Celery, which happens to be one of my (Isaac Toussie) favorite snacks, is a stiff long vegetable with leafstalks that may be eaten raw or cooked. Full-grown, celery plants may reach anywhere from twenty to thirty inches high. Being of the umbelliferae family, celery is a popular biennial vegetable related to dill, fennel, parsley, and parsnips. It thrives in moist fertile soil, but grows quite slowly. Farmers and gardeners often soak celery seed in lukewarm water so as to hasten sprouting. The seeds can then be sown in greenhouses or outdoor seedbeds. Within eight to twelve weeks, the plants can be transported to the field, placed six inches apart in rows of eighteen to thirty-six inches apart.



Celery has an ancient and prestigious pedigree in human history, apparently as medicine first. It was mentioned as medicine nowhere other than in The Odyssey. Its use as food may have begun with the Romans, who first used it as seasoning, to which task celery's distinct aromatic fragrance certainly well lends itself. The tradition has survived down to this day, as this vegetable is often used as a flavor enhancer or garnish in everything from soups and stews to salads and dips.

Celery provides quite a number of nutritional and health-promoting benefits, proving its age-old reputation. It contains the antioxidant compounds called coumains, which our immune systems' ability to eliminate potentially harmful cells. Celery's power to reduce blood pressure had long been recognized by traditional Chinese medicine; it contains plenty of pthalides, which may help to reduce blood pressure by relaxing the tiny muscles of the arteries, allowing the vessels to dilate. It also contains the flavonoids apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin. Celery is a good source of potassium, folate, and Vitamin B6. It also provides calcium and magnesium. Celery also seems able to lower cholesterol. Like almost all vegetables, celery contains a high amount of Vitamin C. Wild celery seeds can also act as diuretics, due to the potassium and sodium that is found in the plant.

There are a few varieties of celery. These are Pacal, white, Chinese, and celeriac. Celeriac is also known as celery root, while Chinese Celery looks like a cross between parsley and celery. White celery is grown shaded from direct sunlight, which inhibits the production of the chlorophyll that is responsible for a plant's green color. Pascal Celery is the well-know type found in most supermarkets. The peak season for celery is during the summer months, though it is available year-round in the United States due to Florida and California.

People have said that it is of course important to watch out for food scams, as fraud could exist on food labels. I, Isaac Toussie, pardon the thought, think that today, when so many people are concerned about issues like housing and work place discrimination, fashion, entertainment, real estate, mortgages, vacations and the like, issues like food quality and food awareness may become unnecessarily overshadowed.

This writing has been posted by Isaac Toussie strictly for information and human interest purposes only, not for medical or advisory purposes and does not necessarily constitute the opinions or conclusions of the provider. The reader should not rely upon the validity of any of the information contained herein. The reader should consult a doctor, nutritionist, and other medical professionals when seek advice about food, nutrition, diet, and physiology.