If you’ve ever wondered how to get the bitter taste out of celery, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to give you the answer to why celery tastes bitter! We’ll also answer some of the most common questions about buying the least bitter bunch in the shop, and what to do with one that is too bitter to eat raw.
Why Does Celery Taste Bitter?
The perceived bitterness of celery depends on its growing conditions. If the soil isn’t fertile, moist, or cool enough, stalks turn stringy and begin to foster a particularly bitter taste. Another reason could be insufficient blanching of celery to protect it from the sun.
How Do You Get The Bitterness Out of Celery?
To get the bitterness out of celery, rinse it scrupulously in cold water. Chop off the base of the stalks and remove the leaves, which are the most bitter component of the plant. Also, bear in mind that the outer stalks are far more bitter than the inner ones.
How to Buy Celery That’s Not Bitter
To avoid buying bitter celery, check its color. The deeper the green shade, the more bitter it will taste. On the other hand, the lighter the leaves and the stalks, the milder the flavor. That’s because the color of the celery indicates whether it has been blanched or not.
Other Ways to Neutralize a Bitter Taste
1. Sautéing
Cut the celery into small pieces and sauté them until they’re tender. Even though the crisp texture won’t go away fully, you’ll find that the cooking process lessens the overall bitterness of the celery.
2. Combining flavors
The only way to mask some of the bitterness is to pair the celery with strong, aromatic foods, such as soy sauce or garlic. Other good options include acidic vegetables like tomatoes and cabbage. The denser-tasting the accompaniment is, the better.
Wrap Up
To sum it up, the bitterness of the celery you buy is down to the way it’s cultivated. So unless you go to your local shop and buy the thickest, darkest green bunch of the lot, you can’t blame its pungency on your choices. Use the most bitter parts in cooking and have fun mixing flavors. You never know what great new fix you might discover!
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
