Water Spinach – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is water spinach?

Contrary to popular misconception, water spinach doesn’t belong to the spinach family (Amaranthaceae). Instead, water spinach is a semi-aquatic plant in the Convolvulaceae (Morning glory) family. It also goes by the botanical name Ipomoea aquatica. Other popular English names include swamp spinach, swamp cabbage, river spinach, and Chinese water spinach.

The interesting thing about water spinach is, unlike other veggies, it has hollow stems. That’s why the Chinese refer to water spinach as kōng xīn cài (空心菜)—the literal translation means “empty heart vegetable.”

Water spinach is characterized by long, crunchy stalks, narrow leaves, and a slightly mucus-like texture when cooked. As a herbaceous plant, this veggie can grow to varying heights, and every part of it is edible. The two main water spinach varieties are:

• Green stem water spinach (ching quat) with white flowers
• White stem water spinach (pak quat) with pink flowers

Where did water spinach originate from?

The water spinach is native to Southeast Asia, preferring moist soil in the natural waterways of the tropics. It features widely in South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines. The water spinach goes by many names in different countries—ong choy (Hong Kong), kangkong (Malaysia and the Philippines), rau muong (Vietnam), phak bung (Thailand), trokuon (Cambodia), and kuushinsa (Japan).

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the water spinach was first introduced to the United States in the 1970s. Unfortunately, this plant grows quite aggressively and is now on the federal noxious weed list. To import and transport water spinach within the States, growers need a USDA-issued noxious weed permit.

What is the nutritional value of water spinach?

In terms of nutritional value, the water spinach abounds with minerals beneficial to your health:

• Potassium
• Iron
• Sodium
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Copper
• Manganese
• Zinc

On top of that, the water spinach also provides essential vitamins such as:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B9 (folic acid)
• Vitamin C

How is water spinach grown?

As a semi-aquatic plant, the water spinach grows well in moist soil under frost-free conditions. Due to the weak stem, water spinach plants are usually grown together in soil beds for additional support. They typically mature around 60 days after planting. As the shoots regrow rather quickly, growers can harvest it 2 or 3 times before the frost sets in.

When is water spinach in season?

The water spinach is typically in season throughout the year (although it peaks during the summer). You can usually spot water spinach in grocery stores, Asian specialty stores, and farmers’ markets.

How do you pick water spinach at the grocery store?

To pick water spinach at the grocery store, look for those with:

• Long, straight, slender stalks (which indicate a tender, crisp texture when cooked)
• Vibrant to dark green leaves and stems
• A subtle nutty aroma (similar to the conventional spinach)

Avoid those that look wilted around the edges and/or sport yellowed leaves. You’d also want to stay away from spinach that has insect holes and blemishes.

If you aren’t free to make a trip to the grocery store, you can easily shop for water spinach via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to share with your Instacart shopper specific preferences or directions on choosing freshwater spinach. Shop water spinach near you.

How to store water spinach

Water spinach stores just like any other leafy greens. Before storing it, comb through the leaves and stalks to discard those that look less than fresh, for example, with yellowed leaves. To prevent the leaves from wilting too quickly, wrap the unwashed spinach in moist paper towels before putting it in a ziplock bag or sealed container. Alternatively, put the spinach back in the plastic bag it came from.

Then, place the bag or container in the crisper section of your fridge. Water spinach stored this way usually lasts for a few days. Use up your spinach as quickly as you can. Just remember to wash it before cutting and cooking.

How to tell if water spinach is bad

There are a few warning signs that indicate your water spinach has gone bad:

• Discolorations, for example, black spots
• Mold and/or rot
• A slimy texture or dampness
• A musty or sour odor

If you’re out of water spinach, Instacart offers same-day delivery for fresh produce near you.

What can I substitute for water spinach?

Due to the year-round availability of the water spinach, it’s rare for it to go out of stock. Still, if you don’t have any water spinach for your meals, you can substitute with:

• Regular spinach: They become tender when cooked but don’t have the same silky-smooth texture as water spinach
• Sweet potato leaves: They taste a little like conventional spinach, which makes them ideal substitutes for water spinach

Are you looking for any of these leafy greens in your area? Open Instacart to check out the fresh produce near you. Shop leafy vegetables.

An all-round healthy veggie

Water spinach is an all-around healthy veggie that can be eaten raw or cooked. Ready to buy some water spinach for yourself? Instacart offers a wide selection of fresh produce near you so that you can enjoy water spinach in as short as 2 hours!

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.