Do you want to add Kale to your vegetable garden? Well, don’t forget that apart from juice, they are even used at home or get royal treatment on menus. Kale is nutritious, and can also turn attractive additions to gardens along with its vibrant purple or green leaves.

But did you know this veggie comes in a range of types, each having its own distinct characteristics? It doesn’t matter if you’re getting started with this leafy green or a seasoned kale enthusiast, keep reading to know the types of kale plants that can boost your health and meals.

What is a kale plant?

Kale, or simply brassica oleracea acephala, is a kind of leafy vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Generally, it comprises cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. Now, you might be thinking about what kale plants look like, their culinary use, habitat, etc. That’s why we have mentioned everything about them below.

1) Habitat and Growth

• Kale is considered a cool-season crop, and that’s why it’s perfect for temperate climates. It can easily tolerate frost, and after exposure to cold temperatures, kale can turn sweeter. 
• Kale is one of the hardy plants that can grow in a range of soil types. However, they thrive only in well-drained and fertile soil rich in organic matter. 
• You can grow them in both containers and gardens, due to which it’s a versatile choice for home gardeners. 

2) Nutrition and Culinary Use

• Generally, kale is renowned for the presence of its exceptional nutritional value. It’s rich in antioxidants, minerals like calcium, and vitamins like K. 
• Due to kale’s health benefits, it is considered a superfood. Kale has high fiber content and even potential cancer-fighting properties. 
• You can use it in a range of culinary preparations such as soups, sautés, smoothies, and salads. Even you can eat kale cooked or raw.

3) Appearance

• This plant typically has curly, frilly, and dark green leaves, although there are several varieties with distinctive shapes and colors. 
• After hitting their mature age, kale can easily reach heights of up to 60-90 cm or 2-3 feet.

4) Cultivation

• You can grow kale from seeds, which can be started indoors and transplanted later, or you can directly sow in the garden.
• Kale requires adequate sunlight, mainly 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
• Make sure that you water kale regularly just to keep the soil moist consistently, but there is no need to waterlog.

What are the different types of kale plants?

1) Lacinato Kale (Brassica oleracea var. lacinato)

• Flavor: Lacinato Kale has a milder and slightly sweeter flavor in comparison to curly kale.
• Appearance: It has dark blue-green, narrow, leaves leaves along with a wrinkled texture that resembles dinosaur skin.
• Culinary Use: Generally, it is used in Italian dishes like stews and soups. Lacinato Kale’s hearty leaves can hold up well while cooking.

2) Siberian Kale (Brassica napus var. pabularia)

• Flavor: Siberian Kale has a slightly milder flavor in comparison to some other kale varieties out there.
• Appearance: It has blue-green, frilly, large leaves along with an upright and robust growth habit.
• Culinary Use: Usually, it is used in cooking, like in casseroles and soups, as its leaves have enough capacity to hold up during longer cooking times.

3) Curly Kale (Brassica oleracea var. isabella)

• Flavor: Curly Kale has a bitter taste and is slightly peppery, which after cooking turns mellow.
• Appearance: Among the most common varieties, it is considered one of them. Curly Kale has curly, deeply fringed leaves that can be found in dark green color.
• Culinary Use: It is versatile, which means you can use it in soups, salads, smoothies, and even as a garnish. 

4) Red Russian Kale (Brassica napus var. pabularia)

• Flavor: Red Russian Kale has a mild and sweet flavor along with a hint of pepperiness. 
• Appearance: It has fringed, flat leaves along with reddish-purple veins and stems. Keep in mind that such leaves are delicate and tender. 
• Culinary Use: This kale is the perfect option for salads, and you can even use it in stir-fries and sautés. Red Russian Kale is mainly known for its striking appearance.

5) Dwarf Siberian Kale (Brassica napus var. pabularia)

• Flavor: Dwarf Siberian Kale tastes similar to Siberian Kale but in a more compact form. 
• Appearance: It looks like a compact version of Siberian Kale having deeply and smaller loved leaves. 
• Culinary Use: This variety is perfect for container gardening or small gardens. You can use it in a range of dishes such as side dishes and salads.

Conclusion

Whether you’re tossing it into a salad or blending it into a green smoothie, different types of kale leaves with rich textures and flavors will provide you with endless culinary possibilities. Thus, the next time you’re planting in your garden, it would be better to experiment with a new variety of kale.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Kale Plants first appeared on Rewaso.