Glossary - Ingredients

Nanohana

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Flower buds of cruciferous plants, this vegetable is a spring delicacy that makes the most of its bitterness

What is nanohana?

Nanohana (なのはな in Japanese), or rapeseed blossom, is the general term for the flower buds of cruciferous vegetables such as hakusai / napa cabbage, white turnip, komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach), mizuna, bok choy, and cabbage. There are many varieties of nanohana that have been cultivated for consumption, and are sold in supermarkets. They can be eaten in salads or in boiled dishes, taking advantage of their unique bitter taste. They go well with oily and fragrant foods such as pork, bacon, and sesame. They are also popular as a pasta topping.

Nutrition facts

Compared to other vegetables, nanohana is relatively high in protein. It is also rich in dietary fiber and in minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron. Nanohana contains a lot of antioxidant vitamins such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C, which help maintain immunity and healthy skin, cells, and blood vessels. It is also rich in B vitamins such as vitamins B1, B2, pantothenic acid, biotin, and folic acid, which help keep the metabolism stable.
Other leafy vegetables such as spinach contain oxalic acid, but there is only a small amount of it found in nanohana. For this reason, nanohana can be eaten by simply boiling them briefly. Since nanohana consists of water-soluble vitamins and is sensitive to heat, it is best to prevent vitamin loss by boiling nanohana lightly and cooking them briefly into dishes like aemono (dressed dishes often made with fresh seasonal vegetables) or ohitashi (boiled vegetable salad dressed with dashi and soy sauce). Beta-carotene and vitamin E are better absorbed when consumed with oil. Due to nanohana containing a lot of vitamin C, consuming it with animal protein foods such as meat, fish, and eggs will increase the absorption rate of iron into the body.

Storage to prevent food loss

Nanohana can be cut into bite-sized pieces, wrapped in moist kitchen paper, placed in a plastic bag, and stored in the refrigerator for about a week if placed upright with the flower side up. They can also be wrapped raw in plastic wrap and frozen for up to a month.

Trivia

When the flowers bloom, they become bitter, so it is best to choose nanohana that buds have yet to open.

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