Celery facts for kids
Celery is a green plant that grows in wet, marshy areas. People have been growing and eating it as a vegetable for a very long time. Celery has a long, crunchy stalk that leads up to its leaves. We eat different parts of the celery plant, like the stalks, leaves, or even the root, depending on where it's grown. Celery seeds are also used as a spice, and parts of the plant are used in medicines.
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How Celery is Harvested and Stored
Farmers pick celery when it's the right size to sell. Because all the celery plants in a field grow at about the same speed, the field is usually harvested only once. Workers remove the stalks and leaves.
Celery is then sorted by its size and how good it looks. They check its color, shape, and how straight and thick the stalks are. They also make sure there are no diseases, cracks, or insect damage.
For shipping, celery is packed into boxes. These boxes can hold between 36 and 48 stalks and weigh up to 60 pounds. To keep celery fresh, it's stored in cool places, usually between 0 and 2 degrees Celsius (32 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit). If it's kept a little warmer, the inner stalks might even keep growing!
To make celery last longer, it can be wrapped in special plastic that helps keep it fresh. When celery stalks are cut, they can start to spoil quickly. Using sharp knives, handling it gently, and keeping things clean helps prevent this.
Ways People Use Celery
People all over the world eat celery as a vegetable. In North America, the crisp, crunchy leaf stalk is the most popular part to eat. In Europe, people often eat the root part of the plant.
The leaves have a strong flavor. They are sometimes used to add taste to soups and stews, or they can be dried and used as a herb.
Celery is an important ingredient in many different types of cooking. For example, in Louisiana, celery, onions, and bell peppers are called the "holy trinity" of cooking. In French cooking, celery, onions, and carrots make up a mix called "mirepoix," which is often the base for sauces and soups. Celery is also a common ingredient in many soups, like chicken noodle soup.
Celery Seeds
In some countries with mild weather, celery is grown just for its seeds. These "seeds" are actually very tiny fruits. They contain a special oil that is used to make perfumes and medicines.
Celery seeds can be used as a spice. You can use them whole or grind them up to add flavor to your food.
Celery Salt
Celery seeds can be ground up and mixed with salt to make celery salt. This seasoning can also be made from celery roots or dried leaves. Celery salt is used to flavor foods like the famous Chicago-style hot dog. It's also a key ingredient in a popular seasoning blend called Old Bay Seasoning.
Celery in Herbal Remedies
Long ago, around 30 AD, a Roman writer named Aulus Cornelius Celsus wrote about using celery seeds in pills to help with pain.
Some studies have looked at how celery might affect blood pressure. One study found that a compound in celery seeds might help lower blood pressure in rats. Other studies have explored if celery juice could help lower high blood pressure in people.
Images for kids
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A close-up view of a celery stalk.
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Leaf celery, which is also known as Chinese celery.
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Celery tissue seen through a microscope.
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An ancient coin from Selinunte, showing a celery leaf.
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An old drawing of the Apium plant from a book made around 1400.
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See also
In Spanish: Apium graveolens para niños
