How Long Does Kale Last In Fridge (And Why)?

How Long Does Kale Last In Fridge (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 5-7 days

Kale is a vegetable. Its scientific name is Brassica oleracea. It belongs to the class of cabbage. It is also known as leaf cabbage/wild cabbage. The part of this plant that is eaten is its leaves. Leaves are edible part and range in colour from green to purple.

Kale not only is eaten but it also serves an ornamental purpose. They have been originated from the eastern Mediterranean. Kale is consumed in different parts of the world including Canada, USA because of its ability to thrive in different temperatures and environments. It is an annual plant and can thrive in both extreme summers and winters.

Kale has high nutritional importance. Most of its part constitutes water that is 80-90%. It also contains carbohydrates (9%), proteins(4%), calcium, flavonoids and vitamins (A, B, C and K). It is useful to prevent many life threatening diseases such as cancer, and other heart diseases as it is full of anti-oxidants.

How Long Does Kale Last In Fridge

How Long Does Kale Last In Fridge?

Kale comes in the bunch. That’s why people mostly prefer to stock and store it. To keep kale lasting for a longer amount of time, it is refrigerated. Kale grows and lasts better in colder temperatures. That’s why kale has to be stored in the fridge to make it last for a longer period.

The longevity of kale largely depends on the storage conditions. If it is kept outdoors at room temperature, it will not last for more than 3-5 hours. If kept in the fridge, it may last for 5-7 days and if kept in a freezer, it may last up to 10 days.

The time duration also depends on the condition of the kale. If it is kept fresh in a fridge, it lasts for 5-7 days. Packaged kale can last for about 8 days only if the packet is unopened. Cooked kale will last for 3-6 days when kept in an airtight container. The following table shows how long do kale lasts in the fridge-

Type Of KaleTime Duration
Fresh kale5-7 days
Packaged kale8-10 days
Cooked kale3-6 days

Why Does Kale Last For This Long In Fridge?

Kale is a green vegetable. Unlike every green vegetable, kale also goes bad if not stored properly. Kale is best stored in a fridge. This is because when it is stored open at room temperature, it becomes soggy. This happens due to a huge water content(89%) present in it.

If kept outside, kale may contract diseases. Some of the bacterial and fungal infections can make it unfit for eating and also causes yellowing of leaves. Some of the bacterial strains causing the yellowing of kale’s leaves are Pseudomonas and Xanthomonas.

To prevent any kind of bacterial and fungal infection and to keep the moisture content intact in the leaves of kale, it is refrigerated. Bacteria and fungi cannot thrive at lower temperatures present in the fridge, hence are unable to infect the vegetable. The moisture content is also enough in the fridge, hence kale’s moisture level remains as it is. That’s why kale lasts for a longer time in the fridge as compared to outside.

Conclusion

Kale is a green, leafy vegetable. It is loaded with nutrients and water. It is popular and eaten widely in European countries. It is also cultivated to feed the cattle.

Kale comes in different forms. One of the common types of kale is Curly kale, which is the most common one. It is bright green. Another type is the Dinosaur kale which has got curly leaves. Then comes the

Kale comes in different forms. One of the common types of kale is Curly kale, which is the most common one. It is bright green. Another type is the Dinosaur kale which has got curly leaves. Then comes the red bor kale, which has got ruffled leaves ranging from red to purple. Russian kale is one such kale that is hard to find. It is sweet.

To extend the shelf life of kale, the following steps can be followed-

  1. It is best to store uncooked, unwashed in the branches it comes.
  2. If want longer storage, it can be frozen. Blanching it first before freezing will be a great option.

References

  1. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/51/4/656/4695196
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814605002578

Last Updated : 23 February, 2024

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