Availability and Selection

Stocked nearly year-round in Japanese, Korean, and some natural foods stores, burdock root can also be found at farmers’ markets in late summer, autumn, and early winter, from plants sown in early spring. Look for long, slender roots no more than 1 inch/2.5 centimeters in diameter. The young roots are less fibrous than the more mature ones. The brownish, sometimes dirt-cloaked skin should be free of bruises and cracks and the root should feel firm and stiff, rather than flabby and flexible. Roots available in Asian markets can be up to 1 yard/1 meter long; roots grown locally and sold at farmers’ markets are typically 12 to 14 inches/30.5 to 35.5 centimeters long. You will usually see them loose rather than bundled.