If you are interested in knowing what celery tastes like then simply check out the article below. It gives a detailed explanation of what you can expect when you buy your celery from the grocery store.
Contents
What is celery?
Celery is a vegetable that has low calories. It belongs to the Apiaceae family just like carrots, parsley and parsnips. Celery is commonly taken as a snack and it is soft and crunchy. Most people who are trying to live a healthy lifestyle consume celery as it is very low in calories and also it contains a number of nutrients and minerals that are needed by the human body.
What does celery taste like?
Celery tastes like raw or green onion but with an earthy taste. The taste of celery is mild and strong at the same time. Celery is watery but salty in a very unusual way, when you eat it raw you will feel a slightly tingly sensation on your tongue which is similar to the one you get when you eat a mint. The reason why celery leaves your tongue feeling tingly is because it produces chemicals known as furanocoumarins so this is part of the nature of celery.
Texture of celery
The texture of celery is crunchy and that is why most people take it as a snack. When you eat celery it has a nice snap to it just like carrots but it is a bit soft. When eaten raw celery has a tendency of getting stuck in between teeth this is because it is a little bit fibrous so some of those small pieces might get stuck in your teeth.
How to make celery taste better
Often people complain about the bitterness found in celery and they avoid eating it or using it to make a dish. Celery has a distinct flavour and some people believe that when you add it to a dish it will overpower all the other ingredients. However, this is not true, once celery is cooked the bitterness will be neutralised and in some instances you will notice that the celery will become sweet. You can also roast the celery with other vegetables to remove that bitterness. If you are planning on eating the celery while raw its strongly advised to eat the lighter green stalks as they are not as bitter as the outer dark green stalks. You can eat these stalks by dipping them in hummus, cream cheese, peanut butter or even a dip.
Tips for using celery
- Always cook celery separately when you have guests. This is because there are some people who strongly dislike celery. If you have roasted your celery make sure you also have other alternatives of roasted vegetables be it carrots or asparagus so that your guests can also choose what they like.
- Celery has string parts that can get caught in your teeth thus if you want to prevent that from happening you can always place the celery in boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds so that it can just soften up a bit. The next thing is to remove the celery from the hot water and place them in cold water. The celery will now be soft enough so you can grab a knife and use it to remove hose strings.
- Use the leaves of celery and not just the stalk. This is because the leaves are rich in calcium, potassium and vitamin C.
How to store celery
Celery should always be stored in the refrigerator this is because if you keep it at room temperature for a long period of time it will start to rot. To store celery in the refrigerator simply place it inside an air tight container or a storage bag. The next step is to place the celery in the refrigerator it can last for up to 5 days. It is important to know that celery that is cut has a strong smell so it can contaminate other foods in your refrigerator, which is why it should always be placed in the refrigerator while covered. If you have leftover celery that is sliced simply place it in the freezer but once you take it out it won’t have its original texture so it’s best to use it when making smoothies.
Health benefits of celery
Celery helps with digestion
Celery contains antioxidants that help to promote digestion. Furthermore it also has other nutrients that help to prevent ulcers in the stomach. Pectin-based polysaccharides in celery, including a compound known as apiuman are believed to help restore the stomach lining thus reducing the chances of having ulcers. If you have ulcer problems then celery will help to heal the stomach ulcers.
Celery reduces inflammation
Celery contains about 25 anti-inflammatory compounds that help to protect your body from diseases like arthritis, osteoporosis. Therefore if you consume celery then you can actually protect yourself from such diseases.
Celery helps with weight loss
Celery contains a lot of water which is why it is very low in calories. If you are trying to lose weight the celery is the right vegetable to eat. Celery contains dietary fibre which is very good so if you have cravings and you eat it you will feel full. However it is important to know that eating a lot of celery does not count as negative calories. Therefore you should not consume it in excess with the mind-set that it will be digested faster.
Is it possible to be allergic to celery?
Yes it is possible to be allergic to celery. Although celery has a number of health benefits some people tend to experience allergic reactions when they consume it. Some of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction to celery are an itch mouth, runny nose as well as sneezing. You should always seek medical help when you experience an allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Celery is a healthy vegetable to eat regardless of its taste that is somehow bitter. The article above has given you hacks that you can use to improve the taste of your celery. Always remember to store your celery in the refrigerator if you want to retain that crunchy texture.
