Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: chools on April 16, 2019, 18:57

Title: Bitter spinach
Post by: chools on April 16, 2019, 18:57

For several years I've grown American giant winter spinach in my polytunnel. I plant it in the autumn and it's ready to harvest now just before my tomatoes will take it's place.
This year however I've cooked it twice and both times it's had a bitter after taste and catches my throat a little making it unpleasent. I assume that the oxalic acid content must be very high this year but I've no-idea as to why. I've not changed anything in the way that I grow it. Has anyone else experinced this? I guess it's destined for the compost 😕

Title: Re: Bitter spinach
Post by: sunshineband on April 16, 2019, 21:23

I assume it is not sending p flower stems? That can cause a stronger flavour in other spinaches

Title: Re: Bitter spinach
Post by: chools on April 16, 2019, 21:31

No, it's showing no signs of flowers as yet

Title: Re: Bitter spinach
Post by: Goosegirl on April 17, 2019, 13:51

Try this site and see if it helps:
https://www.pyroenergen.com/articles/popeye-spinach.htm

Title: Re: Bitter spinach
Post by: chools on April 18, 2019, 11:10

Thanks for that, I'll have a think. I did try eating one baby leaf when I was at the plot yesterday but the bitter taste was even stronger than after steaming  :(  In late February we had quite a heatwave and I'm wondering if that caused a reaction in the plants? It's a shame as to date it's been a good over wintered crop to help fill the hungry gap

https://flic.kr/p/Tfv43w (https://flic.kr/p/Tfv43w)

Title: Re: Bitter spinach
Post by: Goosegirl on April 18, 2019, 12:46

Have a look at this site too:
https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/avoid-bitter-cooked-spinach-4584.html

Title: Re: Bitter spinach
Post by: chools on April 18, 2019, 22:26

Thanks. I'll try cropping some tomorrow and will follow various cooking methods 👍🏼