These vegetables are rich in compounds known as glucosinolates, which are responsible for their characteristic bitter taste. When kale is eaten raw, the glucosinolates in the leaves are broken down into various compounds, including isothiocyanates, which are responsible for the bitter taste.
What are the health benefits of including kale in our diet?
A serving of raw kale contains 33 calories. To break it down, it has 6 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of protein, and 2 g of fiber. Below are common health benefits of including kale in our diet:
- The nutritional profile of kale supports a strong immune system. The vitamin C content in kale protects our cells and helps them perform their vital functions. This vitamin also promotes collagen synthesis, a structural protein in the body that helps fight against aging.
- Kale contains important nutrients such as zeaxanthin and lutein that help protect our eyes reducing eye problems . These carotenoid antioxidants keep us at low risk of eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Munching on kale chips or other dishes in which kale is the main ingredient is a good option if you are trying to lose or maintain your weight. It is a weight loss/weight management–friendly vegetable because of its low-calorie content. Kale is packed with water and fiber, so it keeps us satiated longer.
- According to studies, kale contains compounds designed to protect the body against cancer. One compound is sulforaphane, a material that helps fight cancer formation right from the start and at the molecular level. There are also other substances in kale that ca n potentially fight cancer such as the indole-3 carbinol.
- The nutritional profile of kale is rich in vitamin A; to be more precise, beta carotene is abundant in kale. This is an antioxidant that turns into vitamin A in the body. Therefore, with a good amount of beta carotene in the body, more levels of vitamin A are stored, which is important in keeping the eyes healthy and slowing down the aging process.
How to Eliminate the Bitter Taste of Kale Salad
FAQ
Does kale get bitter with age?
Does blanching kale make it less bitter?
How do you counteract bitterness?
Why does Kale taste bitter?
This way, they can protect themself from insects and any other pests that will eat the leaves. In the case of store-bought kale, the bitter taste can also be from the pesticides that were used to prevent the pest from eating them more than they do on their own and also to resist better at transportation.
Which is the best way to eat Kale?
Kale is a high-fiber cruciferous vegetable like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables can cause gas and bloating or general digestive discomfort, especially in individuals who are just beginning to eat high-fiber cruciferous vegetables. Cooking kale, rather than eating it raw, and using recipes that call for lemon may reduce digestive side effects. Also effective in reducing gas and bloating is eating one-half teaspoon of fennel seeds(toasted, raw, or candied) after a meal when you experience gas or bloating. Drinking water after consuming a high fiber meal is recommended to help fiber pass through the digestive tract. Tuscan kale (also known as lacinato or dinosaur kale) is easier to incorporate into the diet, tastes better than other types of kale, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Kale is a nutritious high-fiber dark green vegetable that will upgrade any diet.
How to remove bitterness from Kale?
It is better to let it in the fridge for about one hour before eating it, this way, you have a bigger chance of getting rid of the bitterness. -Marinating. Brushing your kale in any sauce or olive oil with other seasonings will significantly reduce the bitter taste. -Cooking. This is one of the best ways to get rid of the bitterness from kale.
Does cooked kale taste bad?
The downside of cooking kale is that it will lose some of its good nutrients, so it’s healthier to eat it raw. So cooked kale should not taste bitter, if you cook it properly and it is still bitter, you should throw it away since it is most likely bad. How to know if kale has gone bad?