Produce Briefs...
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Mizuna is available year round with a peak season in the fall.
Current Facts
Mizuna, scientific name, Brassica rapa nipponosica, is a cool season Japanese mustard green that has a similar appearance as wild arugula. It belongs to the Brassica rapa family, which is constituted of field mustards and oil producing crops such as rapeseed. There are at least sixteen known varieties of Mizuna, differing in textures, colors and flavor profiles. In North America, Mizuna is considered a specialty green and thus, has limited commercial exposure outside of Asian markets and farmers markets.
Description/Taste
Mizuna is has long, broad, serrated and deeply cut satin finished leaves with thin trailing stems that meet at its root base. Mizuna's flavors can be characterized as piquant and bright with a subtle earthiness.
Nutritional Value
The dark chlorophyll-laden green leaves of Mizuna offer most of the plant's nutrition which provide beta carotene, vitamins and minerals.
Applications
Mizuna's most appropriate use is as an ingredient within salads, yet it can also be cooked. The stalks and leaves should be separated and cooked independently due to invariably different cook times. Mizuna is a common stir fry and soup ingredient and it can be adapted to most recipes calling for mustard greens or even cabbage. More modern and atypical uses include adding the leaves as a topping to pizza, tossed into pasta, blending into a pesto and adding to a sandwich or burger. Companion ingredients include apples, pears, peaches, figs, citrus, nuts, light bodied vinegars, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, chiles, basil, mint, bacon, cream, hard aged and melting cheeses, tomatoes, zucchini and grains such as farro and wild rice.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Japan, Mizuna is often pickled. The leafy parts are salted and chopped, then stirred into rice. Stalk pieces are steeped in salt, sugar and rice vinegar for roughly 48 hours and then served as an appetizer or small bite with cold beer.
Geography/History
Mizuna is native to China, though it is considered a Japanese green as it has been cultivated there for several centuries. It has been naturalized in continental Asia and in both temperate and cold-hardy climates throughout the world. It can tolerate sub-zero temperatures, extensive rain and even heat, thus it can be cultivated year round. It can be harvested within 6 weeks of sowing, another growing advantage.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Indulge Contemporary Catering | San Diego CA | 858-270-5700 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Sora Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-564-7100 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Barbarella | San Diego CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Searsucker | San Diego CA | 619-233-7327 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Baja Asiatio | Tijuana CA | 619-890-4448 |
| Currant | San Diego CA | 619-702-6309 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| Gaijin Noodle & Sake House | San Diego CA | 858-246-7782 |
| Table 926 | San Diego CA | 858-539-0926 |
| Quality Social | San Diego CA | 619-501-7675 |
| Handlery Hotel & Resort | San Diego CA | 619-298-0511 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Marriott Marquis & Marina San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Mizuna Lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Mizuna Lettuce using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
|
morrisons Near Dudley, United Kingdom About 45 days ago Mack Asian Cuisine By Chans Near Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico About 117 days ago Spotter's comments : Mizuna salad with Mandarin oranges and dressing! Delicious!! |
