How much is a bunch of kale? The leafy green vegetable has confused many people. They don’t seem to have a grasp of how much it weighs and how to measure it. Some people even have no idea what kale is.
In this article, we are going to explain everything about this healthy vegetable in a detail.
What is Kale?
Kale is a kind of cabbage grown for its edible leaves. It is high in nutrients and low in calories. It is also used for ornamental purposes. Apart from green leaves, you can also find kale with purple leaves. Unlike other types of cabbages, it does not have a central head as well.
Kale has been a staple across Europe since the time of the Romans. It is one of the most nutritious foods in the world. It is rich in vitamins A, K, C, and B6, manganese, calcium, copper, magnesium, and potassium. Similarly, it has excellent antioxidant properties besides being an excellent source of vitamin C. It also helps you lower your cholesterol level and prevent heart attacks.
The above properties make it a very healthy and thus, a necessary food for dining tables.
How much is a Bunch of Kale?
A bunch of kale usually has 4-8 leaves and measures about one pound. In other words, it has 10-15 stalks with leaves and is equal to two cups. How much is one bunch of kale varies from place to place and also depends on how tightly the leaves are tight together.
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The Best Way to Weigh a Bunch of Kale?
Normally, superstores band leaves of kale together using a string or rubber band. It makes it easier for you to just pick a bunch of kale and throw it in your cart. However, different stores may offer different sizes of kale’s bunch.
The best way to measure a bunch is to weigh it on a scale. You can easily find a big scale to measure anything you want including kale in supermarkets. Generally, two cups make a bunch of kale. However, you cannot weigh it in cups. Instead, you should weigh it in ounces, kilos, pounds, or any unit you want. if measured in ounces, a bunch of kale weighs 16 ounces.
Not all superstores have scales, especially if you live in smaller towns. In this case, you have to eyeball the bunch of kale rather than weigh it. You can make a bunch yourself by tightly pushing 10 stalks together.
You can add more stalks to the bunch if it does not look as big as the ones you buy from the market. It all depends on how good you are at using your best judgment because the size will never be the same.
You can employ the same technique while cooking kale at home. Continue adding more stalks if you think your recipe needs more kale.
How much is a Bunch of Kale in Cups?
A bunch of kale is roughly equal to 2-3 cups. It usually has 10-15 stalks depending on which store you are buying it from. Similarly, the exact size and number of cups vary depending on the variety of kale and the size of the leaves.
For instance, a bunch of Curly Kale may only be 2 cups while that of Lacinto kale is equal to 3 cups.
Are All Bunches of Food Equal in Size?
Sellers use the word bunch to measure a lot of foods. However, that does not make them equal in size. For example, foods like grapefruits, lemons, bananas, limes, etc. are also measured in bunches. However, some of these bunches are bigger than others.
How many lemons or limes are in a bunch depends on how tightly they are packed and the size of these items.
Does a Bunch of Kale Include Leaves and Stems?
It includes both stems and leaves because the kale plant does not have any fruit. Therefore, you can harvest the plant with stems and leaves.
The kale plant also has most of its nutrients stored in its leaves and stems. Therefore, you should never remove them if you want to avail all the nutritional benefits of kale.
How Long Does a Bunch of Kale Last?
Kale is one of the most common kitchen ingredients in some homes. You can use it in almost any dish you want ranging from soups and stews to salads. You can buy kale from the market throughout the year. However, it is peak season is from September to early November. However, it is difficult to find fresh kale during this time as well because of its extreme popularity.
But – how long does kale last if you do find a fresh bunch? It can last for 5 to 7 days without compromising its quality and taste. However, you can extend its life by putting it in the fridge as soon as you get back home. Store it in an airtight bag and try to remove as much air as you can.
Always remove thick stems before refrigerating as well. They take a long and hard to break down. Keeping them means your leaves will wither relatively early.
You should not keep cooked kale in a fridge longer than 4 days though. Throw it away if it has been in a refrigerator longer than that.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many cups is a bunch of kale?
A bunch of kale is roughly 3 cups depending on the size of the leaves and how tightly they are bound together.
How many pounds is one bunch of kale?
A bunch of kale roughly weighs one pound. Once again, it depends on how many stalks are in the bunch and what their size is.
How many ounces are in a bunch of kale?
A regular bunch of kale weighs approximately 16 ounces. However, some resources also claim that 7 ounces of kale make a bunch. Both these measurements are correct depending on where you are buying the kale from and what is the size and number of leaves in a bunch.
Final Thoughts
Now, you know how much is a bunch of kale. It is a wonderful vegetable to include in your recipes. You can use the right amount of kale in dishes if you know how to measure it.
You can implement the above tips to buy and store the kale like a specialist and enjoy this leafy delight to the fullest.
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