Rainbow Chard

How to use?Flavour Storage Growing Information Nutritional Benefits Where to buy

Rainbow chard is a versatile vegetable that can be used in many ways
Use the raw stems for dipping in hummus or guacamole (thicker stems may need de-stringing)
Use raw leaves in a salad, just slice or tear them if they are too large
The stems can also be sliced up and slow cooked with other vegetables to add colour, nutrients and variation to a range of dishes
When cooking the leaves, they are best just lightly blanched like wilted spinach leaves to preserve some texture and nutrients

• The flavour and texture profiles of rainbow is similar to that of silverbeet
• The flavour of both the stem and leaves is mildly sweet and salty with no strong aftertaste
• The texture as a raw product is crisp and juicy. The stems are crunchy (a little like celery) and the leaves are perfectly at home in any fresh salad. When the leaves are lightly blanched, their texture is similar to wilted spinach

Once rainbow chard has been picked or purchased, they are best eaten within a week
Store them in your refrigerator in a plastic bag to preserve their moisture
The stems will keep longer than the leaves, so if using separately aim to use the leaves first
Any leaves or stems that show signs of degrading or breaking down (darkening in patches or turning slimy) should be discarded and not eaten

Rainbow chard can be harvested at any stage of growth
If growing for baby leaves in a salad, best results are achieved by direct sowing them into soil at a relatively high density (700-1000 seeds per m²) and harvesting when the leaves are 6-7cm long
If growing a more mature product for the coloured stems and leaves, it is best transplanted into soil at 20cm intervals
For an extended harvest over many weeks, simply pick what you need from the plants without destroying the whole plant

Rainbow chard is a good source of protein, phosphorus, and zinc. It is also a great source of fiber
Rainbow chard is also high in vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese
Naturally it is also low in fat and calories

Where to Buy:

Seeds:

Commercial quantities of seeds can be purchased either directly from Fairbanks Seeds or Fairbanks Seeds NZ, through their major distributors in Australia E.E. Muir & Sons, or by request at your local horticultural supply store.

Seedlings:

Rainbow chard is best grown as a transplant, this allows for more accurate spacing and colour selection. Commercial growers can request this from their commercial nurseries, home gardeners can often find rainbow chard at their local nursery.

Produce

Bunched chard is not too common in Australian green grocers, but good stores will have it.
Chefs, providores and green grocers should contact their local bunched vegetable growers to request this product.

Rainbow Chard

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