The Complete Guide to 10 Varieties of Kale
- Curly Kale. One of the most common varieties of kale you can find at the grocery store is curly kale. ...
- Lacinato Kale. Another common kale variety is lacinato kale, also called Tuscan kale or dinosaur kale. ...
- Red Russian Kale. ...
- Siberian Kale. ...
- Redbor Kale. ...
- Chinese Kale. ...
- Baby Kale. ...
- Portuguese Kale. ...
- Prizm Kale. ...
- Ornamental Kale. ...
Full Answer
What is the healthiest type of Kale?
What Is Kale?
- Breaking Down Greens. Kale is a cruciferous vegetable from the mustard family, which includes vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, but it's most closely related to cabbage.
- Health Benefits of Kale. One of the other reasons kale is so popular is that it's low in carbs and calories. ...
- Most Common Types of Kale. ...
- Cooking with Kale. ...
How many cups of Kale equals one serving?
The serving size for all cooked veggies (fresh, frozen and canned) is ½ cup. If you start your morning with fresh veggie juice made with kale or spinach or use it as a pick-me-up later in the day, you should also stick to a ½-cup serving.
How many different types of kakapo are there?
Males (111)
- Acheron – hatched: 2019; mother: Kuia, father: Tamahou.
- Ariki – hatched: 2002; mother: Sara, father: Waynebo.
- Attenborough – hatched: 2016; mother: Pearl, father Felix.
- Awhero – hatched: 2009; mother: Heather, father: Blades.
How many Perk-a-Colas are there?
There are 13 Perk-a-Colas in total, however, players can only limit themselves to four Perks, unless special methods are used.
Which type of kale is the healthiest?
Curly Kale "This kale, as most kale, is high in potassium, vitamin B6, and many other antioxidants; has a very peppery taste; and is slightly bitter/tangy," says registered dietitian Mariana Daniela Torchia, Ph. D. Like all other kales, it's also high in vitamins K, C, and B as well as fiber and antioxidants.
Which type of kale is best?
13 of the Best Kale VarietiesRedbor.Red Russian.Red Ursa.Red Winter.Scarlet.Tronchuda Beira Hybrid.Vates Blue Scots Curled.White Russian.More items...•
Are there 2 types of kale?
The most common variety is deep green, but other kales are yellow-green, white, red, or purple, with either flat or ruffled leaves, according to Berkeley Wellness at University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health.
What is the most popular kale?
Curly Kale It's kale's most common variety, and like the name advertises, has wavy, curly edges on each leaf. Being the most common, it's earned the reputation as overplayed, but we think it's actually a bit underrated.
What type of kale is sold in grocery stores?
Three types of kale are commonly available in supermarkets—black (also known as dinosaur, cavolo nero, Lacinato, or Tuscan), curly (also known as Scottish or green), and red (also known as Russian Red or Winter Red).
What's the difference between purple kale and green kale?
Purple kale produces serrated and ruffled vibrant purple leaves that are variegated in shades of dusty green. This attractive vegetable offers a very robust cabbage flavor more intense than that of green or black kale.
What is healthier kale or spinach?
The Bottom Line. Kale and spinach are highly nutritious and and associated with several benefits. While kale offers more than twice the amount of vitamin C as spinach, spinach provides more folate and vitamins A and K. Both are linked to improved heart health, increased weight loss, and protection against disease.
Is baby kale better than regular kale?
There's no conclusive evidence that baby greens are better for you than their mature counterparts, but some research does suggest they outperform on certain nutrient scores. All leafy greens are excellent sources of vitamin C, bone-strengthening vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Can you eat all types of kale?
As a result, the ornamental stuff is much less flavorful than the “edible” culinary leafy greens. However, the leaves of these varieties are safe to eat. Just make sure to stay away from the roots, which are poisonous in any type of kale.
Which kale is most bitter?
Curly Kale Curly leafed kale is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of kale. The bright-green leaves are sometimes curled so tightly it can be hard to chop them. This kind of kale tends to have a bright, peppery flavor that can become quite bitter.
What is the difference between red and green kale?
Red kale Red kale has a slightly different appearance from curly kale. Its leaves may appear deep red or grayish green. Lacinato/dinosaur kale This type of kale has a deeper color, with leaves that are a dark bluish-green. This type of kale is more tender than curly or red kale, making it easier to eat raw.
What is the difference between kale and curly kale?
A member of the cabbage family, kale comes in two forms: kale, which has smooth leaves, and curly kale, which has crinkly leaves. Curly kale is the most common of the two.
Where does kale come from?
Lacinato kale originated from Italy, and its earliest record was in the 18th century. It is another kale chips variety but can also be roasted, steamed, or sautéed. Its health benefits include lowering cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation, and reducing the risk of certain cancers.
How big does kale grow?
They can grow up to 30 inches tall and a foot wide when mature. Because of its height, it is best suited for the middle or back of your flowerbeds. Proper spacing is required because of its size. This beautiful kale will properly adorn your garden that you’ll start having second thoughts when you want to harvest.
What is the best kale to use for chips?
1. Curly Kale. This is one of the most popular kale varieties used to make chips and design meals in restaurants. They are rich in potassium, antioxidants and vitamin B6, fiber, vitamins K and C. This kale has a slightly tangy feel and a peppery taste. It is the common kale you’ll find in grocery stores.
How tall is a kale plant?
At 3 feet tall, this variety is larger than the typical kale plant. Its stems are purple while its oak shaped leaves are grey-green. Its large leaves are tender and delicious but become sweeter after frost. Because of its tenderness, this kale variety is mostly used in salads or lightly cooked.
How tall does a walking stick kale grow?
This kale has a long, straight, sturdy stem with the top covered with green leaves. It can grow up to 6 feet tall, and its stem can be used as a cane or a walking stick after being dried and adequately laminated.
What is the best vegetable for detox?
Kale is a vegetable in the cruciferous family known for its medicinal nature and ability to aid detoxification. They are also able to reduce the risk of getting certain cancers considerably. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are some of the other veggies in this family.
When is the best time to grow kale?
Because of its tenderness, this kale variety is mostly used in salads or lightly cooked. They are cold hardy and are therefore best grown in spring or fall. 4. Siberian Kale. The Siberian kale is a unique type of kale species and is more similar to rutabagas and rapeseeds than other kale varieties.
Common Curly Kale
This is the type of kale you usually see in the grocery store. It’s a pale to deep green with large, frilly-edged leaves and long stems. It’s often sold as loose leaves bound together, even though it grows as a loose head. Put it in salad (using our softening tips), sauté, toss it in a hearty bean soup, or blend it in a fruit smoothie.
Lacinato Kale (Dinosaur Kale, Tuscan Kale, Cavolo Nero)
This Italian variety of kale was grown by Thomas Jefferson in his garden at Monticello, according to Berkley Wellness. The dark blue-green, slender, long leaves have none of the curls and frills common in kales. Rather, the leaves are rumpled and puckered like savoy cabbage and curled under along the entire margin, DeJohn says.
Ornamental (Salad Savoy)
Frilly and fluffy, ranging in color from white to pink and to purple to magenta, this colorful variety is used on buffet tables for displays. It forms a rosette, which looks like an opened-up flower. While its leaves are somewhat coarse, it is edible. Try it as a way to add color and texture to your plate. Or a garnish, if you’re entertaining.
Red Russian (Ragged Jack)
This kale heirloom looks like overgrown oak leaves in colors ranging from blue-green to purple-red. It’s essentially a rutabaga developed for its top growth rather than its root, DeJohn says. Among its major advantages, it tastes good (semi-sweet) raw in salads, and looks pretty too. Cold weather intensifies its color.
Chinese Kale (Chinese Broccoli, Kailaan, or Gai Lan)
Chinese kale can be substituted for regular broccoli in many recipes. High in calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, it’s very popular for stir-fry dishes; you can also steam or boil it. Try Chinese kale in our Basic Skillet Kale recipe.
Siberian Kale
One of the most cold-hardy varieties available (go figure), Siberian kale has enormous leaves and can take quite a beating from cold or pests, according to One Green Planet. It has gray-green ruffled leaves and is grown as a winter crop in the southern United States. This kale is better when cooked.
Redbor Kale
The stunning 3-foot-tall hybrid can be both ornamental and edible. Its mass of well-curled reddish leaves with deep purple veins turns a solid, deep violet in cool weather, DeJohn says. Redbor is a great plant for an ornamental garden, where you occasionally pluck off few leaves to use as edible plate decor.
What is Kale Plant?
Kale belongs to the cruciferous family, which is the same family that includes cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, and cauliflower. Many people believe that it’s in the same family as lettuce, but it’s a much harder vegetable than lettuce.
Why You Should Grow Kale in Your Garden
If you’ve never grown kale before, you might wonder why you should even consider growing it in your garden. Does it really deserve a spot in your garden?
The 12 Best Kale Varieties To Grow In Your Garden
When you go to the grocery store, you typically only see one, maybe two, types of kale, but there are more out there! Each type of kale has a unique look, texture, and taste, and they are all used in different ways in the kitchen.
Try Growing Kale This Year
If you’ve never tried to grow kale or other leafy greens in your garden, this is the year to consider growing different types of kale.
What is the most common type of kale?
It is also the most commonly found kale variety in numerous grocery stores and at restaurants. Curly kale is known for its pale to deep green color and those large, tight-ruffled leaves with frilly edges and long stems.
What is kale edible?
Kale is a loose-leafed edible plant and is an ancient member of the Brassica family, which also includes numerous other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
Why is curly kale used in salads?
It is also featured in a lot of salads because of its mild pungent flavor that greatly enhances the overall taste of the food.
How tall does Chinese kale get?
Chinese kale is found in two main varieties, one that has yellow flowers and another that has white flowers. The latter type of Chinese kale grows almost 19 inches tall while the former type grows only 8 inches tall. Chinese kale or Chinese broccoli is basically a leafy green that is majorly a part of the cabbage family.
Why is kale so popular?
One of the many reasons that led to kale’s popularity all across the world is the fact that it doesn’t just come in one variety, but there are several varieties of this delicious and nutrient-rich vegetable. From red kale to baby kale, each variety is unique in terms of their appearance, taste, and benefits.
How tall does a walking stick kale grow?
As evident from the name, the Walking Stick Kale is quite an unusual type of kale. One of the best ways to identify this plant in any garden is through its height since it grows over 6 feet tall! The unique name of this kale actually comes from the fact that its long stems can be dried properly, laminated, and then used as a sturdy walking stick or even a cane!
Why is kale called walking stick cabbage?
This kale variety is also often referred to as ‘ walking stick cabbage’ because its leaves sometimes look like a fluff of cabbage. As impressive as the size of this vegetable plant is, it also requires a greater amount of care and attention when growing it as compared to other kale varieties.
What is the color of kale?
Depending on the specific variety and when it is harvested, it may have deep red-hued leave s and stems, or just ruddy-colored stems and grey-green leave s.
What is Tuscan Kale?
Tuscan Kale aka Lacinato Kale aka Dinosaur Kale. It goes by a lot of different names, but whatever you want to call it, this is our rock. This is our favorite child. This is the kale we love to cook—and not cook—the most.
What is kale wavy?
This stuff is everywhere. It’s kale’s most common variety, and like the name advertises, has wavy, curly edges on each leaf. Being the most common, it’s earned the reputation as overplayed, but we think it’s actually a bit underrated. After stripping the leaves from those tough, fibrous stems, it’s great sautéed with a bit of garlic or slow-simmered in oil, and even roasted alongside proteins or other vegetables. The curly edges crisp up beautifully when exposed to the oven's dry heat, and they taste great when cooked in an almost-dry skillet. It's a little bit tough compared to other varieties, so if you're going to eat it raw, it needs to be gently massaged with a bit of salt and acid like lemon juice or vinegar; that said, when treated properly, it lends a delicate, feathery texture to salads, and those crinkly edges make for a dramatic presentation.
Can you cook kale in a plastic tub?
You're probably more likely to find this in a plastic tub with the salad greens, which is a good clue as to how it wants to be treated. Don’t cook it as long as you would mature kale—if you're going to cook it at all; we don't—and definitely don’t massage its tender leaves unless you want green mush in your salad.
Is baby kale good for salad?
Baby kale’s flavor isn’t as strong, so be gentle. Instead of using this as a base, we like baby kale as a supplement to other greens in salads. It gets you a hit of the kale flavor and those dark leafy green nutrients without the need to commit completely. Kale and brussels sprouts belong together.
Is kale hearty?
You should be familiar with the most commonly available types of kale, so the next time you're shopping for the stuff you'll know exactly which kind you should pick up for a given recipe. Here's what you'll come across ...
Is kale more tender than curly kale?
It has a deeper color and is slightly thinner and more tender than curly kale, making it more versatile —it cooks more quickly and requires less massaging for use in raw preparations. Slow cook it. Remove the stems and use it in a salad or slice it into strips to make a slaw.
Defining Types of Kale
Kale is in the cruciferous family, and this is the same family that includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and collard greens. A lot of people mistakenly think that it’s also in the same family as lettuce, but it’s a much harder vegetable. Even though kale saw a very steep rise to popularity, there are several good reasons behind it.
Biggest Reasons to Grow Types of Kale in Your Garden
If you’ve never grown kale in your garden, you may wonder if it’s worth it to add it in. We’ve touched on how healthy different types of kale are for you, but there are more reasons than that to consider giving it a spot. A few include:
Kale History
Kale is an edible, loose-leafed plant that has an ancient history. It’s a member of the Brassica family, and this family also includes a host of other cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Kale’s origins are over 2,000 years old as it was one of the most widely eaten green vegetables in the middle ages.
Curled Leaf Kales vs Flat Leaf Kale
You can divide most types of kale into a curled or flat leaf type. The one you typically see in the store is the curled leaf variety, but flat leaf is actually easier to work with when it comes to chopping.
13 Types of Kale
Now that you know a little bit about kale in general, we’re going to outline 13 popular types of kale for you to consider adding to your garden. Each one offers a slightly different taste and look.
How to Use Different Types of Kale
Once you pick out a few types of kale, you want to know how to use them. Some work better for certain dishes due to their tough texture, but others are much more versatile. You can use the following for inspiration.
Bottom Line
We’ve outlined 13 different types of kale for you in this post, and we’ve also given you ideas on how to use them. You can now mix and match a few different ones in your garden and see how they can enhance your dishes when you cook with them.
