Untreated Chinese Broccoli - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds - Brassica alboglabra

The 'Kailaan' cabbage, or Chinese kale, is a variety of Asian-origin broccoli cabbage. It is a vegetable commonly used in the Southeast regions of China and Vietnam. It can reach a height of 30 cm (12in) and produces a creamy white flowering, making it a decorative element in the vegetable garden. It is traditionally cooked by steaming or in works with ginger or garlic. Its flavour is a cross between cabbage and asparagus. It contributes to bringing a delicate note to dishes. Chinese kale is sown from April to August and harvested from August to October. It is advisable to hill the plants when they reach about twenty centimetres.

The untreated or "NT" seeds come from plants grown conventionally (often using phytosanitary products). However, they undergo no treatment after harvest. These seeds are allowed in organic market gardening when organic seeds are out of stock.

Chinese cabbages are vegetable plants native to China and, more generally, to Eastern Asia. Like their European counterparts, they belong to the large family of Brassicaceae and are named after the Brassica rapa species.

These cabbages, which were hardly found in certain specialised shops just a few years ago, are gradually gaining ground on our stalls and vegetable gardens, to the delight of Asian cuisine enthusiasts.

They are biennial plants grown as annuals full of qualities in taste and nutrition. From a dietary point of view, they are remarkable: low in calories, very rich in vitamins C, A, and potassium, and also contain a lot of fibre and minerals like calcium.

These cabbages can be consumed raw or cooked in a salad or quickly stir-fried in a wok, soup or gratin.

In the vegetable garden, Chinese cabbage has the exact requirements as our European cabbages: deep soil, excellent manure, and regular moisture. It should be planted in a sunny location.

Harvest: they are harvested as needed.

Storage: It can be stored in a well-ventilated cellar for over a month.

Gardener's tip: To limit watering, we recommend that, when the plants are well-developed, you mulch the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, if possible, mixed with dead leaves. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also reduces weed growth.