A Complete Guide to Winter Storage Methods for Napa Cabbage

Storing napa cabbage for the winter has become a major event for many people as winter sets in, and the methods people use to store it vary widely: some wrap it in thick cotton quilts, some build straw-mat shelters... but experienced older folks remind you that wrapping cabbage in plastic bags to get through the winter is not a advisable approach.

When buying and storing napa cabbage, the first thing to do is keep some of the outer residual leaves. These residual leaves, after natural air-drying, form a "protective film" that keeps moisture inside the cabbage from being lost. Store the cabbage in a cool, ventilated place, and after a period of time turn the pile over, top to bottom, to let the cabbage "breathe." When temperatures drop, you can cover it with straw mats, burlap sacks and the like, but never wrap the cabbage individually in paper, plastic products or similar items. The practice some city residents follow of wrapping each head of cabbage in a plastic bag to get through the winter is not advisable, as it easily speeds up rotting.

Storage methods for napa cabbage include pit storage and cellar storage. The flat-ground storage method is as follows:

First, choose the site. Choose a spot that is sheltered from the wind, dry and well-drained, and determine the size of the area according to how much napa cabbage you have.

Second, dry the cabbage. Harvest the cabbage at the Start of Winter (Lidong), and after harvesting, place it with the roots facing south and leave it in place to dry for 3 to 4 days, turning it over once in between.

Third, stack the cabbage. Place the dried napa cabbage with the roots facing down, stacking it tightly and firmly, and block it in on all sides with bundles of corn stalks laid flat.

Fourth, sort the cabbage. Sort the cabbage around Minor Snow (Xiaoxue), removing the yellowed and rotting leaves at the base of each head, then tear off the blades of the outer few leaves, leaving the stalks to protect the heart of the cabbage, and spread the removed leaves over the sorted heads, which can serve to block the sun during the day and protect against the cold at night.

Fifth, cover the cabbage. Around Major Snow (Daxue), cover the napa cabbage with a layer of plastic film, pressing down the edges all around to keep the wind from blowing it open.

Sixth, check the temperature. The most suitable storage temperature for napa cabbage is 0°C to 2°C. Above 5°C it easily loses its outer leaves, and below minus 5°C it is prone to freeze damage. So during storage you should check frequently, and when the temperature is too high or too low, timely remedial measures should be taken.