Choy sum is the finest, radish is the most delicious, and watercress is perfect for soup. Recently, the Guangzhou Vegetable Basket Quotation Center reminded citizens that in-season vegetables are always the tastiest and most nutritious. Currently, there are 10 types of in-season vegetables available in Guangzhou: Choy sum, milk cabbage (short-stemmed cabbage), lettuce, watercress, local celery, kale, broccoli, white radish, snow peas, and garlic (with leaves and roots).
Mr. Lü, the owner of Guangzhou Hehe Market, stated that currently, local markets in Guangzhou mainly produce vegetables such as choy sum, kale, and Shanghai Qing. Due to the good weather, these autumn vegetables are growing beautifully. Especially choy sum, in his 120-acre vegetable fields, he produces at least 4,000 to 5,000 jin per day. Moreover, "the choy sum for 1 yuan per jin now is tastier than the 6 yuan per jin choy sum in spring."
However, some consumers believe that local celery, broccoli, white radish, and snow peas would be tastier if eaten a little later. "They are winter vegetables and are best eaten after a frost, before the end of the year."
According to the market owner, autumn vegetables are currently the best-sellers, but many citizens like to try something new and eat off-season vegetables, so they stock a variety of vegetables. Due to a sufficient supply, the prices of various autumn vegetables are currently quite moderate. Local choy sum is generally 1.5 to 2.1 yuan/jin, milk cabbage is 2.0 to 3.0 yuan/jin, lettuce is 1.5 to 1.8 yuan/jin, watercress is 2.0 to 2.6 yuan/jin, and kale is 2.1 to 2.5 yuan/jin.
Choy sum Guangzhou people call the best choy sum "Qinggu Liuyechai Sum." "Qinggu" refers to the choy sum's stem, which is dark green and slender. "Liuye" means the leaves are like willow leaves, slender and pointed. Secondly, choy sum with flower buds and a solid core is the premium quality. If the flowers at the top of the choy sum have already bloomed, it means it is old and should not be purchased.
Watercress Watercress is generally used for soups, blanched, or stir-fried with garlic. It is available from autumn and is off the market after the Awakening of Insects in the following year. When picking watercress, choose the tender and sturdy ones. If the stems are too thin and long, it means they are old and should not be purchased.
Kale The younger the kale, the crisper and tastier it is. Kale with flower buds, a solid core, and thinner skin on the stem is the premium quality. If the flowers at the top of the kale have already bloomed, it means the plant is old and should be avoided.
Milk cabbage Guangzhou people also call milk cabbage "short-stemmed cabbage," a name that also offers a tip for selecting it—sturdy, short, and plump milk cabbage has the best texture. If the milk cabbage is long and thin, it is difficult to cook and not tasty.
Lettuce Guangzhou people call the best lettuce "glass lettuce." This means the lettuce with the crispest leaves is the best. This type of lettuce has thin, shiny leaves that feel very crisp when pinched. If a drop of water is placed on the front of the leaf, it will not spread.
To determine if lettuce is fresh, you can also look at the leaves. If there are rust-like spots on the broken edges and wrinkles of the leaves, it is not fresh.
Chinese Mustard Chinese mustard looks a bit like a cabbage. The selection criteria are similar; the ones that are tightly packed, with thick, plump, and sturdy-looking leaves are the tastiest.
Broccoli When selecting broccoli, choose those with green, soft, and full flower buds and a raised center. The tenderness of broccoli lies in the flower buds; the smaller the buds, the younger and better the texture. Additionally, if the top flower buds have turned yellow, it indicates that the broccoli is not fresh and should not be purchased.