Organic Celery - the wonder vegetable!

Celery is an essential ingredient in cuisines around the world.
It is often used as an aromatic base together with carrots and onions—a combination that’s a staple in French and Italian cooking. Italians have a word for this mix - Soffritto.

In recent years, organic celery juice has become the health world’s most unlikely rock star. From A-listers sipping it like champagne to regular folks proudly posting their bright green mustaches, what started as a quiet green revolution is now a full-blown global wellness craze. Who knew the humble celery stalk would go from sad soup base to viral miracle tonic?

The book Medical Medium Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine of Our Time, Healing Millions Worldwide by Anthony William is what started it all.

The book claims celery juice can help with just about everything, including:

• Turning your cranky gut into a chill, smooth-operating digestive machine

• Balancing blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and adrenal glands

• Evicting toxins from your liver and brain 

• Giving chronic and mysterious illnesses the boot—think fatigue, brain fog, acne, eczema, ADHD, thyroid drama, autoimmune struggles, and Lyme disease

I'm not so sure about all of these claims, but there is no doubt celery is one of the best vegetables you can eat. Here’s what we do know:

Health Benefits:

The demand for organic celery is high because it’s one of the healthiest vegetables. It contains vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids. It’s a good source of vitamins A and K, as well as minerals like potassium. Celery also provides dietary fiber and antioxidants, which can contribute to heart health, improved digestion, and a potentially reduced risk of chronic diseases.

Notably, celery contains two powerful antioxidants — apigenin and luteolin. Studies have shown these antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which is beneficial in managing conditions like arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, high cholesterol, and overall cardiovascular health.

Another bonus? Celery is known to reduce cortisol, a stress hormone associated with aging. Cortisol and inflammation are considered major drivers of aging and are linked to many age-related diseases.

What to Look for When Choosing Organic Celery:

Choose celery with crisp, firm, green stalks in tightly formed bunches, preferably with leaves—the greener, the better. If the leaves are still attached, they should be fresh and vibrant. Avoid celery that is yellowing or has a thick white inner core. Also, check the cut base; it shouldn’t be excessively brown or rotting. Some oxidation is normal after harvesting, but excessive browning is not.

Storage:

Refrigerate celery in a plastic bag for up to a week or more. If your celery goes limp (but isn't slimy or discolored), it can likely be revived. Fill a jar or vase with cold water and place the stalks inside, ensuring the cut ends are fully immersed.

The Supply of Celery:

High demand and limited supply make certified organic celery one of the most volatile vegetables in the organic market. Any disruption can lead to immediate shortages. Supply is often affected by weather (and yes, we’ve had our fair share of bad weather lately), pest outbreaks, and diseases like Carrot Powdery Mildew, Celery Root Knot Nematodes, and Celery Viruses. Yes, celery can be a very finicky plant to grow.

This volatile supply is matched by a volatile price—it can jump by as much as $5 a bunch overnight.

Thanks for reading!

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