Curious if you can eat kale that has turned yellow? Let’s find out!
A popular member of the cabbage family, Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is a cruciferous vegetable, like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.
It is available in a variety of types, including lacinato, curly, ‘Red Russian’, and Chinese kale. While all are highly nutritious, they vary in color, shape, texture, and even flavor.
Here’s what’s to come in this article:
Most mature leaves are a shade of green or a stunning deep purple. So, when you notice a few turning yellow, you may be wondering: are they still safe to eat?
Why Kale Turns Yellow
While yellowing can simply be a sign that your crop has gotten old, it may also be due to improper storage or disease.
If it is in your fridge, yellowing is a sign of chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for the green color – breaking down as the leaves age. This happens naturally and it’s nothing to worry about.
As a result, storing kale for too long can result in leaves turning yellow over time. However, if it was fairly fresh, then you may not have been storing it properly, causing it to age and go bad more quickly.
In general, fresh from your garden, it should last 5-7 days if stored correctly.
So What Does Storing Correctly Mean?
The most important tip is not to wash your harvest before storing it. Otherwise, the excess moisture can cause it to rot more quickly. Instead, wait to rinse it until you’re ready to start cooking or eating it.
