Sources:
Enter the
Share Market®
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.
Podcast
Baby kale is simply the term for the delicate leaves of a young, immature kale plant. Almost any kale variety can be harvested at this young stage when the leaves are more mild and tender, though still hardier than most lettuce varieties. Both the petite stems and leaves of Baby kale are edible, with a chewy yet succulent texture and a slightly peppery flavor, similar to arugula.
Baby kale is available year-round.
Baby kale is a member of the Mustard or Cabbage family, and is a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”. Still relatively new so the commercial market, Baby kale is starting to show up more often in fresh salad mixes with other greens, such as baby chard, arugula, spinach, and red or green lettuce.
Baby kale is known to be a nutritional powerhouse and is rich in calcium and iron as well as vitamins A, C and K1. In order to be absorbed in the body vitamin K1 requires fats so be sure to prepare baby kale with a healthy oil or avocado to take full advantage of the nutritional properties. Additionally, Baby kale can help lower cholesterol levels in the body by biding bile acids. Cruciferous vegetables such as baby kale also contain oxalates which are known to interfere with absorption of potassium and calcium, however oxalates are not heat-stable, longer cooking times can decrease their presence.
Baby kale is most often used raw, as its leaves are tender enough to be enjoyed fresh, yet its texture is still sturdy enough to stand up well in cooking. Baby kale can add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, or it can be juiced, wilted, fried, dehydrated, or sautéed. Try topping a flatbread or pizza with Baby kale, or incorporate it into braising greens to add a nutty yet sweet flavor. Baby kale can even be used in lieu of spinach in baked preparations like quiche, lasagna, and enchiladas. Complimentary ingredients include garlic, ginger, fennel, sage, onion, apple, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, robust cheeses, pork, chicken, and white beans. To store Baby kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
In some Northwestern German towns, it is customary to hold a kale tour each January, where you visit a country inn and eat your fair share of kale and sausage, and even crown a local celebrity as "kale king".
Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, and it has been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Baby kale thrives in the fall and spring months, but can be grown year-round. Like mature kale plants, Baby kale can handle cold temperatures, and a good fall frost or cool winter will impart a higher sugar content and result in a better flavor in the plant.
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
the other 54...
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
| Food Buzz: History of Kale | Listen |
Description/Taste
Baby kale is simply the term for the delicate leaves of a young, immature kale plant. Almost any kale variety can be harvested at this young stage when the leaves are more mild and tender, though still hardier than most lettuce varieties. Both the petite stems and leaves of Baby kale are edible, with a chewy yet succulent texture and a slightly peppery flavor, similar to arugula.
Seasons/Availability
Baby kale is available year-round.
Current Facts
Baby kale is a member of the Mustard or Cabbage family, and is a variety of Brassica oleracea known as acephala, meaning “without a head”. Still relatively new so the commercial market, Baby kale is starting to show up more often in fresh salad mixes with other greens, such as baby chard, arugula, spinach, and red or green lettuce.
Nutritional Value
Baby kale is known to be a nutritional powerhouse and is rich in calcium and iron as well as vitamins A, C and K1. In order to be absorbed in the body vitamin K1 requires fats so be sure to prepare baby kale with a healthy oil or avocado to take full advantage of the nutritional properties. Additionally, Baby kale can help lower cholesterol levels in the body by biding bile acids. Cruciferous vegetables such as baby kale also contain oxalates which are known to interfere with absorption of potassium and calcium, however oxalates are not heat-stable, longer cooking times can decrease their presence.
Applications
Baby kale is most often used raw, as its leaves are tender enough to be enjoyed fresh, yet its texture is still sturdy enough to stand up well in cooking. Baby kale can add an earthy flavor to raw salad green mixes, or it can be juiced, wilted, fried, dehydrated, or sautéed. Try topping a flatbread or pizza with Baby kale, or incorporate it into braising greens to add a nutty yet sweet flavor. Baby kale can even be used in lieu of spinach in baked preparations like quiche, lasagna, and enchiladas. Complimentary ingredients include garlic, ginger, fennel, sage, onion, apple, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, robust cheeses, pork, chicken, and white beans. To store Baby kale, wrap the leaves in a loose bundle with a paper towel or a thin cotton kitchen towel, place them in a large, sealable bag, and refrigerate in the crisper drawer for up to a week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In some Northwestern German towns, it is customary to hold a kale tour each January, where you visit a country inn and eat your fair share of kale and sausage, and even crown a local celebrity as "kale king".
Geography/History
Kale is one of the oldest forms of cabbage. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean or Asia Minor, and it has been in cultivation for over 2000 years. Baby kale thrives in the fall and spring months, but can be grown year-round. Like mature kale plants, Baby kale can handle cold temperatures, and a good fall frost or cool winter will impart a higher sugar content and result in a better flavor in the plant.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Backyard Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| 10 Barrel Brewing Co. | San Diego CA | 619-886-2743 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Well Fed | San Diego CA | 619-799-3675 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Galaxy Taco | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
| San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
| Seasalt | Del Mar CA | 858-755-7100 |
| Gaslamp Union Kitchen & Tap | San Diego CA | 619-795-9463 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760-603-3700 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-484-3777 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Marriott Marquis North Tower | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Wonderland Ocean Pub | San Diego CA | 619-255-3358 |
| Ballast Point Restaurant - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| Healthy Creations-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-479-0500 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 619-291-1220 |
| Himitsu | La Jolla CA | 858-345-0220 |
| True North Tavern Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-291-3815 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Morgan Run Resort and Club | Rancho Sante Fe CA | 858-756-2471 |
| Local Tap House & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 760-547-1469 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Enclave | Carlsbad CA | 808-554-4219 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-657-6473 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Feast and Fareway | Coronado CA | 619-356-5444 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-543-2764 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-438-8606 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 760-294-7866 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-241-2856 |
| Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 619-698-3500 |
| Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-925-7552 |
| Rustic Root | San Diego CA | 619-232-1747 |
| Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Miho Gastrotruck Delivery | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| Wheat & Water | La Jolla CA | 858-291-8690 |
| GoodOnYa | Encinitas CA | 858-344-1605 |
| Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-471-0083 |
| One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Pendry SD (Pool House) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Fish 101 Cardiff | Cardiff CA | 760-230-1021 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Donna Jean | San Diego CA | 619-392-0052 |
| Soulshine | San Diego CA | 858-886-7252 |
| Marriot Courtyard Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-291-5270 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-458-9929 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| Larsen's Steakhouse - La Jolla | San Diego CA | 310-407-9937 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
