Savoy and normal spinach are both dark green, but unlike the smooth leaves of the regular variety, the savoy type has crinkled leaves. "Baby spinach" is a term typically used to describe spinach that has been harvested during a fairly early stage of plant growth, usually between 15-35 days after planting. Sauté until the spinach has completely wilted down. Baby spinach comes from the smallest leaves of the flat-leaf variety and has all the health benefits of large-leaf spinach. Baby Spinach vs. Lettuce. Does baby spinach have all the same health, Dear Peggy: I prefer the taste of fresh baby spinach to full-grown. Do baby spinach and regular spinach feel the same? This type of spinach has attractive and dark green leaves. We hope you’ll find lots of useful info here and the answers to pretty much whatever you’re looking for. There are two basic types of spinach: flat-leaf and savoy. There are three common types of spinach—flat, savoy and semi-savoy. That being said, if you connect the spinach vegetable with savoy, semi-savoy, or wild spinach, then they are technically different from baby spinach! Sauté the Aromatics. Add the onions and celery. Yes, And Here’s How. Semi-Savoy Spinach. Flat leaf spinach is quite mild, slightly earthy, and very crisp when bitten! As foods tend to taste and look different depending on their age, baby spinach is in fact slightly different in both taste and look than its older version and other kinds of spinach. It is sold loose or pre-washed and packaged. Both baby and adult flat leaf spinach have a very distinctive texture, especially in the mouth. So, if by “spinach,” you mean flat or smooth leaf, then no: they are not different! So, we decided to share with you all the info we discover throughout our journey. Since baby spinach is merely made up of the youngest leaves of the flat leaf spinach plant, it has a very similar look to its adult counterpart. It’s not an allergy; that dry feeling is just the oxalic acid mixing with your saliva! However, all of them are quite similar, which is why one may be tempted to categorize them simply as “spinach.”. Once harvested, Savoy Spinach is placed in highly sophisticated, ice-packed, sanitized containers designed specifically to handle Savoy Spinach as it is sent to re- … While baby spinach is plucked between 15-20 days of plant growth, adult spinach, or spinach that we know is plucked 45-60 days after planting. Its flavor tends to be a bit richer, but certainly not overpowering. Spinach VS baby spinach: are they the same? But, again, when a green grocer says “baby spinach,” they mean young flat or smooth leaf. Savoy spinach has curly leaves, and semi-savoy has slightly curly leaves. We're usually familiar with baby spinach in the grocery store because of its small leaves, tender texture, and sweet taste in comparison with mature, fully formed spinach leaves. For the most part, yes! That’s why, when you take a nibble of either adult or baby spinach, you will feel a bit of a squeak on your teeth that lets you know you’ve eaten spinach! Baby spinach is a type of flat-leaf spinach that has been picked … In fact, many seem to enjoy savoy spinach more than the rest because of its unique texture and deep flavor! The amount of frozen spinach called for here is 10 ounces, which is the most common size package of frozen spinach; it will yield slightly more spinach than one pound of fresh spinach … Do baby spinach and regular spinach taste the same? Its flavor is strong and more earthy than regular spinach, and its tougher texture makes it chewier. The Pundit has never understood why the FDA included curly leaf, or savoy, spinach in its recommendation not to consume when it is a distinctly different product than the baby leaf bagged spinach that was implicated. Baby spinach is typically harvested when the leaves are approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Though not traditionally sold in stores, you can have baby savoy spinach, which will have the same curly, bumpy, folded leaves as adult savoy! DIRECT SEEDING RATE: For baby leaf: 1M/25', 25M/125', 1,200M/acre at 40 seeds/ft. The leaves of savoy spinach are thicker, rounder, usually darker green, and range from very crinkled to … Taste of Home is America's #1 cooking magazine. As the name implies, flat-leaf spinach has smooth leaves. If you've heard about spinach nutrition, you know this leafy green powerhouse provides many vitamins and minerals. Harvest spinach full size but before bolting, cutting just below root attachment for "rooted spinach", or cut higher for "clipped spinach". At only 7 calories per cup, it packs a healthy dose of vitamins A and C plus folate, iron and calcium. Lettuce and baby spinach are two vegetables touted by nutritionists and weight-loss experts as low-calorie additions to a well-balanced healthy diet. Like other leafy greens, baby spinach has a high water content and is harvested 35 days after planting (DAP) instead of … They are also used similarly in meal planning. As the name implies, flat-leaf spinach has smooth leaves. Do baby spinach and regular spinach look the same? Place cabbage rolls, seam-side down, in 5- or 6-quart slow cooker. Can You Eat Raw Pumpkin? It is basically the same spinach, but it is harvested at an early stage of the plant growth. Some cultivars have a slow growth habit, which allows them to be harvested as baby spinach for an extended period. Basically, when you eat adult spinach, it may taste as though you are eating the color green! I like spinach, and used to buy and prepare it often. However, baby spinach is actually quite sweet; not sugar sweet, but still sweet. As it is still young, the tannins in its leaves are not fully developed, so that characteristic bitter flavor is much more mild in baby spinach. Carmel Spinach | These spinach plants are fast-growing, upright, uniform and semi-savoy types of spinach. Top with tomato sauce. Baby spinach, as the name implies, is standard spinach leaves harvested when they are young and tender. Plus, we touched upon interesting spinach facts in our article titled “What Does Spinach Taste Like!” Go ahead and check it out if you’re interested! The degree of texture varies from semi-savoyed to deeply savoyed. This chemical also provides both adult and baby spinach with its well-known dry and fuzzy feeling in the mouth. Seasons/Availability Grown in cooler regions of California, Savoy spinach is available year-round. Squeeze. They are essentially the same leafy green, with the youngest leaves being picked when they’re still small. Spinach is a cousin to beets (and beet greens) and Swiss chard, also members of the chenopod group. ‘Space’ is another smooth-leaved, bolt-resistant variety suitable for later plantings. Savoy spinach can certainly be eaten raw as the base for a salad, but this particular variety of spinach does best when cooked at least a little. Reduce the heat to low. Baby spinach is flat-leaf spinach that is harvested very young. Baby spinach comes from the smallest leaves of the flat-leaf variety and has all the health benefits of large-leaf spinach . There's also a hybrid of the curly and flat leaf varieties, known as semi-savoy [source: University of Georgia]. There are two major types of leaf textures. Spinach is available in different varieties: savoy spinach, which has dark green curly leaves, flat-leaf or smooth spinach, which has no wrinkles and is easier to clean and semi-savoy spinach, a mixture of savoy and flat leaf spinach. Though not traditionally sold in stores, you can have baby savoy spinach, which will have the same curly, bumpy, folded leaves as adult savoy! Flat-leaf spinach is best eaten raw. So, what makes baby spinach baby spinach? Current Facts Savoy spinach, botanically classified as Spinacia oleracea, is an heirloom variety. At only 7 calories per cup, it packs a healthy dose of vitamins A and C plus folate, iron and calcium. It was the dark green, curly, non-baby kind, which stood up well to being cooked and kept its "body" reasonably well (technically called savoy spinach), and usually came either loose or in celo bags. Baby Savoy Spinach Bag 324201 4 x 2.5 lbs 16 days 70 10/7 Baby Spinach Bag 301204 898634 001278 12 x 10 oz 16 days 70 10/7 Baby Spinach Clamshell 875055 816719 020013 2 x 1 lb 16 days 140 10/14 Baby Spinach Bag 302202 2 x 2 lbs 16 days 160 10/16 Bag 300406 4 lbs 16 days 160 10/16 True spinach (Spinacea oleracia) grows best in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall, although early and late varieties can extend the season into summer and winter. Yes, And Here’s What To Do With Them, Can You Eat Rhubarb Raw ? Baby spinach comes from the smallest leaves of the flat-leaf variety and has all the health benefits of large-leaf spinach. The grains quinoa and amaranth are members of this same plant family. Similar to white, green, and black tea leaves (each of which are different aged leaves of the same plant), baby spinach is flat leaf spinach that has been picked off the plant when it is still small. And finally, the black sheep of the group is wild spinach, also called lamb’s quarters. As you can imagine, baby spinach is simply called that because it is young spinach. Wilt the Spinach. Cross Valley Farms® Baby Savoy Spinach Blend is fresh cut with no additives. It has a slightly sweet taste and, when harvested early, is called baby spinach. Savoy-leaf spinach has crinkled or blistered leaves that give it the wonderful textured appearance considered traditional for spinach in the Eastern US. How To Make Spinach Pie. Add the shallot to the bacon fat in the skillet and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. AVG. Savoy spinach has curly leaves, and semi-savoy has slightly curly leaves. Swiss Chard VS Rhubarb – Differences & How To Tell Them Apart, Can You Over Boil Potatoes ? This is, in fact, the wild variety of spinach that many gardeners will recognize as a mere weed they love to rip out of the soil every spring to make room for, ironically, domesticated spinach plants, among others! It has a thick leaf that doesn’t bruise as easily as some types, even when small. 2005). So, don’t worry! Baby spoon spinach: Rich-green, baby spoon spinach is a savoy type spinach, but—as its name suggests—is smaller in size than regular savoy. Therefore, if you are not a huge fan of that green, earthy flavor, you may want to test the waters with baby spinach first! Great for salads, sides, sandwich toppers, entrée garnish and sautéed We strongly prefer Savoy (curly) over flat-leaf or baby spinach for cooking. Curly VS Flat Parsley – How To Choose, And Which Is Better ? These two foods are accessible year-round and relatively inexpensive. STORAGE: Store at 32°F (0°C) and 95% relative humidity for 10-14 days. —S.B., Granby, Massachusetts. See Growing Spinach for information on how to grow spinach. Savoy spinach is also known as "Curly leaf" spinach, because of its deeply crinkled leaves. in rows at least 2" apart. They are filled with water and something called oxalic acid, both of which combine with other chemicals in the plant to form a unique bite! Traditional adult spinach usually tastes quite mild, but still bitter and earthy. Baby spinach and flat leaf adult spinach both have long stems, round leaves, and a bright, saturated green color. Absolutely, and Here’s How! Can You Substitute Pumpkin? That being said, both are quite delicious and good for you, so they can usually be used interchangeably in dishes from boiled spinach to homemade spinach and feta pizza! Make sure to buy bunches that are dark green with crisp leaves. Fold in opposite sides and roll up to enclose filling. After all, it is sold all over the world and highly popularized because of its small, cute, and tasty qualities! So, let’s talk about these differences so you know exactly what kinds of spinach you’ll want to buy! Knowing this now, you may be wondering if baby spinach is one of those four. Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Spinach, Dear Peggy: I prefer the taste of fresh baby spinach to full-grown. As we mentioned, baby spinach is actually flat leaf spinach that has been harvested in its youth! Is there a difference between spinach and baby spinach? Spinach is an annual plant (rarely biennial) growing as tall as 30 cm (1 ft).Spinach may overwinter in temperate regions.The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to triangular, and very variable in size: 2–30 cm (1–12 in) long and 1–15 cm (0.4–5.9 in) broad, with larger leaves at the base of the plant and small leaves higher on the flowering stem. Seasons/Availability Savoy spinach is available year-round. Then, you’ve got a mixture of the two above types: semi-savoy. • Baby Savoy Spinach Blend Pork Roulade with Goat Cheese and Hummus • Baby Savoy Spinach Blend, wilted, with Egg Key ingredients • Baby spinach • Semi-Savoy spinach • Baby red chard • Baby scarlet kale • Frisée Our spinach blend is a light, vibrant salad that … In trialing spinach varieties, Johnny's seeks a combination of flavor, rapid growth, slowness to bolt, and disease resistance. Baby spinach is actually just the smaller, younger leaves of the flat or smooth leaf spinach variety! Then add all the fresh herbs to the pan. This is that beautifully dark green, bumpy, almost kale looking spinach. "Space" is a popular variety in this category. Sauté to soften and release moisture from the vegetables. Savoy spinach has curly leaves, and semi-savoy has slightly curly leaves. Since we understand that this could be a bit confusing, we’ll be discussing the four different kinds of spinach next! (39 days to harvest) ‘Tyee’ is a fast-growing savoy type with thick dark green leaves, similar to Melody. This type of spinach takes an average of 25 days to grow baby leaves and 5 weeks for full maturity. The Savoy spinach offers a classic spinach flavor, with mild winter-like undertones. So, just keep reading to find out if there is truly a difference between common spinach and baby spinach! Best Green Onion Substitute – 5 Ideas To Try In A Pinch, Best Black Bean Substitute – 11 Ideas To Try. This site is owned and operated by Ciuraru Dragos PFA, and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This is typically the type of spinach used in frozen and canned spinach, baby foods, soups and processed foods. Good for both baby spinach and full grown plants. This variety is sweeter than the larger savoy and the stems are more tender. Baby spinach and flat leaf adult spinach both have long stems, round leaves, and a bright, saturated green color. There are different varieties of spinach, including the most popular savoy, semi-savoy, and flat-leafed varieties. Whether you’re connoisseurs of fresh, leafy greens, avid gardeners always looking for new plant info, or just curious minds like us, you may be surprised to know that there are actually four different kinds of spinach! This Viral Video Shows You How to Make Hot Cocoa Bombs at Home, Dry-Rub Grilled Pork Chops over Cannellini Greens, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. We made Foodiosity.com because we are very passionate and curious about food and food stuffs, and we’ve always got a ton of questions. Semi-savoy, as the name would suggest, is only partly akin to savoy spinach, while also being part flat leaf! As it is wild, its flavor is much more earthy and bitter, and its texture and look is pointed and slightly fuzzy rather than the traditional round, smooth (or bumpy) spinach leaves you buy at the grocery store. Though most folks will say that there are only 3 kinds of spinach, there is a fourth that tends to slip under the radar! As the name implies, flat-leaf spinach has smooth leaves. We Have the Answer and MORE! Curly leaf spinach, sometimes known as savoy spinach, has wrinkly leaves and is often found in pre-washed packages at supermarkets or on salad bars. Baby spinach is a relatively new crop in South Africa with both commercial significance ... than 6 cm), sweet tender and smoother than semi-savoy or savoy spinach (Bergquist et al. Red spinach leaves are … This means its color is a bit lighter, like flat leaf spinach, while its texture is slightly bumpy like savoy! Though, most agree that there are three categories, there is a special fourth that we’ll discuss later! Taste is the real game changer when it comes to spinach and baby spinach. Screen shot of www.curlyleafspinach.com. The next spinach variety is called savoy. Baby spoon spinach is a savoy-type spinach but with a much smaller leaf size. Spinach has varying leaf shapes and textures. Crispy and coarse, it is sweeter than the … Place the ghee in a sauté pan. Spinach varieties come in Savoy, Semi-savoy, and Flat-leafed types, with many cultivars of each. Place 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture in center of each cabbage leaf. Plus, it tends to be a bit less earthy, as well! Does baby spinach have all the same health benefits? Next add the spinach. The same goes for baby savoy spinach and its adult counterpart. The leaves are big and hearty, compared to the baby spinach that many people use in salads. Here are types of spinach you’re likely to find at stores and farmers’ markets. The first type is the flat or smooth leaf variety. Meanwhile, to make filling, stir together ricotta, spinach, scallions, egg, grated Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in large bowl. If you’ve got any other food curiosities be sure to check the related articles below, we’re always adding more food facts to make your life that much easier. This spinach has dark forest green leaves, are thick, range from five to six inches and are extremely hardy. Savoy spinach has a more substantial, winter greens taste and texture than standard spinach. Enjoy this healthy green with any meal. The same goes for baby savoy spinach and its adult counterpart. Here we go! Smooth-leaf spinach produces light to dark green leaves with an oblong shape. When you buy fresh, bunched spinach at the grocery store, it is usually savoy spinach. Varieties, known as `` curly leaf '' spinach, but still sweet some have. 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture in center of each kale looking spinach are extremely hardy are fast-growing upright! Slightly sweet taste and, when a green grocer says “ baby spinach for an extended period if! And roll up to enclose filling spinach comes from the vegetables saturated green color with saliva. Per cup, it tends to be harvested as baby spinach comes from the vegetables hearty, to. Here are types of spinach, as well Recipes Ingredients vegetables spinach and... In center of savoy spinach vs baby spinach cabbage leaf actually just the oxalic acid mixing with your saliva:... Spinach has attractive and dark green with crisp leaves “ spinach. ”, and semi-savoy humidity for days! The first type is the real game changer when it comes to spinach and regular spinach while! We hope you ’ re looking for the taste of fresh baby spinach smaller size. Three categories, there is truly a difference between common spinach and spinach! Facts savoy spinach though you are eating the color green black sheep of the flat-leaf variety has. Leaf size leaf adult spinach, while its texture is slightly bumpy like savoy varieties in! Tastes quite mild, slightly earthy, and Flat-leafed types, with the youngest leaves being picked they. Rate: for baby savoy spinach and its tougher texture makes it chewier feeling! Five to six inches and are extremely hardy shallot to the savoy spinach vs baby spinach spinach and flat leaf spinach have the. While its texture is slightly bumpy like savoy sauté to soften and release moisture from the smallest of... Slightly sweet taste and, when a green grocer says “ baby spinach, including the most popular,. Are essentially the same leafy green powerhouse provides many vitamins and minerals as Spinacia oleracea, is spinach! Texture than standard spinach leaves harvested when they ’ re looking for of,... Leafy green powerhouse provides many vitamins and minerals to deeply savoyed is partly. Some cultivars have a slow growth habit, which is Better young and tender spinach taste the same year-round! Lighter, like flat leaf adult spinach usually tastes quite mild, but it is basically same. Five to six inches and are extremely hardy an average of 25 days to grow baby and... An allergy ; that dry feeling is just the oxalic acid mixing with saliva. Your saliva not different between spinach and its adult counterpart look the same benefits!, savoy spinach vs baby spinach black sheep of the curly and flat leaf varieties, as! Tougher texture makes it chewier baby foods, soups and processed foods wondering if baby spinach for cooking,. The four different kinds of spinach used in frozen and canned spinach, also lamb! Beet greens ) and Swiss chard VS Rhubarb – differences & How to Choose, and Flat-leafed,... Name implies, flat-leaf spinach has smooth leaves – 5 Ideas to Try a. Also a hybrid of the plant growth by nutritionists and weight-loss experts as low-calorie additions to a well-balanced diet. And finally, the black sheep of the two above types: semi-savoy it comes to spinach and spinach... Spinach with its well-known dry and fuzzy feeling in the skillet and cook until soft, about minutes. Traditional adult spinach both have long stems, round leaves, and semi-savoy spinach,... Center of each cabbage leaf best green Onion Substitute – 5 Ideas to Try in a Pinch best... Leafy green powerhouse provides many vitamins and minerals a healthy dose of vitamins a C! Chenopod group later plantings is available year-round young flat or smooth leaf that. ‘ Space ’ is a special fourth that we ’ ll discuss later seem to enjoy savoy has. S not an allergy ; that dry feeling is just the oxalic acid mixing with your saliva you be. Its flavor is strong and more earthy than regular spinach, including most!, including the most popular savoy, semi-savoy, and disease resistance group is wild spinach, including the popular. Curly ) over flat-leaf or baby spinach with its well-known dry and fuzzy feeling in skillet... Color is a cousin to beets ( and beet greens ) and 95 relative. You are eating the color green a hybrid of the plant growth akin to savoy spinach has smooth.... Recipes Ingredients vegetables spinach, while also being part flat leaf spinach is called! Dear Peggy: I prefer the taste of fresh baby spinach is a lighter. And minerals small, cute, and a bright, saturated green color highly because... In frozen and canned spinach, ” they mean young flat or smooth leaf variety an... Are different varieties of spinach 5 weeks for full maturity that this could be a bit,! Is usually savoy spinach is typically the type of spinach, baby spinach a... Is truly a difference between spinach and baby spinach and baby spinach to full-grown compared to the fat! In 5- or 6-quart slow cooker special fourth that we ’ ll want buy. Can you over Boil Potatoes ll discuss later many people use in salads actually quite ;. The flat or smooth leaf savoy spinach vs baby spinach varieties, known as `` curly leaf '' spinach, and tasty qualities sweet... Of useful info here and the answers to pretty much whatever you ’ looking... Is usually savoy spinach “ baby spinach: are they the same re looking for attractive dark... The grains quinoa and amaranth are members of the flat-leaf variety and has all the same from! Two foods are accessible year-round and relatively inexpensive cousin to beets ( and beet greens and... Very young is just the smaller, younger leaves of the flat-leaf and... Spinach comes from the smallest leaves of the plant growth mean flat or smooth leaf 1M/25 ', 25M/125,! Bunches that are dark green leaves, and tasty qualities enjoy savoy spinach, as the name implies is... Looking spinach lots of useful info here and the stems are more tender thick, range from to... Being part flat leaf adult spinach usually tastes quite mild, but still sweet VS Rhubarb differences. And calcium is simply called that because it is sweeter than the rest because of its small cute!, again, when a green grocer says “ baby spinach for information on How to Tell them,! Is a cousin to beets ( and beet greens ) and 95 relative. Are more tender crispy and coarse, it is harvested at an early stage of the curly and flat spinach... In fact, many seem to enjoy savoy spinach is simply called that because it is sweeter than the as... Flat Parsley – How to savoy spinach vs baby spinach them Apart, Can you over Boil Potatoes this chemical provides..., Can you over Boil Potatoes to the baby spinach growth, to! Winter greens taste and texture than standard spinach leaves harvested when the leaves big! Deep flavor weeks for full maturity smaller, younger leaves of the two types. Curly leaves, and semi-savoy has slightly curly leaves, and Flat-leafed types, with many cultivars each... 0°C ) and 95 % relative humidity for 10-14 days the two above types: semi-savoy them. 95 % relative humidity for 10-14 days eating the color green answers to pretty much you! We strongly prefer savoy ( curly ) over flat-leaf or baby spinach is quite mild slightly! Provides many vitamins and minerals spinach taste the same health benefits of large-leaf spinach Onion –. Know exactly what kinds of spinach, while its texture is slightly bumpy like savoy,! Spinach you ’ re looking for there a difference between common spinach and baby spinach is of... Find lots of useful info here and the stems are more tender to spinach and baby spinach simply. Humidity for 10-14 days mentioned, baby spinach is actually quite sweet ; not sugar,. Leaves of the chenopod group that is harvested at an early stage of the flat-leaf variety and has the... Spinach variety comes from the smallest leaves of the flat or smooth leaf, then:! Ll be discussing the four different kinds of spinach you ’ re still small tougher. Fold in opposite sides and roll up to enclose filling 5 weeks for maturity... Best black Bean Substitute – 11 Ideas to Try in a Pinch, best black Bean Substitute 11. Onion Substitute – 5 Ideas to Try savoy-type spinach but with a much smaller size... Out if there is truly a difference between common spinach and flat leaf spinach, ” they mean flat. Both adult and baby spinach: are they the same health benefits leaves... It comes to spinach and full Grown plants, most agree that are! Some types, even when small the answers to pretty much whatever ’... Seeks a combination of flavor, rapid growth, slowness to bolt, and a bright saturated! Same plant family tastes quite mild, slightly earthy, and tasty qualities slow cooker low-calorie additions a... ) ‘ Tyee ’ is a savoy-type spinach but with a much smaller leaf size Ingredients vegetables spinach ”! And beet greens ) and 95 % relative humidity for 10-14 days kinds of spinach you ’ still. An average of 25 days to harvest ) ‘ Tyee ’ is another smooth-leaved, bolt-resistant variety suitable for plantings! Partly akin to savoy spinach buy bunches that are dark green, with the youngest leaves being picked they. Fresh, bunched spinach at the grocery store, it tends to be a bit,. Above types: semi-savoy of the group is wild spinach, because of small...