Sailor Popeye isn’t the only one who loves spinach. These easy-to-grow vegetables are very healthy for us, which is why they are included in many delicious recipes. But did you know that there are different types of spinach? So that’s it.
So that you can learn a little more about the different varieties that exist, we will comment on the most popular in this article. Surely you have already tried more than one.
How many kinds of spinach are there?
There are many different types of spinach, but they can be distinguished into two main groups: Slow growing and fast growing. The former are better suited to warm climates and thrive in summer and late spring. On the other hand, the fast-growing ones prefer cool climates and their culture is carried out in autumn, at the end of winter and at the beginning of spring. However, we will talk in more detail about the different varieties themselves.
smooth leaf spinach
Let’s start with smooth leaf spinach. As the name suggests, the leaves of this variety are smooth and not wavy as is usually the case with these vegetables. The big advantage of this function is that it is very easy to clean. Although they usually sell it in supermarkets already pre-washed, it’s best to run it through water at home, just in case. Smooth leaf spinach is usually eaten cooked, but it can also be very tasty in an omelet, for example.
spinach tye
Another type of spinach is Tyee. It has thick dark green leaves. They belong to the group of semi-savory spinach. Therefore, the flavor of this variety is exquisite whether eaten raw or cooked. When it comes to growing Tyee spinach, the best time to grow them is in the fall. This variety is normally harvested in early spring, preferably during the day when temperatures hover around forty degrees.
Catherine with spinach
Catalina spinach is also a very popular variety. Its leaves are small, crisp and bright green. The shape of the vegetable is oval. It is a plant that resists very well to high temperatures. it can also withstand light frost and shade in summer. In addition, its growth is rapid, as it usually takes at most forty days to reach its maximum size. The most common way to consume this variety is in salads.
In the case of Catalina spinach, it doesn’t need to be planted during the hottest, harshest days of summer. According to experts, the ideal conditions for carrying out this task are the cooler months of the fall and spring seasons.
nipple spinach
Teton spinach is a very healthy hybrid. The leaves produced by this vegetable are tender and dark green. It can be differentiated from other types of spinach because its leaves grow vertically, and very fast too. It should also be noted that it does not bloom. It is a survival mechanism that this type of spinach has developed to be able to withstand the hottest periods of the year. Therefore, the seeds of this plant should be sown during the colder months. Otherwise, it is highly likely that the Teton spinach will not be able to survive.
Indian Summer or Indian Summer Spinach
Indian Summer spinach, also known as Indian Summer, cannot be missing from this list. It is a vegetable with crisp, dark leaves, whose length usually reaches between 25 and 30 centimeters. The best time to grow this variety are the cool seasons: fall and spring. 35 to 40 days after planting, Indian Summer spinach matures and can be harvested.
It should be noted that when growing this type of spinach Various maintenance tasks need to be performed. For this reason, it is recommended to plant this vegetable with some previous experience in planting and growing spinach. It is very important to monitor the pests, the sun, the amount of soil and the pH level.
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Growing and caring for spinach
Cardinal red spinach
Among the most common types of spinach are also cardinal reds. As indicated by his name, This variety has a slightly reddish tone, similar to beets. They are very popular in salads. However, it is the variety that bolts the fastest. For this reason, they should be harvested while still quite young.
Needless to say, it’s also the type of spinach that faster maturity. In just 21 to 32 days, they can be harvested in spring and summer. If we are in winter or autumn, it usually takes 25-35 days to ripen. As for the ideal temperature for growing cardinal red spinach, it should be warm. We need to make sure it gets at least six hours of sunshine a day and moderate risk.
spicy spinach
spicy spinach grows very well in a wide variety of fertile, moist soils. However, it is a very sensitive plant to acidity. For this reason, it must be ensured that the pH is between 6.5 and 7.5. This variety germinates much better in cool climates, so the best time to plant it is early spring. In case it is planted in summer, germination may occur irregularly. In order for this vegetable to grow without problems during the hottest time of the year, it is very important to water correctly to refresh the soil and improve germination. If we want to harvest spicy spinach in the fall, we must plant it in late summer.
Types of spinach: Savoie spinach
Particularly noteworthy is the Savoy spinach. It is the best known of all. The leaves of this vegetable have a wavy and wrinkled appearance. In addition, they are quite thick and dark green in color. Before cooking this variety, it is very important to wash it well, a task that can be somewhat difficult due to its crunchiness. Therefore, it is better to soak them in water for some time, until they are very clean.
While it is true that Savoy spinach is most commonly eaten cooked, it can also be prepared fried, in stews, soups, salads, creams, pasta, purees, green smoothies or to accompany Fish. We can buy this variety packed in airtight packages in the markets. Some examples for this type of spinach would be Bloomsdal and Regiment.
Spinach regiment
The regiment is a hybrid type that It is distinguished mainly by its wide and thick leaves. It is usually grown in spring and fall and takes only 37 days to germinate. Therefore, the yield of seedlings is very fast. In addition, it has a lot of flavor, which makes Regiment spinach ideal for cooking it the way we like it the most. When eaten fresh and raw, its crunchy texture makes it a good choice for stews and stir-fries.
Spinach Bloomsdales
As for Bloomsdale, it is one of the oldest varieties of spinach. Its leaves are curly and long and its cultivation takes place in spring in sunny places. It is important to water them abundantly in times of drought and to ensure that their growth is maintained. As a curious fact, it should be noted that it is the type of spinach that famous sailor Popeye ate.
semi-salted spinach
Another type of spinach belonging to the Savoyard variety is semi-Savoyard. The development of this one is less intense, that is to say: It is lighter and its texture is less, but it retains the properties of its predecessor. In addition, it is very easy to cultivate, because it is very resistant to diseases. Even so, it is not marketed as much. They can be prepared perfectly fried or creamed. However, it is important to wash it well to remove any dirt that may remain in the corrugations of its leaves.
Like the other varieties of Savoie, it also contains high levels of iron, fiber, folate and magnesium. These are extremely important elements for maintaining good muscle function, regulating heart rate, stabilizing blood pressure and supporting the immune system. Another remarkable feature of this species is that it helps heal gastric ulcers and gastritis.
What are baby spinach?
Another very notable type of spinach is baby spinach, which is becoming increasingly popular. It is a variety of spinach with smooth leaves. However, the baby grew before and its collection is premature. In fact, it receives the name “baby” (“baby” in English) because of the short development time it has. As a result, its size is smaller and its appearance is softer, sweeter and more tender.
It is therefore not surprising that this variety is the favorite for the preparation of sandwiches, gourmet starters and salads. In addition, consuming it raw maintains its high vitamin C levels. Another characteristic to note is that it contains fewer calories in this way, which makes it an excellent ally if we want to lose weight. They usually sell baby spinach with their stems on as they can also be eaten as they are quite tender. Of all the types of spinach, it is the one that contains the least oxalic acid.
Undoubtedly, all types of spinach are delicious and very healthy if eaten in proper portions. What’s your favorite?