- Large, crisp, dark green leaves.
- White stalks.
- Small florets.
- Does not look like western style broccoli.
All parts of this vegetable can be eaten. Wash and snap florets and leaves from the stem. If the skin of the stem is tough, peel to reduce cooking time, slice as required. It is most commonly blanched or stir-fried. It is delicious served with oyster sauce.
Gai lan requires plenty of water and generous feeding for a quick maturing process.
People may be familiar with gai lan or “Chinese broccoli” from yum cha, where it is served steamed with a drizzle of oyster sauce. Gai lan has been grown in Europe, as well as Asia, for thousands of years. The whole plant can be eaten; stems, leaves and even flowers. It is great in a stir fry, added to soup or even steamed and served with hollandaise sauce.
English: Chinese kale, white flowering broccoli
Thai: pak khana
Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra
Alternative Names: Chinese broccoli
Health Benefits
100g of Gail Lan (Chinese Broccoli) yields the following:
- Calories – 30
- Vitamin A – 12.29% of DV
- Vitamin C – 32.89% of DV
- Calcium – 10.5% of DV
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Selecting tips
Select clean crisp leaves with compact florets.