Curious if you may run through lucre that has turned scandalmongering ? allow ’s find out !

A popular member of the dough family , Kale ( Brassica oleracea var . acephala )   is acruciferous veg , likebroccoli , Brassica oleracea botrytis , andbrussels sprouts .

It is available ina variety of types , includinglacinato , curly,‘Red Russian ’ , andChinese kale . While all are extremely nutritious , they diverge in colour , shape , grain , and even relish .

A close up of dark green healthy curly kale plants growing in the garden bathed in light sunshine.

Here ’s what ’s to issue forth in this clause :

What You’ll Learn

Why Kale Turns Yellow

Is It Safe to Eat ?

Store Kale Longer By Freezing It

A vertical image showing a kale plant with slightly yellow edges contrasting with the green leaves. The background is soil and to the center and bottom of the frame is green and white text.

Possibly Safe But Not As Delicious

Most mature foliage are a shade of commons or a stunning deep purpleness . So , when you notice a few turning jaundiced , you may be wonder : are they still good to wipe out ?

While yellow can simply be a sign that your crop has gotten old , it may also be due to improper storage or disease .

A close up of a bunch of kale leaves with insect damage, turning yellow on a white background.

If it is in your electric refrigerator , yellowing is a foretoken of chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for the unripe colour – conk out down as the leaves age . This happens by nature and it ’s nothing to worry about .

As a result , storing cabbage for too long can result in leaves change by reversal yellowed over time . However , if it was fairly fresh , then you may not have been storing it properly , do it to age and go bad more quickly .

In worldwide , wise from your garden , it should last 5 - 7 days if stored correctly .

A close up of a leaf of a Brassica oleracea plant growing in the garden, in light sunshine. The background is green fading to soft focus.

So What Does Storing Correctly Mean?

The most important peak is not to wash your harvest before stack away it . Otherwise , the excess moisture can cause it to rot more quickly . Instead , wait to rinse it until you ’re quick to originate make or eating it .

The best way to stash away it is by come in the unwashed Green in a bag or container in your fridge . Just be certain not to varnish the pocketbook or container completely , as firm air flow can aid it to last longer .

attempt to avoid keeping it in the colder parts of your electric refrigerator , as the parky air can cause it to age faster . Instead , keep it in the crisper draftsman where it ’s slightly warmer .

A close up of a metal basket with a wooden handle, containing a fresh bunch of kale, in light sunshine.

As note in the first place , yellow can also be due to infection and disease .

For more information on what these diseases are and how to void them , be certain to check out our clause todiscover what causes the yellowing and thinning of kale leaves .

Is It Safe To Eat?

Whether boodle that ’s turned lily-livered is safe to eat depends on why it become yellow in the first place .

If harvest leaves turn yellow due to being stored for too long or improperly in the electric refrigerator , then they ’re likely safe as long as they do n’t show signboard of rotting or smell funky .

However , they will probably be less sapid than they would be if enjoyed at their peak of freshness , and may be unpleasantly biting .

A close up of the tops of kale leaves that are starting to turn yellow with brown bits on the tips.

So , despite being safe , your yellowing honey oil may not be that enjoyable to eat !

Now , if they turned yellow due to an infection , or have sign of rotting ( as discussed below ) , you should throw them away . Spoiled greens have the voltage to make you sickish .

mark that your kale is no longer safe to eat include :

A close up of a bunch of lacinato kale with small water droplets on them, on a dark wooden surface.

If your homegrown craw go along twist yellow in your fridge , another tip is to only pick the amount that you project to utilise powerful away , and pull up stakes the residual in your garden .

If you notice that the leaves on your growing plants are just pop out to turn jaundiced , you could extend their culinary spirit by harvest them now and storing the greens in the freezer .

To block impudent lucre , ensure to rinse it soundly and withdraw the stalk . Then you’re able to place it in zip - top memory board bags and keep in the freezer for four to six weeks .

Defrost before cooking and enjoying , oradd the raw greensstraight to your blender from the freezer to make a charmer .

To reach out its frozen shelf life even more , quick parboil the leaf in boiling water , submerse them in an ice bath to finish the preparation process , and ironical before freezing in an airtight container or ZIP code - top memory board bag . If it ’s been blanched first , it can keep for up to one year in the freezer .

The bottom demarcation is that harvested kale that ’s turned lily-livered in the fridge due to aging is likely dependable to eat , but may be undesirably bitter .

However , if the plants in your garden are turning chickenhearted , then it ’s important to figure out what ’s cause the leaf to switch colour . If it ’s due to an infection or disease , it ’s advocate that you get rid of the septic leaf and not exhaust them – to avoid potentially getting nauseous .

concerned inlearning more about planting and growing moolah ? Be sure to delay out these article next :

© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . earlier publish November 28th , 2019 . Last update January 21st , 2025 . Additional writing and redaction by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .

The content of this clause have been survey and verified by a registered dietitian for informational function only . This article should not be construed as individualized or professional aesculapian advice . Gardener ’s Path and Ask the expert , LLC assume no liability for the employment or misuse of the material presented above . Always confabulate with a medical professional before change your dieting , or using supplements or fabricate or natural medications .

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Kelli McGrane , MS , RD