Baby Kale
Estimated Inventory, 2 lb : 66.20
This item was last sold on : 05/09/25
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.
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Junkyard Sports Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-407-8500 |
| HiroNori Ramen | San Diego CA | 619-446-9876 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-777-0700 |
| InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Rose Café | Carlsbad CA | 310-399-0711 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| The Bower | Coronado CA | 619-606-8424 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Kale. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcast
