Culinary Uses of Celery
Celery’s crunchy texture and mild, slightly peppery flavor make it incredibly versatile in the kitchen:
- Soups and Stocks: A key ingredient in the classic mirepoix (celery, onions, and carrots) to flavor soups and stews.
- Snacking: Enjoy raw celery sticks with peanut butter, hummus, or cream cheese.
- Juicing: Celery juice has become a trendy health drink, though scientific evidence for all claimed benefits is still limited.
- Seasoning: Celery seeds and celery salt add flavor to dishes, from Bloody Mary cocktails to salad dressings.
Fun Facts About Celery
- Celery stalks have natural stringy fibers, which some people remove for a smoother texture.
- The tallest recorded celery stalk was over 6 feet (about 2 meters) long.
- In the Victorian era, celery was considered a delicacy and featured at fancy dinners.
- Celery acts as a natural diuretic, helping reduce bloating and remove excess water from the body.
