Availability: All Year Around
What to look out for
When in your local grocery shop, try to look for the ones that presents vibrant colours with a firm to touch stems. They should have small, smooth and tender heads.
Avoid Pak Choi that presents yellow and soft spots or wilting. Also, try to avoid the ones that presents droopy leaves and stems.
Storage
Pak Choi can be stored into 3 different ways:
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- Counter: It’s possible to keep it over the counter for a day or two, as long as the Pak Choi is placed inside a jar with water upright.
- Fridge: The easiest way to store the vegetable is placing in the fridge wrapped by a perforated plastic bag. The vegetable will keep fresh for as long as 4 to 5 days.
- Freezer: Before placing the vegetable inside the freezer, a few steps must be taken:
- Wash properly and throughly the leaves.
- Blanch the whole bunch for about 2 minutes. Then immediately add the bunch into a bowl with ice cold water.
- Remove the excess humidity and dry completely the leaves. Place the vegetable inside a freezer friendly container or bag. It can last up to 6 months into the freezer.
Benefits
Prevention of Cancer
Pak Choi is known for possessing several cancer-fighting compounds such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and folate. These compounds are mighty antioxidants that can help in fighting free-radicals inside the body, thus lowering the risks of possible cancer development.
Help with Inflammation
Another important compound that Pak Choi contains is Quercetin. This compound is responsible for reducing body’s inflammation, therefore reducing the overall development of other chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Promote Heart Health
As the vegetable have high levels of potassium, magnesium, and calcium, these same compounds help to reduce the pressure of the blood naturally.
May Help with Bone Health
Vitamin K is an essential vitamin for bones since it helps to keep the bones healthy and strong. This vitamin is highly found inside the Pak Choi.
Can Support Eyes Health
The vegetable is also wealthy in terms of Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene, two important compounds in keeping our eyes health and lowering the risks of age-related eye diseases.