Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: iggyboy60 on February 21, 2011, 19:56

Title: Bitter Celery?
Post by: iggyboy60 on February 21, 2011, 19:56

I was thinking about growing celery this year and I know this subject has been touched upon recently by other members,but I have concerns I would love to have cleared up. I read on a site called 'how stuff works' that celery will taste bitter if it isnt blanced. Does this also apply to self blanching types or is that being silly? Can anyone put my mind at rest,I would not want to go to all the trouble,time and effort only to find my celery tastes awful at the end of the season.

Title: Re: Bitter Celery?
Post by: Trillium on February 21, 2011, 21:02

Blanching helps celery lose some of the bitterness from it's full green state, but there are some self blanching varieties available. Also, not enough water during the whole season will also make celery more bitter. It's a bog plant and needs a lot of regular watering.

Title: Re: Bitter Celery?
Post by: solway cropper on February 21, 2011, 21:04

I've grown self-blanching celery for the last few years and not had trouble with bitterness. The only thing I would say is that you must give it plenty of water...not just a splash but a drenching and on a regular basis

Title: Re: Bitter Celery?
Post by: iggyboy60 on February 21, 2011, 21:13

cheers guys,will definitely give it a go this season  :)

Title: Re: Bitter Celery?
Post by: operabunny on February 22, 2011, 13:08

Personally I like my celery to retain a little bitterness. Shop bought stuff has gotten so bland that people aren't used to 'real' celery taste any more.

I like having that contrast and 'bite' when I use it in salads with e.g. honey & mustard dressing or in soups with sweet veg like carrots & parsnips.