The handle is a fragrant greens with a bright taste, beloved by many for piquancy and beneficial properties. It often happens that instead of a pleasant light bitterness, a sharp, almost unbearable bitterness appears in the taste. This happens for a number of reasons.
Too high temperature
The handle is a cool loving plant. At temperatures above 25 degrees, the plant begins to suffer from the heat, and the concentration of biting essential oils and glucosinolates sharply increases in the leaves.
How to avoid:
- Seyte to the handle in the spring or at the end of summer
- In the heat, shade the beds, especially in the midday hours
- When growing in a greenhouse, provide ventilation and watering
Outgrown leaves
The young manner (up to 25 days) has a delicate taste with a slight bitterness. But as they grow, the leaves become coarser and accumulate bitter substances, especially before flowering.
How to avoid:
- cut the leaves regularly without waiting for peduncles
- Ideal size – 10–12 cm
- Do not leave the handle without gathering for more than 3-4 days after reached maturity
Irregular watering
With a lack of moisture, the handle experiences stress. In response, it begins to produce protective substances, including those that make its taste excessively bitter.
How to avoid:
- Water regularly, especially on hot days
- make sure that the soil is evenly wet, but not swampy
- Use mulch to keep moisture
The beginning of flowering
As soon as the handle releases a peduncle, all the forces go to the stem and inflorescences. The leaves become rude, dense and bitter.
How to avoid:
- Remove peduncles at the first signs
- Update landings every 3-4 weeks
- Choose slowly flowering varieties, especially for summer crops
Is it worth it to be afraid of bitterness
Small bitterness is a natural feature of the handle. It is she who makes the greens useful for digestion, stimulates appetite and contains many antioxidants.
Do not perceive the bitterness of the handles as a sentence. Proper watering, timely collection and landing will help you enjoy crisp, fragrant and moderately piquant greens all season.
