table of contents
- Pungent bitter arugula: causes
- Remove bitter substances
- frequently asked Questions
If rocket tastes bitter or a little hotter, many people can no longer enjoy it. You can prepare the rocket accordingly to reduce the bitter content.
In a nutshell
- Due to the mustard oils it contains, rocket has a spicy to bitter taste
- Mustard oils are not harmful to health
- Storage, harvest time and leaf length are decisive for the aroma
- do not wait too long to consume or process them
- Water can effectively remove the bitter substances
Pungent bitter arugula: causes
Garden mustard (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is one of the most popular types of plant for salads, but for various reasons it can taste too hot or too bitter. The most common cause of the bitter taste is too long and dark storage. Rocket should ideally be consumed or processed quickly after harvesting. This also applies to the time of harvest. Senfrauke should always be short before flowering be harvested because the intensity of the bitter substances increases sharply after flowering. The best time to harvest as follows:
- 3 to 6 weeks after sowing
- by September at the latest
- no longer after flowering
Tip: If you are not sure when to harvest the rocket leaves, you can also pay attention to the length. A length of no more than ten centimeters is particularly recommended, because larger ones contain more mustard oils.
Remove bitter substances
If you want to enjoy the arugula with a finer flavor, wash the leaves with warm water before preparing. To improve its effectiveness, you can also soak the Senfrauke in ice water for about 30 minutes. If that takes too long for you, use sweeteners for your dressings or rocket creations, for example pesto. The sugar it contains acts immediately against the sharpness and bitterness. The following are well suited for this:
- honey
- Maple syrup
- Agave syrup
- sugar
Note: The amount of bitter substances in the rocket can also increase if you sow the seeds of the same mother plant every year. The offspring usually contain higher amounts of mustard oils, which affects the intensity of the taste.
frequently asked Questions
But on the contrary. Mustard oils are very healthy for the body and are even said to prevent the formation of cancer. The bitter substances contained in mustard oil decompose when consumed to isothiocyanates, which in turn are supposed to have a cancer preventive effect. In combination with the antioxidants it also contains, the Senfrauke prevents oxidative stress.
Yes, the leafy vegetables contain nitrate. Nitrate itself is harmless to humans and can even be consumed in large quantities. However, there is a problem when the nitrate is converted into nitrite, because this substance is said to be carcinogenic. Nitrite is produced in the rocket when the leaves begin to dry out or are stored in the dark. Use the leafy greens as fresh as possible and remove the stems as they contain more nitrate.
If you want to be on the safe side with the bitter substances, you should preferably buy rocket or their leafy vegetables in summer. The more sun the plant has received, the fresher and spicier the leaves taste, without the bitter or sharp notes predominating.
