What is kangkong or water spinach?
Kangkong or water spinach is one of the very familiar green leafy vegetables used in the South and South-East Asian cuisine. Its gently sweet, mucilaginous, succulent leaves and stems are very much sought-after in the salads, braised and stir-fries.
What is the other name of kangkong?
Keep reading this article to learn How To Grow Kangkong. Other Names: Ipomoea aquatica, Kangkung, river spinach, water morning glory, water convolvulus, Chinese spinach, Chinese Watercress,Chinese convolvulus, swamp cabbage, phak bung, ong choy, kongxincai, rau muống, kangkong, trokuon, kalmi saag, kalmi shak, Thooti Koora, kangkung, hayoyo
Can you grow kangkong from scraps?
So, you want to grow kangkong from scraps or seeds at home. This delicious water spinach is a juicy, nutritious, versatile leafy that can be used in a variety of dishes. Popular in Southeast Asian countries, kangkong (water spinach) is easy to grow and can be harvested for a year-round supply of greens.
Is kangkong good for weight loss?
Kangkong helps in losing weight as it is low in calories and rich in vitamins. Fresh leaves of water spinach are effective in controlling cholesterol levels. Dieticians recommend this veggie due to its anti-oxidant and low-fat properties. Vitamin C and antioxidants present in the water spinach can moisturize your skin and hair.
See more
Is water spinach the same as spinach?
Despite its name, water spinach is not really spinach, nor is it related to spinach. It's also not part of the brassica family, so it's also unrelated to kale and its bitter leafy green ilk.
Is water spinach better than spinach?
Summary. Spinach contains four times more dietary fiber than watercress. Spinach contains 21.5 times more folate, five times more zinc, and 15 times more iron. It is also richer in most of the B complex vitamins, vitamins A, E, and K, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper.
What is kangkong in English?
kangkong (uncountable) Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), grown for food in parts of Southeast Asia.
Can I use spinach instead of kangkong in sinigang?
Kangkong is still best for sinigang. However, spinach is the best alternative ingredient that I can find here at this time. You can add this to your collection of pork chop recipes . Try this Pork Chop Sinigang Recipe.
What is spinach called in Philippines?
AlugbatiBasella alba, or Malabar spinach, Malabar nightshade, Alugbati or Alabati in Philippines, (also Phooi leaf, Red vine spinach, Creeping spinach, Climbing spinach, Indian spinach, Philippine Spinach, Asian Spinach) is a perennial vine found in the tropics where it is widely used as a leaf vegetable.
What is the benefit of kangkong?
The nutrients in kangkong is almost equal to milk, banana and orange. It can reduce blood pressure, gives immunity to cancer, improve vision, boost immunity, and treat skin diseases. Kangkong is a rich source of various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It also contains potassium and iron.
Is eating kangkong healthy?
Kangkong is known for being a great provider of vitamins and minerals. Kangkong is a great source for vitamin-A which is essential for the health of skin, hair, and vision. Another vitamin that has a large presence in kangkong is Vitamin-C. Vitamin-C is great for protecting the body from various diseases.
What is the other term of kangkong?
This plant is known in English as water spinach, river spinach, water morning glory, water convolvulus, or by the more ambiguous names Chinese spinach, Chinese Watercress, Chinese convolvulus, swamp cabbage or kangkong in Southeast Asia.
Is kangkong nutritious?
Kangkong greens are an abundant source of health-benefiting nutrients which when consumed on regular basis found to prevent osteoporosis, iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin-A deficiency; and further believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases, colon, and prostate cancers.
What is a substitute for water spinach?
Still, if you don't have any water spinach for your meals, you can substitute with: Regular spinach: They become tender when cooked but don't have the same silky-smooth texture as water spinach. Sweet potato leaves: They taste a little like conventional spinach, which makes them ideal substitutes for water spinach.
Is kangkong safe to eat raw?
Some leafy greens don't need any cooking at all and the kangkong is one of them. You can eat these raw! You'll get the full benefits of its nutritional value and not have to worry about the greens overcooking.
What is English spinach?
English spinach is a leafy green vegetable grown for its masses of leaves which are eaten cooked or raw. It has bright green, thick, soft, oval to arrow-shaped leaves and green stems, both of which are eaten. It has a delicate flavour and is most flavoursome from May to October.
Can I replace spinach with kangkong?
The water spinach or more locally known as kangkong is the most common kind of spinach many of us know. This is and has been the substitute used for many recipes that otherwise use spinach in its recipe.
What are the benefits of water spinach?
Water spinach benefits your health in many ways. Its high antioxidant, dietary fiber, and protein content may help treat several ailments. It may reduce cholesterol levels, help treat jaundice and liver problems, support anemia treatment, aid in digestion, and protect against heart disease.
Is watercress healthier cooked or raw?
Vitamin B is another water-soluble vitamin present in high levels in watercress and this too is reduced when watercress is cooked, while minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc may be reduced by up to 60 to 70%. All this suggests it's best to eat watercress uncooked.
Which is healthier watercress or kale?
Kale has the highest vitamin content of these three greens, with a cup serving providing 684 percent of the daily value, or DV, for vitamin K, 206 percent of vitamin A and 133 percent for vitamin C. Spinach contains the most folate, with 15 percent of the DV, compared to 5 percent for kale and 1 percent in watercress.
How to cook kangkung?
Preparation and serving methods 1 Fresh, tender shoots of kangkung used in green salads. 2 Young stems and leaves are boiled, steamed or sauteed in oil, and used in various dishes such as stews and curries. 3 Tumis kangkung is an Indonesian stir-fried water-spinach with chilies and shrimp paste. 4 Finely chopped young stems and leaves can be sautéed in oil and garlic used as a filling for momos (dim sum). 5 Kangkong is also a good substitute for other leafy greens such as spinach, chard, basella, sorrel etc, in many recipes.
What are the benefits of eating kangkong greens?
Kangkong greens are an abundant source of health-benefiting nutrients which when consumed on regular basis found to prevent osteoporosis, iron-deficiency anemia, and vitamin-A deficiency; and further believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases, colon, and prostate cancers.
How much vitamin C is in kangkung leaves?
Raw, fresh kangkung leaves carry excellent levels of ascorbic acid. 100 g of greens provide 55 mg or 92% daily required values of vitamin-C. Vitamin-C is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant that helps as free-oxygen radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, and thus protect the human body from various disease processes.
How many IU of vitamin A are in a kangkong green?
Kangkong greens are very low in calories and fats. Nonetheless, its succulent leaves carry plenty of vitamins, lead in the front by vitamin-A (6600 IU/100 grams), in addition to being rich in antioxidants and minerals.
How many varieties of water spinach are there?
Based on the growth habit, there are two varieties of water spinach.
Can spinach be stored in the refrigerator?
Also, avoid damaged, insect afflicted greens. Water spinach leaves damaged early if not stored in the cool surroundings. Keep them wrapped in wet towels, and place inside the refrigerator as in other greens like spinach.
Is water spinach a bundle?
In the markets, water spinach is sold in bundles of various sizes and weights. Look for the deep green, large leaf types since they are more flavorful than the small leaf variety.
What is the name of the spinach that has pink flowers?
White stem water spinach: Also known as Pak Quat, the leaves of this water spinach variety are arrow-shaped. It has pink flowers and grown in an aquatic environment.
What is the difference between water spinach and spinach?
Water spinach is part of the Morning Glory family, which is closely related to sweet potato, whereas spinach belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae, which includes plants that have no petals, such as beets. Read on to know more about the differences between water spinach and spinach.
How tall does water spinach grow?
Water spinach is an aquatic vine that can grow up to 9ft long with hollow stems and has flowers that look like morning glory. On the other hand, spinach, or scientifically known as Spinacia oleracea, is an annual plant that has a dark green, heavy rosette of broad, spoon-shaped, and tender leaves.
How to wash spinach leaves?
I usually soak them in a bowl of water with salt for a few minutes before rinsing them under running water. The first few inches of the stalks are fibrous and hard to chew, so you should cut them off.
How to cook water spinach?
Here’s a water spinach recipe video teaching you how to make water spinach stir fry quickly and easily. Things to keep in mind when preparing the water spinach: Wash the water spinach thoroughly to make sure no dirt or sand is left trapped on the leaves or stalks.
Where is spinach grown?
Habitat and growth habit. Traditionally, water spinach was grown either on river banks or in swamps. However, recently, they are also grown on land in the garden, resulting in two different forms of growing habit: soil and swamp.
Is spinach a flower?
In contrast, spinach or Spinacia oleracea is an edible flowering plant that belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae, which is related to Swiss chard and beets.
Where is kangkong grown?
In Southeast Asia, where kangkong is most prevalent, the simple garlic and water slurry is elevated with chilli, shrimp paste and fermented bean sauce. Some farmers plant it directly in wet soil; others choose to let the hollow stems float on top of nutrient-rich ponds. Read more.
What is Chinese water spinach?
Chinese water spinach, also known as morning glory and kangkong, is frequently stir-fried with chili and shrimp paste. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
What is a vegetable with a hollow stem?
A long, crunchy vegetable with a hollow stem, it’s usually served as a side dish, draped with a blanket of minced garlic, water, a pinch of salt and a touch of umami (usually from MSG). In Southeast Asia, where the vegetable is most prevalent, the simple garlic and water slurry is elevated with chilli, shrimp paste and fermented bean sauce. ...
Why is Chinese water spinach overlooked?
Because a weed, after all, is in the eye of the beholder, and the Chinese water spinach has been overlooked for its most redeeming quality: a food source that grows indefinitely in wet environments, and a tasty perennial that keeps on giving. This article was originally published on. Goldthread. .
Why was spinach banned in Florida?
In 1973, the state of Florida banned the cultivation of Chinese water spinach, which had been brought in as a non-native food crop, because it began spreading across ponds, clogging waterways and obstructing boats. Chinese water spinach on sale at a market in Thailand. Photo: Shutterstock.
What is the name of the spinach that is grown in Asia?
If you grew up in Asia – or have had some exposure to its food – you’ve most definitely encountered the Chinese water spinach, sometimes called morning glory.
Where is spinach grown?
In 2003, 90 per cent of commercial water spinach in the United States was grown in northern California, according to a Portland State University report.
What does kangkong taste like?
Water spinach is similar to regular traditional spinach, with a slightly bitter and nutty taste.
Where does kangkong come from?
Kangkong originates from Southeast Asia and India in swampy, pond-like, or marshy areas. It’s a semi-aquatic plant that’s considered to be highly invasive as a weed.
How long does it take for a kangkong to germinate?
Kangkong will germinate quickly in just 2 weeks. After that, it’s just a matter of keeping it nourished until 2-3 months when it becomes edible and ready for harvest. The cuttings can be replanted and regrown.
Why is the humidity in Kangkong high?
Kangkong is natively grown in swampy conditions so the humidity is always high. The sun evaporates the water constantly and raises the humidity.
How to grow kangkong at once?
An efficient way to grow a lot of kangkong at once is to plant them in rows. If you have a tiny garden, row planting can save you space while maximizing your crop yield.
When to move kangkong into garden?
When your seedlings are tall enough or when your cuttings were grown in water take root, it’s time to move your kangkong into your garden. Here’s how.
What zone is spinach grown in?
Water spinach can also be grown in zones as low as 5, 6, 7, and 8 and higher zones such as 12, 13, and 14. Some people have had success in zone 15.
What is Kangkong?
Kangkong (Tagalog) or tangkong (Aklanon) is referred to in English as swamp cabbage or water spinach although it's not really cabbage or spinach. It's rather ubiquitous in the Philippines, it grows everywhere, in ditches, in ponds, on dry land, or in cultivation.
What to use if you don't have kangkong?
If you don't have kangkong then you can use equal amounts of: Fresh spinach. This will work steamed, stir-fried, or sauteed. The texture will be different. OR - Use fresh sweet potato leaves (camote tops). You can read about using these leaves as an edible green here. Cabbage. Email.
What is the green in Vietnam?
In Vietnam the green is eaten raw in salad or added to soup. In other parts of Asia the greens are lightly cooked with a savory or spicy paste made with chiles. The stems take a bit longer to cook so they should be added first then the leaves only take a few seconds to heat and wilt.
Is kangkong a vegetable?
This is not a common vegetable in the U.S. Look for it in ethnic markets or buy kangkong seed and grow your own.
Why is spinach considered a weed?
The USDA has classified it as a noxious weed because it grows so fast in aquatic environments in warmer climates that it tends to crowd out other species. (It also means you can't import or transport water spinach between states without a permit).
What Is Water Spinach?
Instead, water spinach is part of the morning glory family and has long vine-like stems and bell-shaped morning glory-like flowers. Ipomoea aquatica is known as kangkong in the Philippines, kangkung in Indonesia and Malaysia, rau muong in Vietnam, pak bong in Laos, and trakuon in Cambodia. Its English names include water or swamp spinach; sometimes it's referred to as Chinese water spinach, or ong choy in Cantonese.
How long can spinach be kept in water?
Water spinach will keep in the fridge much the way any leafy green would, in a sealed container with a damp paper towel for several days. It's best to not wash before you refrigerate the spinach, as this can make it wilt quickly. Wash it right before you intend to cook with it.
Where is water spinach grown?
Water spinach, or swamp spinach, grows abundantly in tropical regions in Southeast Asia and is used extensively in cuisine in places such as Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This ingredient works great in stir-fries, soups, and other dishes where a mild, green flavor would benefit a recipe.
Can spinach be used in place of spinach?
Water spinach can easily be used in place of spinach, especially its cooked applications, or in recipes that require cooked watercress, such as soup. It also takes well to ingredients that give it flavor, such as garlic, ginger, chili pepper, and shrimp paste .
Can you eat spinach without cooking?
Because it is difficult to determine the sanitary conditions of the water in which the vegetable grew, it is not typically a good idea to eat water spinach without cooking it first. To prepare it for cooking, rinse very well to remove any sand or grit trapped in the stalks and leaves. Cut off and discard the first couple of inches of the stalks.
Is water spinach invasive?
Water spinach is a semi-aquatic plant that thrives with little or no supervision. In fact, it grows so quickly that it is considered invasive in some regions in the U.S. where it has been introduced, but in Southeast Asia where it is used to cook myriad dishes, water spinach is never invasive. On the contrary, it is perceived as a culinary blessing ...
What kind of leaves do kangkong have?
The shape of the leaves vary. Kangkong with arrow-head leaves is common in Chinese cooking. The kind with wider and somewhat heart-shaped leaves is what we have in the Philippines.
Why is spinach soupy?
But the problem with spinach is how it can turn any dish rather soupy because of the amount of water it contains. What I do is to squeeze out the excess water. First, I rinse the spinach very well to remove any sand embedded in the stalks and leaves. Next I trim the spinach. I separate the leaves and tender stalks from the bigger stalks ...
How long to blanch spinach leaves?
I do this either by (1) placing the spinach in a colander and pouring boiling water over them or (2) blanching the spinach for about 10 seconds.
Is kang kong a word?
If you Google “kang kong” (yes, two words) and “kangkung”, you’ll discover that it is just as ubiquitous all over Asian and in various Malayan cuisines, including Indonesian and Malaysian. In Thailand, it is called phak bung; it is rau muong in Vietnam; kolmishak in Bangladesh and the Chinese has many regional names for it.
Can you squeeze spinach leaves after refreshing?
After refreshing, I strain the spinach well and just squeeze the leaves to remove as much of the water as I can.
How long does it take for kangkong to germinate?
Germination occurs within a couple of weeks. To speed up the germination you can soak the seeds overnight in water. Growing kangkong from cuttings is the easiest method to propagate it. Just cut several 30-40 cm long cuttings from young growth and plant 15 cm deep in potting mix.
How to propagate water spinach?
Propagation. Kangkong or water spinach can be propagated either by seeds or by cuttings. Sow the seeds in fresh potting soil (sow about 0.5 centimeters deep). Ensure that you keep the seeds consistently moist. Also, remember that temperature should remain around 68 F (20 C).
How long does it take for spinach to grow?
A first harvest date of nutritious water spinach is usually 4 to 6 weeks after planting – depending more on the temperature and growing conditions. Cut only a few leaves or entire plant with leaves and stems leaving only 3 inches of growth, the plant will regrow again.
Where is water spinach grown?
Water spinach is grown especially in the Southeast Asian region as a vegetable. It is a semi-aquatic plant, a creeper that grows in or near the water on moist soils. Keep reading this article to learn How To Grow Kangkong.
Is spinach a nutrient?
Just like every green vegetable, Water spinach is a nutrient powerhouse. It is rich in water, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Here are the benefits of eating water spinach.
Can you eat kangkong?
Its stems and leaves are eatable. If you’re growing kangkong on the ground, be careful it’s an invasive plant and grows aggressively. Harvest it before flowering, so that it can’t form seeds.
Can you use water spinach?
Water spinach has light green ovate leaves, its stems are hollow, so they can float on the water. Both leaves and stems are edible and can be used as the way you use spinach. Under tropical conditions, water spinach can be harvested throughout the year, as the leaves grow again after harvesting.