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Produce Briefs...
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
Gai Lan is believed to be native to China and has been cultivated since ancient times. As cultivation increased, non-heading cabbages were heavily grown in China, and many new varieties were created and introduced into neighboring countries in Asia. 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.
| Monteferante Foods | Vista CA | 310-740-0194 |
| The Fruit Tree | Lake Elsinore CA | 510-847-1391 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
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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GS Supermarket
GS Supermarket
Near Peoria, Arizona, United States5127 W Glendale Ave Glendale AZ 85301 623-374-6233 https://www.999seafoodsupermarket.com About 138 days ago, 1/20/20 
Asiana Market
Asiana Market
Near Tempe, Arizona, United States1135 S Dobson Road Mesa AZ 85002 480-833-3077 About 151 days ago, 1/07/20 
Lams Super Market
Lams Market
Near Phoenix, Arizona, United States3446 W Camelback Road Phoenix AZ 85017 602-249-4188 About 152 days ago, 1/06/20 
Hollywood Farmer's Market
Kong Tao
Near West Hollywood, California, United States1-559-367-4165 About 181 days ago, 12/08/19 Sharer's comments : Amazing 
Wah Nam Hong 華南行 (Wah Nam Hong)
Wah Nam Hong
Near Rotterdam, South Holland, NetherlandsAbout 218 days ago, 11/01/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lon 
Amazing Oriental store
Amazing Oriental
Near Rotterdam, South Holland, NetherlandsAbout 220 days ago, 10/31/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lon 
Buford Highway Farmers Market
Buford HWY Farmers Market
Near Doraville, Georgia, United States5600 Buford HWY NE Doraville GA 30340 770-455-0770 About 287 days ago, 8/24/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lon at Buford Farmers Market 
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 309 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 319 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 319 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 342 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 351 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 351 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 351 days ago, 6/21/19 Sharer's comments : Beautiful 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 396 days ago, 5/07/19 
Atlas World Fresh Market
Near Poway, California, United StatesAbout 400 days ago, 5/03/19 
Hollywood Farmer's Market
Kong Tao
Near West Hollywood, California, United States1-559-367-4165 About 419 days ago, 4/14/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese broccoli. 
World Foods Supermarket
Near Lemon Grove, California, United StatesAbout 431 days ago, 4/02/19 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-930-0815 About 462 days ago, 3/02/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at Virginia Park Farmer's Market. 
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 480 days ago, 2/12/19 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 491 days ago, 2/01/19 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at 99 Ranch Market. Mayflower Restaurant Near Union City, California, United States About 640 days ago, 9/05/18 Sharer's comments : Gai Lan spotted at Mayflower Restaurant. |
