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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Gai Lan can vary in size and shape, depending on the variety, but typically bears long, fleshy stalks with wide and flat leaves, averaging twenty centers in length. The thick stems are pale green, smooth, and crunchy, and the broad, variegated, blue-green to dark green, waxy leaves are semi-glossy with prominent veining. As the plant matures, it develops small, edible flower buds that will eventually open and bloom white flowers, and the entire plant is harvested when young for its crisp and tender consistency. Gai Lan has a similar, but slightly stronger flavor to broccoli and is bitter-sweet with a green, vegetal flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Gai Lan is available year-round.
Current Facts
Gai Lan, botanically classified as Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra, are thick-stemmed plants that are members of the Brassicaceae family along with kale, collard greens, broccoli, and cauliflower. Also known as Kai Lan in Cantonese, Chinese Kale and Chinese Broccoli in English, and Jie Lan in Mandarin, there are many different varieties of Gai Lan sold through fresh markets, specialty grocers, and seed catalogs. Gai Lan is one of the most popular vegetables found across Asia and is favored for its thick, tender stems and bitter-sweet flavor. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, stems, flower buds, and flowers are edible, and Gai Lan is primarily utilized in Asian stir-fries, soups, and as a side dish.
Nutritional Value
Gai Lan is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, calcium, and folate. It also contains some antioxidants such as beta-carotene and lutein, and vitamins K and B9.
Applications
Gai Lan can be consumed raw, but it has a slightly bitter taste and is more commonly cooked with aromatics or light sauces to help balance out the flavor. Associated with Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Burmese cooking, Gai Lan can be stir-fried, boiled, blanched, braised, or steamed. The leaves and stems can be stir-fried with other vegetables, mixed into noodle soups, or lightly sautéed and served with savory main dishes. The greens can also be used as a wrap for cooked meats, herbs, and sauces, mixed into pot pies, or blended into green juices and smoothies. Gai Lan pairs well with sauces such as oyster or soy, garlic, ginger, meats such as pork belly and beef, fish such as mahi-mahi and salmon, mushrooms, pasta, rice, walnuts, red pepper, and basil. Fresh leaves and stems will keep 4-7 days when stored unwashed, in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Gai Lan can also be blanched and stored in the freezer for up to one year.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In China, Gai Lan is one of the most commonly consumed table vegetables, but it is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to help treat anemia, soothe sore throats, and reduce phlegm. In Chinese medicine, five elements are used to describe the organs in the body, including water, wood, metal, fire, and earth that need to remain in balance. Gai Lan is believed to help the fire organs, which consist mainly of the heart and small intestine, to function correctly. The bitter flavor of Gai Lan is believed to help increase digestion and also detox the body.
Geography/History
Plants of the Brassicaceae family were originally native to Southern Europe and were then introduced to China via Portuguese traders and explorers over two-thousand years ago. Since their introduction, the plants of the Brassicaceae family were heavily cultivated in Asia, and many new varieties were created in China, such as Gai Lan. Today Gai Lan is one of the most popular vegetables found at local markets across Asia and Southeast Asia, and it can also be found at specialty grocers and Asian markets in Europe, Australia, and the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Supannee House of Thai | San Diego CA | 619-795-8424 |
| Paradise Point Resort Tidal | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| AToN Center Inc. | Encinitas CA | 858-759-5017 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-373-3184 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| The Florence | San Diego CA | 858-433-1545 |
| Dija Mara | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Gai Lan. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Gai Lan using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing 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.
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San Pablo International Supermarket
San Pablo Supermarket
Near San Pablo, California, United States2368 El Portal Drive San Pablo CA 94806 510-215-0888 www.shunfatsupermarket.com About 18 days ago, 8/02/19 
Mekong
Mekong Seafood Market, Inc.
Near Santa Rosa, California, United States206 Sebastopol Road Santa Rosa CA 95407 707-544-6201 About 29 days ago, 7/23/19 
Asian Food Mart
Asian Food Market
Near Santa Rosa, California, United States3080 Marlow Road Santa Rosa CA 95403 707-540-0499 About 29 days ago, 7/23/19 
99 Ranch
99 Ranch Market - McKinley St
Near Corona, California, United States430 McKinley St Corona CA 92879 951-898-8899 About 51 days ago, 6/30/19 
Tokyo Central
Tokyo Central
Near South Coast Metro, California, United States2975 Harbor Blvd. Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-751-8433 About 61 days ago, 6/21/19 
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Costa Mesa
Near South Coast Metro, California, United States665 Paularino Ave. Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-557-6699 About 61 days ago, 6/21/19 
Seiwa Market
Seiwa Market
Near South Coast Metro, California, United States3151 Harbor Blvd. Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-852-6980 About 61 days ago, 6/21/19 Sharer's comments : Beautiful 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 106 days ago, 5/07/19 
Atlas World Fresh Market
Near Poway, California, United StatesAbout 110 days ago, 5/03/19 
Hollywood Farmer's Market
Kong Tao
Near West Hollywood, California, United States1-559-367-4165 About 129 days ago, 4/14/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese broccoli. 
World Foods Supermarket
Near Lemon Grove, California, United StatesAbout 141 days ago, 4/02/19 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-930-0815 About 171 days ago, 3/02/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at Virginia Park Farmer's Market. 
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 189 days ago, 2/12/19 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 200 days ago, 2/01/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at 99 Ranch Market. Mayflower Restaurant Near Union City, California, United States About 349 days ago, 9/05/18 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at Mayflower Restaurant. Asian Food Center Near Shoreline, Washington, United States About 477 days ago, 4/30/18 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at Asian Food Center. 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Thao's Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United States4495 S. Hughes Ave. Fresno 93706 559-261-5205 About 522 days ago, 3/17/18 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at Virginia Park Farmer's Market. |
