200 seeds Choy Sum, Choi Sum, Yu Choy, Chinese Flowering Cabbage Veggies seeds

Description/Taste Yu choy is a leafy vegetable that produces fleshy stalks 20-30 cm high with oval-shaped leaves. The branching stems are slender, crisp, smooth, and pale green, and attached to the stems are broad and flat, dark green leaves that have prominent veining spanning across the surface. There are also small, bright yellow flowers that first appear as green buds in loosely compacted clusters of 10-20 buds. The leaves, stems, and flowers of Yu choy are all edible and have a crunchy, tender consistency. Yu choy has a sweet, green taste similar to baby spinach, with subtle bitter and peppery notes. 

Seasons/Availability Yu choy is available year-round, with a peak season in the spring through fall. 

Current Facts Yu choy is botanically a member of the Brassicaceae family, also known as the cabbage or mustard family, and is a flowering vegetable favored for its sweet, green taste. Many different varieties are labeled generally under Yu choy, including Mongolian, Wa Wa choy, Humon, Red Stem, and Mui, and these varieties vary in size, color, and leaf shape. Yu choy is also harvested at many different stages, giving it a varying appearance when sold at fresh markets. Known by many different names including Yau choy, Yu chai, Green choy sum, and Choy sum, Yu choy is cultivated for its edible leaves, stalks, and flowers and is predominately utilized in Asian cuisine as a lightly cooked side dish. 

Nutritional Value Yu choy is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that help repair damage within the skin and fight against free radicals. The greens are also a good source of calcium and contain some potassium and iron. 

Applications Yu choy is best suited for raw or lightly cooked applications such as sauteing, blanching, steaming, or stir-frying. When fresh, the greens can be added raw into salads, and the young leaves and sprouts are mainly used. Though the greens can be used fresh, Yu choy is predominately utilized in cooked dishes, especially in Asian cuisine, and can be mixed into soups, steamed or sauteed and added into noodle dishes, or stir-fried with light sauces or chicken broth for a crisp and tender side dish. Yu choy is also increasing in popularity in Asian fusion dishes and is roasted and blended into pesto, served with potatoes and American wagyu, or mixed into flavored rice dishes with gremolata, pickled onions, and other unique ingredients. Yu choy pairs well with garlic, sesame, lemon, chicken stock, soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, mushrooms, onions, squash, and meats such as poultry and pork. The stalks and leaves will keep 3-5 days when stored unwashed in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.