Celery

Also Known As : Shalari, Ajmud (Hindi), Bandhuri or Chanu (Bengali), Bodiajmoda (Gujarati), Ajmoda (Marathi), Kernauli (Punjabi), Ajmada (Tamil), apio (Spanish), céleri, céleri feuille, céleri à couper, céleri-branche, céleri à côtes, céleri-rave (French), Sedano (Italian)

Technical Name : Apium graveolens

Descriptions
details

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

It has very watery and mild salty taste along with lingering bitterness.

Usage Tips

It can be used for making salads by adding chopped stalks to vegetables or meat of your choice along with salt, crushed pepper, lime juice and olive oil.
Celery stalks and leaves can be added to soups, gravies, etc.
It’s great to stuff inside chickens and turkeys for roasting.
To keep it at the peak of freshness for as long as possible, arrange the stalks in a glass or jar with water like a bouquet of flowers, and leave them uncovered with the tops sticking out.

Common names and forms

Celery stalks

Description

Celery is a plant that belongs to Apiaceae family. It has a long fibrous stalk tapering into leaves. The origins of celery most likely trace back to the Mediterranean and North African areas, since what is believed to be a rudimentary variety of this species of celery was found in King Tut’s tomb. However, the plant is now cultivated globally and is a part of every cuisine from America and Ireland to Japan and Australia. There are two varieties of celery that are widely grown namely: Pascal celery that is pale green in color and Golden celery, which is grown under the shade to prevent chlorophyll from developing and imparting the green color.

Health benefits

Celery is a rich source of two potential anticancer compounds: apigenin, and luteolin. They destroy free radicals in the body; promote cancer cell death and autophagy, a process in which your body removes dysfunctional cells or components, helping to prevent disease.⁽¹⁾
Consuming celery on a regular basis helps to reduce blood lipids, including total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides. It is quite a fascinating paradox that besides being high in sodium, celery lowers down the blood pressure. A mixture of celery juice and honey has been used in China for this purpose for a long time. ⁽¹⁾
Celery is full of insoluble fiber, which has the ability to absorb water and swell up. This increases satiety and gives a feeling of fullness for a long time. This automatically reduces the portion size and appetite which aids in weight loss. ⁽¹⁾
Celery contains an active compound 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB) which is great for people suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, and gout. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and pain around the joints. ⁽²⁾
Being rich in vitamin A, C as well as antioxidants, celery greatly boosts the immune system and makes it more active and efficient. ⁽²⁾
It contains high levels of calcium and magnesium; two minerals that have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and perceived stress. Calcium plays an important role in triggering the release of neurotransmitters, which allow the brain to communicate with the body. ⁽²⁾

Selection Guide

Go for bright green leaves with no brown spots or yellowing as it indicates that the celery is a bit older. The stalks should be green and crisp. If the stalks are starting to shrivel at the top, turn yellow or brown, or feel soft, pass on that bunch and look for a different one.

Note

Celery is a potential allergen, that may cause a severe allergic reaction in some people and this might lead to a fatal anaphylactic shock. Celery is also not good for pregnant women as its seeds contain volatile oils, flavonoids, coumarins and linoleic acid that may cause contractions in the uterus.⁽³⁾

Resource & Links

(1) https://foodrevolution.org/blog/celery-health-benefits/

(2) https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-celery.html

(3) https://www.lybrate.com/topic/benefits-of-celery-and-its-side-effects

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