Novelties in the Plant World - Their Traits, Nutritional Value, Storage Techniques
David Janitzek
2026-03-21
2 min. read
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As the spring season sets in, young vegetables begin to surface in stores, constituting a true novelty... Do we frequently contemplate whether it's worth valuing their presence during this period?
„What are the types of spring vegetables?"
The term „types of spring vegetables" refers to young edible plants that appear on the market in the spring. These include lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, young carrots, cucumbers, smoked onions, beets, and chives. They are cultivated in greenhouses, where perfect conditions for their growth prevail - lighting, temperature, and moisture are optimal here. The substrate is a mixture of peat, leafy soil, fertilizers, and microelements. This cultivation method ensures high yields and accelerates the ripening process of the plants.
Nutrient composition of new products
According to the recommendations of the Institute of Food and Nutrition, vegetables and fruits should form the basis of our diet and be included in every meal of the day. Adequate consumption of vegetables is also cited as a crucial element in the prevention of many diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. The nutrient composition of new products is comparable to that of vegetables grown in the ground. They contain a large amount of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other health-promoting constituents, such as antioxidants. However, the use of nitrogenous fertilizers in the production of new products may impact their nutrient composition, which can interfere with the absorption of vitamin A and B-vitamins in the human body.
Artificial fertilizing agents
The main concern may be the previously mentioned nitrogen fertilization. Vegetables can indeed accumulate excess nitrogen compounds in roots and leaves, which are most commonly found in vegetables such as lettuce, radish, and carrots. Nitrogen compounds naturally occur in the environment, and our body is able to excrete their excess. However, too much nitrogen in the human body can be associated with a certain risk. It can be converted into nitrites, which are a major risk factor for methemoglobinemia, especially in children, and can cause anemia. They are also precursors to carcinogenic nitrosamines, hence legal standards have been established that set the maximum allowable concentrations of nitrogen compounds used by manufacturers in food production. However, moderate consumption of these foods should not have negative health effects in adults. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that they should not form the basis of our diet in the spring.
How to properly store novelties
Whenever possible, let's opt for organically produced vegetables or sourcing them from certified vendors. It's equally important to ensure that novelties are stored correctly, as improper storage can lead to adverse processes. Storing vegetables in plastic bags is not beneficial, as the moisture that forms under such conditions can accelerate the negative metabolism of nitrates. A good method might be to wrap vegetables in kitchen paper or line a drawer in the refrigerator with baking paper.
