Swiss chard Facts
Swiss chard Facts
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| Interesting Swiss chard Facts: |
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| Swiss chard can reach 28 inches in height. |
| Swiss chard produces large, shiny, dark green, ribbed leaves with long, white, yellow or red petioles. |
| Swiss chard develops small, green flowers on top of the flowering stem during the second year of growth. Flowers contain both types of reproductive organs (perfect flowers). Swiss chard produces light pollen which easily travels by wind. |
| Swiss chard propagates via seed. |
| Swiss chard is sown between April to August in the Northern hemisphere. Harvest takes place from June to November. Swiss chard produces three or more crops per season. |
| Even though Swiss chard is type of beet, it has inedible root. |
| Stalks and leaves of Swiss chard are edible. There are two main types of Swiss chard: red and green. Red Swiss chard has red stalks and dark green leaves. Green Swiss chard has white stalks and light green leaves. Rainbow (multicolored) chard is only mix of differently colored varieties. |
| Swiss chard is excellent source of dietary fibers, vitamins A, C, K and vitamins of the B group and minerals such as iron, magnesium and potassium. 100 g of raw leaves contain only 19 calories. |
| Leaves and stalks of Swiss chard can be consumed while they are young and tender or when they become large and tough (stalk). Swiss chard is rarely consumed raw (in the form of salads). More often, Swiss chard is thermally processed (steamed, boiled or roasted) before consumption. Leaves can be prepared like spinach and stalks like asparagus. Swiss chard can be also used for the preparation of pies, sauces and soups. |
| Swiss chard is inevitable part of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. |
| Swiss chard is extensively cultivated in Switzerland, hence the name "Swiss". Word "chard" originates from the Latin noun "carduus" which means "artichoke thistle". |
| Swiss chard is also known as "perpetual spinach" due to similar texture and taste of these two types of plants (Swiss chard has slightly meatier texture and earthier taste). |
| Swiss chard is rich source of oxalic acid which reduces absorption of calcium and induces formation of crystals of calcium oxalates (type of kidney stones) in the urinary tract of susceptible individuals. Also, Swiss chard is not recommended for people on the anticoagulant therapy (because of the high level of vitamin K in the plant). |
| Swiss chard is ideal for all people who would like to lose some weight because it contains few calories and fats. |
| Swiss chard is biennial plant (lifespan: 2 years). |
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