All About Celery

Cooking celery softens its texture, mellowing its initially crisp bite. The flavor deepens as the vegetable caramelizes, developing sweeter undertones. The mild bitterness of raw celery gives way to a more nuanced taste profile, with a gentle earthiness and nuttiness. Whether used in soups, stews, or stir-fries, cooked celery adds depth and complexity to a wide range of dishes. 

Growing celery

You can tell celery is ready to pick by the plant’s overall size and the development of its stalks. Mature celery plants are typically about 12-18 inches tall and have a well-developed bunch of stalks in the center. The stalks should be firm, crisp, and have a rich green color. You can start harvesting individual stalks when they reach a desirable size and thickness, usually around 8-12 inches long. If you cut the stalks from the base of the plant, it will continue to produce more stalks.

Purchased celery

When purchasing fresh celery from a store or market, look for celery with tight, compact bunches of stalks. The stalks should be firm and free from soft spots, wilting, or discoloration, while the leaves on the top of the celery should be fresh and vibrant — not wilted or brown. Overall, the celery should have a fresh, mildly earthy aroma. 

To store celery and keep it fresh, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or a resealable plastic bag to maintain its crispness. You can also place it in an airtight container. Refrigerate the celery in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Ensure it stays dry and doesn’t get exposed to excess moisture. 

If you’ve already cut the celery, place it in a container with some water, like a jar or a tall glass, covering the cut ends, and keep it in the fridge. When stored properly, celery can stay fresh for up to two to four weeks.

Yes, you can freeze celery, but keep in mind that freezing can change its texture. Blanching the celery before freezing is recommended to preserve color and texture. Frozen celery is best used in cooked dishes like soups, stews, and casseroles, where the change in texture is less noticeable.

Some of the key celery-growing regions include the United States, with California, Florida, and Michigan being notable celery-growing states. In Europe, celery is cultivated in several countries, with France, Spain, and Italy being prominent celery producers. Canada, specifically Ontario, is involved in celery cultivation, and in Asia, countries like China and India grow celery to meet domestic demand and sometimes export to other regions. These regions provide the ideal growing conditions, such as well-drained, fertile soil and a temperate climate, for celery to flourish.