Norabouna (Japanese Kale)

Brassica napus

Seeds per packet ~ 90

Germination  Dec 2023  Packed for 2024

Norabouna is a traditional Japanese green, often included in the broader category of Asian greens. The greens of this semi-wild land-race brassica is eaten throughout the year. It's known for its unique flavor and texture, making it a popular choice in various Japanese dishes.  Like broccoli or kale the shoots are steamed, stir-fried, or cooked in soups. For the greens, you can sow any time. For the shoots, sow in summer and overwinter, then harvest shoots in the spring.

According to an old Japanese document, during the Edo period, also known as the Tokugawa period, between 1603 and 1868 when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo , a local magistrate introduced this vegetable, which has sweet leaves and stems, to the mountainous region in Tokigawa. Because of its strong vitality, “Norabouna” was appreciated in Edo period, during which short food supply was a serious problem. It is said “Norabouna” was a great help at the famine in Tenmei era and Tenpo era. Its mild flavor is perfect for cooking a parboiled-green dish, or stir-fry dish. Our variety was cultivated by Hudson Valley at their farm in upstate New York.