Komatsuna

Komatsuna
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Brassica
Species:	Brassica rapa
Variety:	B. rapa var. perviridis
Trinomial name
Brassica rapa var. perviridis

Mustard spinach, raw

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	92 kJ (22 kcal)
Carbohydrates	3.9 g
Dietary fiber	2.8 g
Fat	0.3 g
Protein	2.2 g
Vitamins and minerals Vitamins Quantity %DV† Vitamin A equiv. 55% 495 μg Thiamine (B1) 6% 0.068 mg Riboflavin (B2) 7% 0.093 mg Niacin (B3) 4% 0.678 mg Pantothenic acid (B5) 4% 0.178 mg Vitamin B6 9% 0.153 mg Folate (B9) 40% 159 μg Vitamin C 144% 130 mg Minerals Quantity %DV† Calcium 16% 210 mg Iron 8% 1.5 mg Magnesium 3% 11 mg Manganese 18% 0.407 mg Phosphorus 2% 28 mg Potassium 15% 449 mg Sodium 1% 21 mg Zinc 2% 0.17 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults, except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.

Komatsuna (コマツナ（小松菜）) or Japanese mustard spinach (Brassica rapa var. perviridis) is a leaf vegetable. It is a variety of Brassica rapa, the plant species that yields the turnip, mizuna, napa cabbage, and rapini. It is grown commercially in Japan and Taiwan. The name 'komatsuna' is from the Japanese komatsuna (小松菜, コマツナ), 'greens of Komatsu', a reference to Komatsugawa village where it was heavily grown during the Edo period. It is stir-fried, pickled, boiled, and added to soups or used fresh in salads. It is an excellent source of calcium.

The leaves of komatsuna may be eaten at any stage of their growth. In a mature plant they are dark green with slender light green stalks, around 30 centimeters (12") long and 18 cm (7") wide. It is most often grown in the spring and autumn, as it cannot endure extreme heat or cold for more than a short time.

The plant is also used for fodder in some Asian countries.

See also

• Brassica juncea