Spinach - Rengamutu/Kōkihi
Spinach originated in Asia and was introduced to Europe by Arab traders during the 13th century.
When cooked and chopped, the taste is similar to silverbeet, however, spinach has a milder flavour. Spinach and silverbeet can be interchanged in recipes.
Varieties of spinach
Baby spinach
Young spinach leaves are often included in salad mixes and sold with other salad greens. Baby spinach has round to oblong leaves with a mild flavour.
New Zealand spinach - kōkihi
This is a native spinach which grows wild, has triangular leaves and trails over the ground. It is generally cooked as the leaves are coarse and slightly furry when raw. The flavour is similar to standard spinach.
What to look for
Choose crisp green leaves with no signs of wilting or blemishes.
Availability
Available: all year
Store
Refrigerate in paper bags and use promptly.
How to prepare
Trim stalks and wash. Cook spinach without additional water; the water that clings to the spinach after washing should be enough. Remove the stems only if eating raw, otherwise slice and cook with the leaves.
Ways to eat
Spinach can be eaten raw in cold or warm salads or cooked and used as a side dish, in soups or pasta sauces. It is popular in egg dishes such as soufflés, omelettes or quiches. The classic dish, Eggs Benedict, includes spinach.
Cooking methods
Boil, microwave, steam, stir fry.
Nutrition
Spinach deserves its reputation as a health enhancing vegetable, being a good source of both nutrients and phytonutrients. It is a good source of folate, a source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) magnesium and contains a dietary significant amount of potassium. It is also low in energy (kilojoules). The phytonutrients of most importance are the carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin), flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. It should be noted that spinach contains oxalic acid which can decrease the body’s absorption of calcium and iron from spinach. Cooking can reduce the effect of oxalic acid.
Nutrition table
| SPINACH - ENGLISH | Raw | |||
| Nutrition Information | ||||
| Serving Size: 1 cup chopped = 50g | ||||
| Average Quantity | % Daily Intake per serve | Average Quantity | ||
| per serving | per 100g | |||
| Energy (kJ) | 40 | 0 | 81 | Energy - low |
| Protein (g) | 1.5 | 3 | 3 | |
| Fat, total (g) | 0.1 | 0 | 0.3 | |
| - saturated (g) | 0.03 | 0 | 0.05 | |
| Available carbohydrate (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| - sugars (g) | 0 | 0 | 0 | Sugar - low, Sugar - % free |
| Dietary Fibre (g) | 1.2 | 4 | 2.4 | |
| Sodium (mg) | 8 | 0 | 17 | |
| Folate (µg) | 110 | 55% RDI* | 220 | A good source of folate |
| Vitamin A Equiv. (µg) | 142 | 19% RDI* | 283 | A source of vitamin A |
| Magnesium (mg) | 34 | 11% | 69 | A source of magnesium |
| Potassium (mg) | 410 | 820 | Contains potassium | |
| Percentage Daily Intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ | ||||
| Your daily Intakes may be higher or lower depending on your energy needs. | ||||
| *Recommended Dietary Intake (Average Adult) **Estimated Safe and Adequate Daily Dietary Intake |
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| Source: New Zealand Food Composition Database online accessed May 2024 | ||||
Retailing
Spinach is highly perishable so correct storage is essential to prolong life. Display on refrigerated shelving. Packing in plastic bags helps to retain moisture and therefore quality. Ensure spinach is kept moist. Use QR code on labels.
Store at 2-5°C with a relative humidity of 90-100%. The optimum storage temperature is 0°C, but because of the risk of the product freezing a slightly higher temperature is recommended. Spinach is ethylene sensitive so store separately from ethylene producing products.
Purchase spinach with the New Zealand GAP logo.