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Choy sum

language culture Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Choy sum is a green leafy vegetable. It is very popular in China and Japan. People call it many different names. In Cantonese, the name means "heart of the vegetable."

Some people also call it yu choy. It is also known as Chinese flowering cabbage. This plant belongs to the mustard family. It is a special part of many meals. People value it for its taste and use.

This plant has a very distinct look. It has bright yellow flowers. Each flower has four oval or round petals. You can see six stamens inside each flower.

The flowers grow on thick, fleshy stems. These stems stand up straight. The green leaves have slightly bumpy edges. They do not form tight heads like cabbage. Instead, the plant has a leafy structure. It can be simple or branched.

Growing this plant follows a natural cycle. It is mostly an annual plant. This means it grows for one season. Most plants do not grow into subshrubs. The plant grows best in specific soil. It likes a pH level between 5.6 and 7.5.

This range means the soil is not too sour. The roots stay near the surface. Most of the roots stay within a small depth and radius. Flowering starts when the plant has 7 to 8 leaves.

Small seeds are a key part of the plant. These seeds grow inside long pods called siliques. A single pod can hold 4 to 46 seeds.

The seeds are small and round. They can be open, brown, or even black. The pods open when they dry out. This process is called dehiscence. This happens through self-pollination or cross-pollination. This is how the plant makes new life.

Cooking choy sum is very easy and fun. You can find it in many different dishes. Many people enjoy it in a warm soup. You can also blanch it in hot water.

Another common way is to stir-fry it. It is a common leafy vegetable in East Asian cooking. It is similar to another plant called gai lan. This vegetable brings a bright green color to the table. It is a wonderful gift from nature.

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