Watercress

Inventory, 12 ct : 20.25
This item was last sold on : 06/01/23

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Description/Taste

Watercress is small to medium in size with many leaflets that grow on thin stems connected to a cluster of roots. The green leaves are ovate to round in shape with scalloped edges, and each stem grows 20-25 centimeters in length and produces approximately 3-9 leaflets. The dark green stems are hollow, crisp, and can gradually creep across water and land. In addition to the leaves, Watercress will also produce small clusters of fragrant white flowers and small pods with edible seeds as it matures. Watercress has a spicy scent and a slightly bitter, peppery, and tangy flavor when fresh. When cooked, the peppery flavor will slightly diminish.

Seasons/Availability

Watercress is available year-round, with a peak season in the spring through early summer.

Current Facts

Watercress, botanically classified as Nasturtium officinale, is a semi-aquatic plant that is a member of the Brassicaceae family along with cabbage, kale, and mustard greens. Also known as Cress, which is a general name for the group of sharply flavored greens, Watercress is a cool-season herb that is used primarily as a lettuce green. Watercress is one of the oldest known consumed leaf vegetables and is still one of the most widely used greens in the world today. Naturalized in pools and streams, Watercress is easily found growing in the wild and is also commercially grown hydroponically. Valued for its sharp, peppery flavor, Watercress is extremely versatile and is used in both fresh and cooked applications.

Nutritional Value

Watercress is an excellent source of vitamin K and also contains vitamins A, C, and E, iron, magnesium, nitrate, phosphorus, riboflavin, potassium, and calcium.

Applications

Watercress is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as wilting and lightly sautéing. The leaves and stems can be used fresh as a garnish, torn and mixed into salads, tossed into pasta, cooked into omelets, ground into pesto, or blended into juices and smoothies. They can also be layered in wraps and sandwiches or sprinkled on top of pizza, casseroles, and mixed into sauces. When cooked, Watercress can be added into soups such as minestrone, sautéed with parmesan cheese and served on top of a baked potato, or lightly wilted and served with cooked meats and vegetables. Watercress pairs well with spinach, asparagus, avocado, beets, carrots, tomatoes, pears, kiwis, oranges, grapefruit, garlic, ginger, leeks, sesame seeds, pine nuts, white wine vinaigrette, orange marmalade, jasmine rice, pork tenderloin, fried eggs, ham, salmon, ricotta cheese, blue cheese, goat cheese, and mozzarella cheese. The leaves and stems are highly perishable and will only keep up to four days when stored in a perforated bag in the refrigerator. The greens can also be stored upright in a glass of water and covered with a bag in the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Watercress has been used in many different cultures throughout centuries for its nutritional properties and medicinal benefits. Served to the Roman and Persian army, many believed Watercress would help increase stamina, freshen breath, and prevent scurvy. In Greece around 400 BCE, Hippocrates also used the green to help reduce symptoms associated with blood disorders and grew the herb near the hospital. In the 19th century, Watercress was nicknamed the “poor man’s bread” as it was widely available in nature and workers would forage for the herb and create a free sandwich.

Geography/History

Watercress is native to Europe and Asia, with documentation of its existence dating back to over three-thousand years ago to Phoenicia, Ancient Greece, and Portugal. Cultivated from a wild plant in Europe, Watercress was introduced to America in the 18th century and became commercially popular in the late 20th century. Today Watercress can be found in the wild, at farmers markets, and specialty grocers in Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, Central America, and South America.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

The Kitchen at MCASD	La Jolla CA	619-894-2051
Lodge at Torrey Pines Main	San Diego CA	858-453-4420
Encontro North Park	San Diego CA	310-955-6333
Little Lion	San Diego CA	619-519-4079
Sabi Juice	Chula Vista CA	213-290-3709
Marriott Marquis North Tower	San Diego CA	619-234-1500
Cody's La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-459-0040
Sepulveda Meats & Provisions	San Diego CA	619-501-1878
insideOUT	San Diego CA	619-888-8623
Kingfisher	San Diego CA	619-861-8074
Georges at the Cove	San Diego CA	858-454-4244
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Bread & Cie Café	San Diego CA	619-683-9322
Artifact at Mingei	San Diego CA	619-846-2164
Rancho Valencia	Del Mar CA	858-756-1123
C 2 C	San Diego CA	619-972-9345
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Pacific Regent La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-597-8008

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Watercress. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Love & Lemons		Watercress Farro Salad with Tart Cherries
Boulder Locavore		Cold Cucumber Noodle Salad with Watercress, Mint and Toasted Sesame-Ginger Dressing
Bring Joy		Roasted Sweet Potato, Quinoa, & Watercress Salad
Down Cakery Lane		Watercress Yogurt Dip
Cook Almost Anything		Watercress Pesto
Stone Soup		Asparagus Ribbons and Watercress Salad
La Tartine Gourmande		Watercress Risotto with Scampi and Scallops
Foodness Gracious		Salmon Pappadelle with Spinach and Watercress Pesto
A Worthey Read		Pineapple, Cucumber, Watercress, Ginger, & Lime Juice
My New Roots		Roasted Red Pepper Chick Peas with Watercress

the other 5...

Nutrition Stripped		The Antioxidant Summer Salad
Cooking Channel		Gingered Watercress
Cannelle et Vanille		Potato, Parsnip and Watercress Tortilla
Donna Hay		Kale and Watercress Pesto
A Spicy Perspective		Grilled Peaches and Watercress Salad

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People have shared Watercress using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

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