Chard

APPEARANCE: Measuring some 12 to 18” in length, this is probably the longest leafy vegetable in market. To distinguish it from gaai choi, which is a mustard green with wide, ribbed leafstalks, note that the leaves of jiu la choi have smooth (not serrate or notched) edges, and that the leaf bases broadly wrap themselves more than half way around the stem. Other subtle characteristics separate the two but defy description.

QUALITY: Choose stalks with large, well-formed leaf midribs because this is the best part of the vegetable for eating.