It’s not a tree root. What is burdock?
A biennial plant in the Asteraceae family. Primarily consumed for its long, elongated root, it’s a uniquely Japanese vegetable rarely used outside Japan.
It looks like a tree root. However, recent research has revealed several things.
It is not highly nutritious, but it is rich in dietary fiber.
Burdock root is rich in dietary fiber, which has a positive effect on the intestines, and has one of the highest contents among vegetables. Per 100g, it contains 2.3g of soluble dietary fiber and 3.4g of insoluble dietary fiber, both of which are abundant.
Inulin is a type of soluble dietary fiber. When it enters the stomach, it becomes jelly-like and envelops sugar, making it difficult for the small intestine to absorb sugar. It is said to be effective in preventing diabetes because it has the effect of slowing the rise in blood sugar levels.
Lignin is a type of insoluble dietary fiber. It is said to be effective in preventing colon cancer because it works to expel carcinogens from the intestines.
It tastes delicious once the bitterness is removed.
Soaking it in water to remove the bitterness only takes a short time. The brown substance that appears when soaked in water is polyphenol. To get the most nutrients, soak for no more than 5 minutes. If using vinegar water, soak for 1-2 minutes. If stir-frying in oil, the bitterness is not so noticeable, so it is okay to use without soaking.
Explanation of this calligraphy
The top is written in kanji, the bottom in hiragana, and all is written vertically.
