Spinach is a widely used vegetable that originated in Asia. Even though Popeye was invented to encourage little ones to eat their spinach, it’s a great vegetable and choosing good quality spinach is an important part of enjoying the experience.
Step One
Choose spinach that has crisp, green leaves. It should appear as if it were just picked, firm, and un-wilted.
Step Two
Avoid spinach that has yellowed or browned leaves. Discard any spinach with blemishes or signs of rot.
Step Three
Store spinach in a plastic bag. Place it in the refrigerator. Don’t place it anywhere near ethylene-producing fruit, such as bananas or apples, or it will decay prematurely.
Step Four
Take care where you leave the spinach in the fridge. Spinach can freeze when stored at 0ºC or below. Ensure that the fridge temperature is higher than that.
Step Five
Consume within 2 to 3 days of purchase. Spinach does not last a long time after picking and purchase and is best eaten fresh.
Step Six
Wash the leaves thoroughly before cooking. This will remove soil, or any other contaminants. Spinach doesn’t need any water when cooking though, so dry well before use.