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Description/Taste
Burdock root can grow to be small or large in size, averaging two centimeters in diameter and 30-91 centimeters in length, and is very narrow and slender with a straight, carrot-like shape. The rough, thin skin ranges in color from rusty beige to light brown and may be covered in smaller root hairs and marks across the surface. Underneath the skin, the flesh is dense, crisp, and pale white to ivory. Burdock root has a chewy and crunchy consistency with a mild, sweet, and earthy taste similar to artichoke, but the root may also have a slightly astringent or pungent flavor. Above ground, the burdock plant looks very much like a common weed with long-stemmed, large leaves and purple thistle flowers. The stalks and leaves are also edible and have a flavor similar to asparagus.
Seasons/Availability
Burdock root is available year-round, with a peak season in the summer through fall.
Current Facts
Burdock root, botanically classified as Arctium lappa, is the edible, underground portion of a perennial plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Also known by its Japanese name of Gobo or Japanese Burdock, the taproot grows in temperate regions and is used throughout Europe and Asia as both a vegetable and a flavoring agent. Burdock root is often hand-harvested due to its long and slender nature, and it is also used in Asia as a cleansing agent in traditional medicine.
Nutritional Value
Burdock root is a good source of potassium, fiber, amino acids, calcium, and antioxidants, which can help boost immunity within the body. The root is also popularly dried and powdered or made into an oil extract for use as a dietary supplement as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In Chinese medicine, Burdock root is combined with other ingredients to make a sore throat remedy and treatment for colds. It is also considered to be a digestive aid and diuretic.
Applications
Burdock root is best suited for cooked applications such as frying, sautéing, boiling, and baking. The starchy root must be scrubbed and peeled before cooking, and it can also be soaked in acidulated water to prevent oxidation and to remove any astringent taste. Burdock root is a traditional Asian ingredient often found in stews, stir-fry, and braised dishes. The root can be sliced, julienned, or cut into chunks and added to cooked meats as a flavoring agent, added to grain bowls for a nutty, earthy flavor, or pureed into a soup. The root is also sliced into pieces and steeped in boiling water to make a tea. In addition to the root, the leaves and stalks of the plant can be cooked in vegetable dishes, stir-fries, side dishes, and candied, or it can be chopped and added to fresh green salads. Burdock root pairs well with beef, poultry, shishito peppers, sesame seeds, red chiles, shiitake mushrooms, radish, tomatoes, garlic, onions, mirin, soy sauce, miso, and sake. The root will keep up to two weeks when stored whole and unwashed in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Burdock root is especially prevalent in Japanese cuisine and is known as Gobo root. In Japan, the root is often sliced thinly into coin-shaped pieces, fried, and served as a chip-like snack. It is also an essential ingredient in the Japanese dish kinpira, a type of slaw made with julienned Burdock root, carrot, dried chile peppers, and soy sauce. This dish was named after the well-known Japanese hero Kintaro, and Japanese locals believe eating this dish with a hint of spice will give them strength like Kintaro. Burdock root is also commonly pickled in rice vinegar and served alongside or inside of sushi and is served in miso soup with pork.
Geography/History
Burdock root is native to regions of Asia and Eastern Europe and has been growing wild since ancient times. It was then brought to America in the late 1800s where it was considered to be a flowering, sometimes invasive weed growing prolifically along roadsides and fields. Today Burdock root is mainly grown for commercial consumption and is found at specialty markets in Hawaii, California, and Japan, but it can also be found in China, Vietnam, Europe, Canada, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Burdock Root (Gobo). One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Burdock Root (Gobo) 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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Central Co-op
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesAbout 10 days ago, 3/28/20 Sharer's comments : Popular in Chinese medicine, this root is a potent digestive aid and diuretic! 
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Near Campbell, California, United StatesAbout 43 days ago, 2/24/20 Sharer's comments : Very nice. 
Kukje Super Market
Kukje Market
Near Daly City, California, United States2350 Junipero Serra Blvd Daly City CA 94015 650-992-0333 http://www.kukjesupermarket.com About 46 days ago, 2/21/20 
Little Tokyo Market Place
Little Tokyo Marketplace
Near Los Angeles, California, United States333 S Alameda Street #100 Los Angeles CA 90013 213-617-0030 http://www.littletokyomarket.com About 65 days ago, 2/02/20 
Nijiya Market
Nijiya Market - Japanese Village Plaza
Near Los Angeles, California, United States124 Japanese Village Plaza Mall Los Angeles CA 90012 213-680-3280 http://www.nijiya.com About 65 days ago, 2/02/20 
Hollywood Farmer's Market
Stoneboat Farm
Near Portland, Oregon, United StatesHelvetia, OR About 66 days ago, 2/01/20 Sharer's comments : Adds a nice flavor to soups but my favorite use is sliced with some hot water and honey which soothes the common sore throat :) 
Zion Market
Near Irvine, California, United StatesAbout 72 days ago, 1/26/20 
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Costa Mesa
Near South Coast Metro, California, United States665 Paularino Ave. Costa Mesa CA 92626 714-557-6699 https://www.mitsuwa.com About 74 days ago, 1/24/20 
Specialty Produce
Tutti Frutti Organic Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesLompoc, CA 1-805-218-6122 About 82 days ago, 1/16/20 Sharer's comments : Burdock Root! 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Tutti Frutti Organic Produce
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesLompoc, CA 1-805-218-6122 About 83 days ago, 1/15/20 Sharer's comments : Burdock Root at the market! 
Woori Food Market
Woori Market
Near San Francisco, California, United States1528 Filmore Street San Francisco CA 94115 415-673-9887 About 269 days ago, 7/13/19 
Nijiya Market
Nijiya Market - Post St. #333
Near San Francisco, California, United States1737 Post Street #333 San Francisco CA 94115 415-563-1901 About 270 days ago, 7/12/19 
Nijiya Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 336 days ago, 5/07/19 
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 354 days ago, 4/19/19 
Lazy Acres Natural Market
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 381 days ago, 3/23/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh Gobo root! 
Nijiya Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 417 days ago, 2/15/19 Sharer's comments : Burdock Root spotted at Nijiya Market. Cornucopia Near Carmel, California, United States About 432 days ago, 1/31/19 Sharer's comments : Burdock Root spotted at Cornucopia. 
Marukai Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 555 days ago, 9/30/18 Sharer's comments : Burdock Root spotted at Marukai Market. |
