Chinese toon sprouts are rich in nutritional value; blanching them before eating is safer

Chinese toon sprouts are the tender shoots that emerge in early spring from the Chinese toon tree (Toona sinensis), also called toon heads or toon tips. They are a traditional seasonal spring vegetable in China, and because they grow on trees, they are often called a vegetable from the tree. Their aroma is uniquely rich, and the tender shoots harvested around Grain Rain are at their most tender, making them a taste of spring that many people look forward to.

From a nutritional standpoint, Chinese toon sprouts contain protein, vitamin C, vitamin E and carotene, as well as minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron. They also contain flavonoids and volatile aromatic compounds, which is exactly why they have their distinctive smell. As a type of leafy green vegetable, eating them in moderation can add variety to the daily diet and supply diverse nutrients.

The most common ways to eat Chinese toon sprouts are scrambled eggs with Chinese toon and Chinese toon mixed with tofu; they can also be chopped and used in pancakes, tossed with noodles, or pickled as a side dish. Whichever method is used, it is recommended to blanch them quickly in boiling water first, which removes some of the astringency and oxalic acid and also helps keep the color bright green.

It should be noted that Chinese toon sprouts contain a certain amount of nitrite. The longer they are stored and the older the sprouts, the higher the content tends to be, so it is best to eat freshly picked, tender sprouts; those stored for a long time or pickled for only a short time should not be eaten in large amounts. Cooking them after blanching can significantly reduce the nitrite content. Pregnant women and people with sensitive stomachs should eat less and be cautious.