Spinach

Spinach has a long and illustrious history. Cultivated since the 6th Century, it’s featured in just about every cuisine on the planet. In the US, spinach is the most widely grown green for the table. Available year-round, it’s one of the most versatile and healthy vegetables you can eat — and since the introduction of pre-washed spinach, it’s gained nationwide popularity.

Baby spinach (unlike its mature sibling) is tender, sweet and mild. The entire leaf and stem are edible, so preparation is effortless. Mature spinach generally requires blanching to mellow its strong taste and tannic pungency, but baby leaves can be added directly to a dish without that extra step. Whether you’re looking to expand your repertoire, or you just want to include more delicious and nutritious dishes in your menu planning, spinach is a great way to go. Popeye’s advice is still relevant today: you’ll be strong to the finish if you eat your spinach!
 

Why choose organic spinach?

• Choosing organic spinach is a smart and effective way to reduce your dietary exposure to pesticide residues.
• Spinach currently ranks #6 on the Environmental Working Group’s "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce," a list of produce items that have been shown to carry the most pesticide residues when cultivated conventionally. You can lower your dietary exposure to pesticides substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, and choosing organic for those items instead.
• Earthbound Farm certified organic spinach is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, using sustainable farming methods that safeguard the environment. Organic food is the healthiest choice for people and the planet — and we think organic spinach tastes better, too!
• WhatsOnMyFood.org from the Pesticide Action Network shows you searchable results for vegetables like spinach and a wide range of other organic and conventional foods. It’s an empowering tool for learning about pesticide residues and their health effects.
   

How to store spinach

• Store pre-washed baby spinach in the refrigerator in its original package, tightly closed, and be sure to consume it by the “use date” on the package. Refrigerate bunched spinach, unwashed, in a plastic bag for up to 3 days.
• Whether your spinach is in a package or a bunch, always discard spinach leaves that look slimy, discolored, wilted, or smell bad. If you have more spinach than you can use, steam the leaves just till they wilt, then squeeze out as much water as you can and refrigerate or freeze.
   

Tips for using spinach

• Spinach is delicious in a wide range of recipes, hot or cold. It’s also a terrific nutrient-rich base for a vegetarian meal. One pound of spinach looks like an awful lot of greens, but don’t worry — it will lose 80-90% of its volume and yield about about 1 cup when cooked. To be sure you have enough, plan on about 1/2 cup of cooked spinach per person.

Popeye was right

Earthbound Farm Organic Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and manganese, and a good source of magnesium, potassium and iron.

Spinach is among the world’s healthiest, most nutrient- and antioxidant-rich vegetables, containing at least 13 different flavonoid compounds (types of health-promoting and protecting antioxidants) that research suggests may play a role in reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases. Spinach is especially rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants shown to promote eye health. This leafy green is a low calorie, fat-free and cholesterol-free source of iron, which is needed for energy.

To maximize your body’s ability to absorb the iron found in spinach try eating it in combination with foods high in vitamin C, like tomatoes. Spinach is also a great choice for women who are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant as it provides 41% of the Daily Value for folate— an essential nutrient needed in higher amounts during this stage of life.
 

Why choose organic spinach?

Choosing organic spinach is a smart and effective way to reduce your dietary exposure to pesticide residues.

Spinach currently ranks #6 on the Environmental Working Group’s "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce," a list of produce items that have been shown to carry the most pesticide residues when cultivated conventionally. You can lower your dietary exposure to pesticides substantially by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, and choosing organic for those items instead.

Earthbound Farm certified organic spinach is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, using sustainable farming methods that safeguard the environment. Organic food is the healthiest choice for people and the planet — and we think organic spinach tastes better, too!

WhatsOnMyFood.org from the Pesticide Action Network shows you searchable results for vegetables like spinach and a wide range of other organic and conventional foods. It’s an empowering tool for learning about pesticide residues and their health effects.