Pesticide Free Home Grown Cai Xin produce by DERRICK-GREEN

Choi Sum (Brassica parachinensis) is a member of the Mustard family is also referred to as a flowering pak choy or choy sum. Its green leaves are juicy and tender. If allowed to mature and bolt, yellow flowers will shoot and the plant becomes sweeter and more succulent. The whole plant is edible.

Choi Sum is one of the most popular vegetables among the Chinese and is probably the most popular vegetable in Hong Kong. It is now also widely used in the western world.

The flowering shoots and younger leaves of Choi Sum are used in salads or stir-fried, lightly boiled or steamed and added to meat. Choi Sum is rich in carotene (pro-vitamin A), calcium and dietary fibre, it also provides potassium and folic acid.

The flavour itself can be described as midway between cabbage and spinach. Choi Sum tends to be blander and closer in taste to cabbage in younger leaves, and develops a little 'kick' in its older leaves. It is reputedly very nutritious, and in particular, is said to be rich in calcium.

Other Names

Tsoi sum and cai xin (Chinese), cai ngot (Vietnamese), pakauyai or pakaukeo (Thai), saishin (Japanese), Chinese soup green, white flowering cabbage, mosk pak choy (English), Yau Choy, Yu Cai (Yeou Tsai), Chinese flowering cabbage oil greens, Yu Toy, and False Pak Choi.

Cooking Methods

Whole young leaves and stems, parts of larger leaves, and flowering shoots can be used in making salads. Choi Sum can be lightly boil, steam, stir-fry, combined with other greens and used in soups.

Cut off any woody portions of the stems and then slice the remaining stems and leaves into bite size pieces. Avoid steaming unless you prefer a very bitter taste. Lemon juice, garlic and red pepper flakes are great additions.

When storing Choi Sum cut off the thick stems below the twist tie. Then remove the twist tie from the stems to extend storage life. The tight ties can cause the stems to break down. Line a plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Although best eaten when fresh, Choi Sum can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

Popular dishes: Chilli beef and Choi Sum, Sichuan beef with Choi Sum, Choi Sum and lamb with vegetable chunks, Hokkien noodles with fired tofu, choi sum and prawns and Stir-fried cauliflower, choi sum, and beans (pad pak ruam).

Pesticide free Home Grown Jie Lan produce by DERRICK-GREEN

Products - Kai Lan (Brassica alboglabra) 

Kai Lan (Brassica alboglabra), also commonly known as "Chinese Broccoli", is part of the mustard family, similar to that of the European Broccoli. The youngest plant parts are preferred, as they are the sweetest and most tender part of the plant. Kai Lan can be eaten fresh or boiled, steamed or fried.

It is a stout plant, with most varieties growing to about 18inc (45cm) when mature. It has flat and broad leaves, and stalks that are thick and sturdy. Unlike their European counterparts, the Chinese Broccoli has loose buds that do not form a part of a large head. The flower stems are chunky, succulent and very smooth on average 1/2 to 3/4 in (1-2cm) in diameter. The whole flowering shoot is much "meatier" then the Choi Sum shoots.

Kai Lan is essentially green or a distinct blue-green, although most varieties have a slight grey, waxy outer look. Depending on the variety they can be dull or glossy, smooth or wrinkled, round or narrow and pointed.

Although it is a perennial plant, commercially it is grown as an annual crop. It can spreads up to 40 cm in diameter and can reach 45 cm in height. Kai Lan has some frost tolerance and can be grown all year round. However, it is vital to select the right variety for the time of year. Trials that have been conducted indicate that late Spring and Summer are the best times to grow Kai Lan. The growth of Kai Lan is very slow from Autumn onwards.

Other Names

Chinese Broccoli, Chinese Kale, Jie Lan, Gai Lan and leaf broccoli.

Cooking Methods

Kai Lan is generally cooked in much the same way as Choi Sum usually stir-fried, either on its own or with meat and prawns.

Pictures of Lettuce

Pesticide free Home Grown Lettuce produce by Derrick-Green.

Summary of Benefits

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What is Wheat Grass?

It is the first stage of life eventually grows into the grain we use in bread and baked goods. Since it is a vegetable and not a grain, it doesn't contain gluten. This means it is a safe food, even for those with wheat allergies.
Popularized in the 1970's by Dr. Ann Wigmore, tray-grown wheatgrass juice has become a familiar product and natural food. The juice has been associated with many health benefits such as vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll in the growth process. Wheatgrass Juices is believe to be a premium living food for everybody living on earth. .

Uses for Wheatgrass

Chlorophyll "concentrated sun power." Chlorophyll increases function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the uterus, the intestine and the lungs. Body cleanser, rebuilder and neutralizer of toxins. Help dissolve scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effects of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production. educe high blood pressure as the juice helps to reduce toxins from the body and gives the blood iron which helps circulation. It purifies the blood. It acts as a detergent on the body. Helps overcome dandruff. Rub the juice into the scalp, rinse and shampoo. Douche with wheatgrass juice for vaginal infections. It can help prevent tooth decay Hold it in the mouth for 5 minutes to relieve toothaches. It helps relieve soar throats. Pyorrhea of the mouth - take wheatgrass, soaked in juice for 5 minutes, and apply to diseased area; or chew it in the mouth until it is dry and spit the pulp out. Wheatgrass juice and living foods overcome skin troubles. It can be used as a sterilizer. When combined with easy-to-digest nourishment, it can keep hair from graying. Use it as a source of fresh, alive vitamins for total health. Use it especially for it's protection and healing power. It gives strength, health, spirituality and well-being. It helps build a clean bloodstream and aids in proper digestion. It is an excellent mouthwash and draws out toxins from the gums and teeth. Combined with living foods, it is great for blood disorders of all kinds including anemia. It is an excellent skin cleanser and beautifier. Pour the juice over you in a tub of warm water. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes and rinse off with a cold shower. After an enema, wheatgrass juice implants are great for healing and detoxifying the colon walls, as well as cleansing the internal organs. Wheatgrass juice is excellent in a case of constipation in keeping the bowels open. It disinfects and cleans out bacteria and viruses. It has beneficial effects on the capillaries It helps overcome aging and gives energy to the sex hormones. It can overcome radiation from the television and computer screens, pollution, and odors in the home. It neutralizes harmful inorganic molecules. Fruits and vegetables contaminated by sprays can be cleansed with wheatgrass placed in the rinse water. Toxic metals - lead, cadmium, mercury, aluminum, and excessive amounts of copper- can be successfully removed with small amounts of wheatgrass juice, in increasing dosages. Wheatgrass is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin A and vitamin C. It is also excellent source of calcium iron magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur, cobalt, zinc, and protein. Wheatgrass juice builds up the white blood cells through its cleansing energy and nutritional value, when combined with a diet of organically grown living foods.