Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
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.
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| The Mission MB | San Diego CA | 858-488-9060 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| The Mission NP | San Diego CA | 619-220-8992 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Chefs SD | San Diego CA | 619-709-6708 |
| Lafayette Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| The Corner Drafthouse | San Diego CA | 619-255-2631 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-379-2574 |
| The Mission EV | San Diego CA | 619-232-7662 |
| The Pizza Guys | Vista CA | 760-529-7873 |
| Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-670-5807 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Watercress. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Watercress 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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Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market
Kellogg Orchard
Near 4S Ranch Pkwy S & Rancho Bernardo Rd, California, United StatesValley Center, CA About 207 days ago, 10/22/21 
Waitrose & Partners
Waitrose & Partners tenterden
England, United KingdomRecreation Ground Road Sayers Lane 10, Tenterden TN30 6BW, United Kingdom 441580765168 https://waitrose.com About 231 days ago, 9/28/21 
Tesco
Near Faversham, United KingdomAbout 235 days ago, 9/24/21 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
McGrath Family Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 405 days ago, 4/07/21 
PCC Community Markets
PCC Natural Markets - Fremont
Near Seattle, Washington, United States600 N 34th St Seattle WA 98103 206-632-6811 https://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com About 722 days ago, 5/24/20 Sharer's comments : Living watercress - adds a nice peppery flavor to soups and salads! |
