For the software, see Celery (software). Not to be confused with salary.

Celery
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Apium
Species:
A. graveolens
Binomial name
Apium graveolens
L.
Synonyms[2]
  • Apium graveolens subsp. dulce (Mill.) Schübl. & G. Martens

Celery (Apium graveolens) is a marshland plant in the family Apiaceae that has been cultivated as a vegetable since antiquity. Celery has a long fibrous stalk tapering into leaves. Depending on location and cultivar, either its stalks, leaves or hypocotyl are eaten and used in cooking. Celery seed powder is used as a spice.

Description

Celery leaves are pinnate to bipinnate with rhombic leaflets 3–6 centimetres (1–2+1⁄2 inches) long and 2–4 cm (1–1+1⁄2 in) broad. The flowers are creamy-white, 2–3 mm (3⁄32–1⁄8 in) in diameter, and are produced in dense compound umbels. The seeds are broad ovoid to globose, 1.5–2 mm (1⁄16–5⁄64 in) long and wide. Modern cultivars have been selected for either solid petioles, leaf stalks, or a large hypocotyl.[3] A celery stalk readily separates into "strings" which are bundles of angular collenchyma cells exterior to the vascular bundles.[4]

Wild celery, Apium graveolens var. graveolens, grows to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall. Celery is a biennial plant that occurs around the globe. It produces flowers and seeds only during its second year. The first cultivation is thought to have happened in the Mediterranean region, where the natural habitats were salty and wet, or marshy soils near the coast where celery grew in agropyro-rumicion-plant communities.[5]

North of the Alps, wild celery is found only in the foothill zone on soils with some salt content. It prefers moist or wet, nutrient rich, muddy soils. It cannot be found in Austria and is increasingly rare in Germany.[6]

CultivarImageName Part eaten
CeleryApium graveolens var. dulce Primarily grown for its thick stalk.[7]
CeleriacApium graveolens var. rapaceum The hypocotyl is eaten like a root vegetable.[8]
Leaf celeryApium graveolens var. secalinum Primarily eaten for its large leaves.[9]

Etymology

First attested and printed in English as "sellery" by John Evelyn in 1664,[10] the modern English word "celery" derives from the French céleri, in turn from Italian seleri, the plural of selero, which comes from Late Latin selinon,[11] the latinisation of the Ancient Greek: σέλινον, romanized: selinon, "celery".[12][13] The earliest attested form of the word is the Mycenaean Greek se-ri-no, written in Linear B syllabic script.[14]

Taxonomy

Cross-section of a 'Pascal' celery rib, the petiole

Celery was described by Carl Linnaeus in Volume One of his Species Plantarum in 1753.[15]

Cultivation

The plants are raised from seed, sown either in a hot bed or in the open garden according to the season of the year, and, after one or two thinnings and transplantings, they are, on attaining a height of 15–20 cm (6–8 in), planted out in deep trenches for convenience of blanching, which is effected by earthing up to exclude light from the stems. Development of self-blanching varieties of celery, which do not need to be earthed up, dominate both the commercial and amateur market.[16]

Celery was first grown as a winter and early spring vegetable.[17] It was considered a cleansing tonic to counter the deficiencies of a winter diet based on salted meats without fresh vegetables.[17] By the 19th century, the season for celery in England had been extended, to last from the beginning of September to late in April.[18]

North America

In North America, commercial production of celery is dominated by the cultivar called 'Pascal' celery.[3] Gardeners can grow a range of cultivars, many of which differ from the wild species, mainly in having stouter leaf stems. They are ranged under two classes, white and red. The stalks grow in tight, straight, parallel bunches, and are typically marketed fresh that way. They are sold without roots and only a small amount of green leaf remaining.[19]

The stalks can be eaten raw, or as an ingredient in salads, or as a flavoring in soups, stews, and pot roasts.[20]

Europe

In Europe, the variety called celeriac (also known as celery root), Apium graveolens var. rapaceum, is also popular. It is grown because its hypocotyl forms a large bulb, white on the inside, which can be kept for months in winter and mostly serves as a key ingredient in soup. It can also be shredded and used in salads. The leaves are used as seasoning; the small, fibrous stalks find only marginal use.[21]

Asia

Leaf celery, also known as Chinese celery

Leaf celery (Chinese celery, Apium graveolens var. secalinum) is a cultivar from East Asia that grows in marshlands. Leaf celery has characteristically thin skin stalks and a stronger taste and smell compared to other cultivars. It is used as a flavoring in soups and sometimes pickled as a side dish.[22]

Wild

The wild form of celery is known as "smallage". It has a furrowed stalk with wedge-shaped leaves, the whole plant having a coarse, earthy taste, and a distinctive smell. The stalks are not usually eaten (except in soups or stews in French cuisine), but the leaves may be used in salads, and its seeds are those sold as a spice.[23] With cultivation and blanching, the stalks lose their acidic qualities and assume the mild, sweetish, aromatic taste particular to celery as a salad plant.[24]

Because wild celery is rarely eaten, yet susceptible to the same diseases as more well-used cultivars, it is often removed from fields to help prevent transmission of viruses like celery mosaic virus.[25]

Harvesting and storage

Celery tissue under 400x magnification of a light microscope

Harvesting occurs when the average size of celery in a field is marketable; due to extremely uniform crop growth, fields are harvested only once. The petioles and leaves are removed and harvested; celery is packed by size and quality (determined by color, shape, straightness and thickness of petiole, stalk and midrib length and absence of disease, cracks, splits, insect damage and rot). During commercial harvesting, celery is packaged into cartons which contain between 36 and 48 stalks and weigh up to 27 kg (60 lb).[26] Under optimal conditions, celery can be stored for up to seven weeks from 0–2 °C (32–36 °F). Inner stalks may continue growing if kept at temperatures above 0 °C (32 °F). Shelf life can be extended by packaging celery in anti-fogging, micro-perforated shrink wrap.[27] Freshly cut petioles of celery are prone to decay, which can be prevented or reduced through the use of sharp blades during processing, gentle handling, and proper sanitation.[28]

Celery stalk may be preserved through pickling by first removing the leaves, then boiling the stalks in water before finally adding vinegar, salt, and vegetable oil.[29]

Sulfites

In the past, restaurants used to store celery in a container of water with powdered vegetable preservative, but it was found that the sulfites in the preservative caused allergic reactions in some people.[30] In 1986, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of sulfites on fruits and vegetables intended to be eaten raw.[31]

Uses

Culinary

Celery seed (Apium graveolens) essential oil

Celery is eaten around the world as a vegetable. In North America and Europe the crisp petiole (leaf stalk) is used. In Europe the hypocotyl is also used as a root vegetable. The leaves are strongly flavored and are used less often, either as a flavoring in soups and stews or as a dried herb. Celery, onions, and bell peppers are the "holy trinity" of Louisiana Creole and Cajun cuisine. Celery, onions, and carrots make up the French mirepoix, often used as a base for sauces and soups. Celery is a staple in many soups.[32] It is used in the Iranian stew khoresh karafs.

Leaves

Celery leaves are frequently used in cooking to add a mild spicy flavor to foods, similar to, but milder than black pepper. Celery leaves are suitable dried and sprinkled on baked, fried or roasted fish or meats, or as part of a blend of fresh seasonings suitable for use in soups and stews. They may also be eaten raw, mixed into a salad or as a garnish.[33]

Seeds

In temperate countries, celery is also grown for its seeds. Actually very small fruit, these "seeds" yield a valuable essential oil that is used in the perfume industry. The oil contains the chemical compound apiole. Celery seeds can be used as flavoring or spice, either as whole seeds or ground.[34]

Celery salt

Celery seeds can be ground and mixed with salt to produce celery salt. Celery salt can be made from an extract of the roots or by using dried leaves. Celery salt is used as a seasoning, in cocktails (commonly to enhance the flavor of Bloody Mary cocktails), on the Chicago-style hot dog, and in Old Bay Seasoning. Similarly, combinations of celery powder and salt are used to flavor and preserve cured pork[35] and other processed meats as an alternative to industrial curing salt.[36] The naturally occurring nitrites in celery work synergistically with the added salt to cure food.[37]

Celery seeds

Celery juice

In 2019, a trend of drinking celery juice was reported in the United States, based on "detoxification" claims posted on a blog. The claims have no scientific basis, but the trend caused a sizable spike in celery prices.[38][39]

Nutrition

Celery, raw (Apium graveolens)
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy67 kJ (16 kcal)
2.97 g (including fiber)
Starch0.00 g
Sugars1.34 g
Dietary fiber1.6 g
0.17 g
Saturated0.042 g
Trans0.000 g
Monounsaturated0.032 g
Polyunsaturated0.079 g
0.69 g
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Vitamin A equiv.
3%
22 μg
Thiamine (B1)
2%
0.021 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
5%
0.057 mg
Niacin (B3)
2%
0.320 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
5%
0.246 mg
Vitamin B6
6%
0.074 mg
Folate (B9)
9%
36 μg
Vitamin B12
0%
0.00 μg
Choline
1%
6.1 mg
Vitamin C
4%
3.1 mg
Vitamin D
0%
0 IU
Vitamin E
2%
0.27 mg
Vitamin K
28%
29.3 μg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
4%
40 mg
Copper
2%
0.035 mg
Iron
2%
0.20 mg
Magnesium
3%
11 mg
Phosphorus
3%
24 mg
Potassium
6%
260 mg
Sodium
5%
80 mg
Zinc
1%
0.13 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Water95.43 g
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.

Raw celery is 95% water, 3% carbohydrates, 0.7% protein, and contains negligible fat (table). A 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving provides 16 calories of food energy, and is a rich source of vitamin K, providing 28% of the Daily Value, with no other micronutrients in significant content (table).

Allergies

Celery is among a small group of foods that may provoke allergic reactions; for people with celery allergy, exposure can cause potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.[40] Cases of allergic reaction to ingestion of celery root have also been reported in pollen-sensitive individuals resulting in gastrointestinal disorders and other symptoms, although in most cases, celery sensitivity is not considered clinically significant.[41] In the European Union and the United Kingdom, foods that contain or may contain celery, even in trace amounts, must be clearly marked.[42]

The Apium graveolens plant has an OPALS allergy scale rating of 4 out of 10, indicating moderate potential to cause allergic reactions, exacerbated by over-use of the same plant throughout a garden.[43] Celery has caused skin rashes and cross-reactions with carrots and ragweed.[43]

Chemistry

The main chemicals responsible for the aroma and taste of celery are butylphthalide and sedanolide.[44]

History

Selinunte didrachm coin bearing a selinon (celery) leaf, c. 515–470 BC

Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf[45] note that celery leaves and inflorescences were part of the garlands found in the tomb of pharaoh Tutankhamun (died 1323 BC), and celery mericarps dated to the seventh century BC were recovered in the Heraion of Samos. However, they note A. graveolens grows wild in these areas, it is hard to decide whether these remains represent wild or cultivated forms." Only by classical antiquity is it thought that celery was cultivated.[46]

M. Fragiska mentions an archeological find of celery dating to the 9th century BC, at Kastanas; however, the literary evidence for ancient Greece is far more abundant. In Homer's Iliad, the horses of the Myrmidons graze on wild celery that grows in the marshes of Troy, and in Odyssey, there is mention of the meadows of violet and wild celery surrounding Calypso's Cave.[47]

In the Capitulary of Charlemagne, compiled c. 800, apium appears, as does olisatum, or alexanders, among medicinal herbs and vegetables the Frankish emperor desired to see grown.[48] At some later point in medieval Europe, celery displaced alexanders.[49]

The name "celery" retraces the plant's route of successive adoption in European cooking, as the English "celery" (1664) is derived from the French céleri coming from the Lombard term, seleri, from the Latin selinon, borrowed from Greek.[50]

Celery's late arrival in the English kitchen is an end-product of the long tradition of seed selection needed to reduce the sap's bitterness and increase its sugars. By 1699, John Evelyn could recommend it in his Acetaria. A Discourse of Sallets: "Sellery, apium Italicum, (and of the Petroseline Family) was formerly a stranger with us (nor very long since in Italy) is a hot and more generous sort of Macedonian Persley or Smallage... and for its high and grateful Taste is ever plac'd in the middle of the Grand Sallet, at our Great Men's tables, and Praetors feasts, as the Grace of the whole Board".[51]

Celery makes a minor appearance in colonial American gardens; its culinary limitations are reflected in the observation by the author of A Treatise on Gardening, by a Citizen of Virginia that it is "one of the species of parsley".[52] Its first extended treatment in print was in Bernard M'Mahon's American Gardener's Calendar (1806).[53]

After the mid-19th century, continued selections for refined crisp texture and taste brought celery to American tables, where it was served in celery vases to be salted and eaten raw. Celery was so popular in the United States during the 19th century and early 20th century that the New York Public Library's historical menu archive shows that it was the third most popular dish in New York City menus during that time, behind only coffee and tea. In those days, celery cost more than caviar, as it was difficult to cultivate. There were also many varieties of celery back then that are no longer around because they are difficult to grow and do not ship well.[54]

Cultural depictions

Apium illustration from Barbarus Apuleius' Herbarium, c. 1400

A chthonian symbol among the ancient Greeks, celery was said to have sprouted from the blood of Kadmilos, father of the Cabeiri, chthonian divinities celebrated in Samothrace, Lemnos, and Thebes. The spicy odor and dark leaf color encouraged this association with the cult of death. In classical Greece, celery leaves were used as garlands for the dead, and the wreaths of the winners at the Isthmian Games were first made of celery before being replaced by crowns made of pine. According to Pliny the Elderin[55] Achaea, the garland worn by the winners of the sacred Nemean Games was also made of celery.[47] The Ancient Greek colony of Selinous (Ancient Greek: Σελινοῦς, Selinous), on Sicily, was named after wild parsley that grew abundantly there; Selinountian coins depicted a parsley leaf as the symbol of the city.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lansdown, R.V. (2013). "Apium graveolens". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 208. e.T164203A13575099. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T164203A13575099.en.
  2. ↑ "Apium graveolens". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  3. 1 2 de Vilmorin, Roger L. (1950). "Pascal celery and its origin". Journal of the New York Botanical Garden. 51 (602): 39–41.
  4. ↑ Peterson, R. L.; Peterson, Carol A.; Melville, L.H. (2008). Teaching plant anatomy through creative laboratory exercises. National Research Council Press. ISBN 9780660197982. OCLC 512819711.
  5. ↑ Erich, Oberdorfer (2001). Pflanzensoziologische Exkursionsflora für Deutschland und angrenzende Gebiete. E. Ulmer. p. 708. ISBN 978-3800131310. OCLC 875386204.
  6. ↑ Fischer, Manfred A.; Günter, Gottschlich (2008). Exkursionsflora für Österreich, Liechtenstein und Südtirol : Bestimmungsbuch für alle in der Republik Österreich, im Fürstentum Liechtenstein und in der Autonomen Provinz Bozen / Südtirol (Italien) wildwachsenden sowie die wichtigsten kultivierten Gefässpflanzen (Farnpflanzen und Samenpflanzen) mit Angaben über ihre Ökologie und Verbreitung (in German). Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum. p. 849. ISBN 9783854741879. OCLC 886822563.
  7. ↑ "Celery". www.bbcgoodfood.com. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  8. ↑ "Celeriac". www.bbcgoodfood.com. 2022-04-23. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  9. ↑ Baessler, Liz (2020-12-17). "Celery Leaf Info: Learn About Growing Celery As Herb Plants". www.gardeningknowhow.com. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
  10. ↑ Grigson G. 1974. A Dictionary of English Plant Names. Allen Lane ISBN 0-71-390442-9
  11. ↑ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (eds.). "selinon". A Latin Dictionary. Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University.
  12. ↑ Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (eds.). "σέλινον". A Greek-English Lexicon. Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University.
  13. ↑ "celery". Etymonline.com.
  14. ↑ "celery". Palaeolexicon.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  15. ↑ Linnaeus, C (1753). Species Plantarum: Tomus I (in Latin). Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii).
  16. ↑ "How to grow celery / RHS Gardening". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  17. 1 2 Ody, Penelope (March 15, 1993). The Complete Medicinal Herbal. Dorling Kindersley. p. 37.
  18. ↑ William Robinson and W. P. Thomson (1920). The Vegetable Garden (3rd ed.). New York, E.P. Dutton and company. p. 227.
  19. ↑ "Celery: A History of Celery - Food Reference Articles". www.foodreference.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  20. ↑ "Top 10 ways to use up leftover celery". BBC Good Food. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  21. ↑ Schuchert, Wolfgang. "Celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum)". Crop Exhibition. Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  22. ↑ Newman, Jacqueline (Fall 2006). "Chinese Celery". Vegetables and Vegetarian Foods. 13 (3): 15–34. Archived from the original on 17 April 2017. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Smallage". Practically Edible: The World's Biggest Food Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  24. ↑ Judd, Angela (2017-11-12). "Five Tips For Growing Celery". Growing In The Garden. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  25. ↑ Wellman, F (February 1937). "Control of Southern Celery Mosaic in Florida by Removing Weeds That Serve as Sources of Mosaic Infection". United States Department of Agriculture. 54 (8): 1–16. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  26. ↑ Takele, Etaferahu. "Celery Production: Sample Costs and Profitability Analysis" (PDF). UC Davis. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2017-04-17. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  27. ↑ Rizzo, V (January 2009). "Effects of packaging on shelf life of fresh celery". Journal of Food Engineering. 90 (1): 124–128. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.06.011.
  28. ↑ Cantwell, M; Suslow, T. (2002-06-10). "Celery: Recommendations for Maintaining Postharvest Quality". Post-harvest technology research and information center. Archived from the original on 2008-04-23. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  29. ↑ "The power of pickles: a guide to preserving almost everything – from jam-making to chutneys". the Guardian. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  30. ↑ Feldman D, Schwan K (2005). How Does Aspirin Find a Headache?. HarperCollins. p. 208. ISBN 978-0-06-074094-8.
  31. ↑ Fortin ND (2009). Food Regulation: Law, Science, Policy and Practice. John Wiley and Sons. p. 288. ISBN 978-0-470-12709-4.
  32. ↑ "Celery - Ingredient". FineCooking. Archived from the original on 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  33. ↑ "How to Use Celery Leaves". FoodPrint. 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  34. ↑ McGee, Harold (1984). On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen. Scribner. p. 414.
  35. ↑ "Hot Dogs, Bacon, Celery Powder and Cancer Risk - American Institute for Cancer Research %". American Institute for Cancer Research. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  36. ↑ "Duped In The Deli Aisle? 'No Nitrates Added' Labels Are Often Misleading". NPR.org. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  37. ↑ "Is celery juice a viable alternative to nitrites in cured meats?". Office for Science and Society. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  38. ↑ Meltzer, Marisa (June 27, 2019). "Why Is Everyone Drinking Celery Juice as if It Will Save Them From Dying?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2022-01-01.
  39. ↑ Uguen-Csenge, Eva (29 March 2019). "Celery prices soar as juice shops struggle to meet demand from latest health fad". CBC News. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  40. ↑ Celestin, J; Heiner, DC (1993). "Food-induced anaphylaxis". The Western Journal of Medicine. 158 (6): 610–1. PMC 1311786. PMID 8337856.
  41. ↑ Roersch, C. (October 2016). "Medicinal plants in the Dominican Republic and their possible role in public health care". Acta Horticulturae (1125): 249–254. doi:10.17660/actahortic.2016.1125.31. ISSN 0567-7572.
  42. ↑ "Food labelling and packaging in international trade". General labelling standards for the UK and EU.
  43. 1 2 Ogren, Thomas Leo (2015). The Allergy-Fighting Garden. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 9781607744917.
  44. ↑ Wilson, Charles Welthy III (1970). "Relative recovery and identification of carbonyl compounds from celery essential oil". Journal of Food Science. 35 (6): 766–768. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.1970.tb01989.x.
  45. ↑ D. Zohary and M. Hopf, Domestication of Plants in the Old World, (3rd ed. 2000) p.202.
  46. ↑ Malhotra, S. K. (2006-01-01), Peter, K. V. (ed.), "18 - Celery", Handbook of Herbs and Spices, Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, Woodhead Publishing, pp. 317–336, ISBN 978-1-84569-017-5, retrieved 2022-10-04
  47. 1 2 Megaloudi, Fragiska (2005). "Wild and Cultivated Vegetables, Herbs and Spices in Greek Antiquity (900 B.C. to 400 B.C.)". Environmental Archaeology. 10 (1): 73–82. doi:10.1179/146141005790083858.
  48. ↑ "Oldcook : Capitulary of Charlemagne, De villis vel curtis imperialibus". www.oldcook.com.
  49. ↑ Randall, R. E. (April 2003). "Smyrnium olusatrum L." Journal of Ecology. 91 (2): 325–340. Bibcode:2003JEcol..91..325R. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00761.x. S2CID 85808284.
  50. ↑ OED, s.v. "Celery".
  51. ↑ Evelyn, J. (2005) [1699]. Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets. B. Tooke; The Women's Auxiliary of Brooklyn Botanic Garden; Project Gutenberg.
  52. ↑ Quoted in Ann Leighton, American Gardens in the Eighteenth Century, 1976, p. 199.
  53. ↑ "David Shields, "American Heritage Vegetables"". Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2016-11-27.
  54. ↑ "When Celery Was More Special Than Caviar". Sporkful podcast.
  55. ↑ Pliny, Natural History XIX.46.
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