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Plant-BasedVegetables
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Water Spinach

Ipomoea aquatica

Facts

Water Spinach is a leafy green vegetable, known for its fresh and earthy flavor profile, and rich in essential nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A.

Regional names

Water Spinach

Origin

Water Spinach is cataloged inside the leafy greens lane of vegetables.

Native region

Cultivated globally across seasonal farming systems

Season

Highly seasonal by crop, with some year-round supply

Food Combinations & Timing

✅

Safe Combination Profile

It is safe to eat this food item with other food items.

Nutritional profile

Calories

19 kcal / 100 g

Protein

1.9 g

Carbs

2.8 g

Fat

0.3 g

Fiber

2.1 g

Water content

Very high (90% to 93%)

Glycemic index

Low

Vitamins

  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin A

Minerals

  • Potassium
  • Folate
  • Calcium

Health benefits

Evidence-aligned highlights

  • Water Spinach is grouped with leafy greens ingredients that commonly contribute flavor, cooking flexibility, and category-specific nutrient value.
  • Water Spinach can be compared against other vegetables items using the same EatPedia detail layout.
  • Water Spinach is ready for future USDA and editorial enrichment while already carrying a structured safety and preparation profile.

Flavor notes

Fresh, Earthy, Leafy greens

Texture

Ranges from crisp and watery to dense and starchy depending on the vegetable type.

Aroma

Leafy greens aroma varies by variety, freshness, and preparation.

Pairings

Garlic, Olive oil, Lemon, Beans, Herbs

Safety & toxicity

Edible parts

Standard edible culinary portions of water spinach

Toxic or risky parts

Discard damaged, spoiled, or non-food-grade forms of water spinach

Raw vs cooked

Use leafy greens items according to the ingredient's normal culinary form, whether raw, cooked, dried, soaked, or preserved.

Allergies & intolerances

People with known sensitivities to vegetables items should confirm tolerance before larger servings.

Drug interactions

Leafy or mineral-dense vegetables can matter for medication consistency depending on the specific item and clinical advice.

Safe daily limit

Typical meal-sized servings of vegetables items are appropriate for most adults when tolerated.

⚠️ Notice: This safety profile is a general guideline. Dietary tolerances differ; consult a healthcare professional for allergies or drug interactions. See our full disclaimer.

Who should avoid & how to handle it

Who should avoid or moderate

  • People with allergies, sensitivities, or medically restricted diets related to leafy greens items should review tolerance carefully.

Preparation & storage

  • Clean: Wash, sort, or inspect water spinach according to its usual market form before use.
  • Cut: Cut, peel, grind, or portion water spinach according to the intended recipe and texture target.
  • Cook: Saute, roast, steam, braise, or serve leafy greens vegetables raw depending on structure and flavor.
  • Store: Keep chilled and dry unless the specific item stores better in a cool pantry.
  • Preserve: Freeze, dry, ferment, or pantry-store water spinach according to the form you buy and how quickly you plan to use it.

Cuisine & cultural use

Common cuisines

  • Global home cooking
  • Soups
  • Roasts
  • Salads

Water Spinach appears in Global home cooking, Soups, Roasts, Salads, often because its flavor structure and prep speed fit both everyday cooking and ceremonial dishes.

Dynamic Substitutions

No alternatives recorded for this specific item. It is chemically or botanically unique in the database.

🌱 Cultivation & Production

Water Spinach Home Growing Guide

Learn how to grow and cultivate water spinach at home, whether you live in an urban apartment or have access to outdoor garden land.

Apartment Friendly

✓ Highly Recommended

Yes

Urban Space Advice

Highly suited for balcony planters or wide pots at least 6-8 inches deep.

Difficulty

Easy

Propagation

Seeds

Soil Type

Loose, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage

Watering

Regular (keep soil consistently moist)

Sunlight

Partial sun or bright indirect light (4 hours daily)

Best Season

Cooler seasons (Spring or Autumn)

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

  1. 1

    Sow seeds thinly across a wide, shallow balcony container.

  2. 2

    Cover lightly with 1/8 inch of compost and mist thoroughly.

  3. 3

    Keep in a bright, cool spot; thin seedlings early to about 3 inches apart.

  4. 4

    Harvest outer leaves continuously once they reach 4 inches tall so the plant keeps producing.

Quick recipes

Fast recipes using Water Spinach

Dinner

Garlic Chili Water Spinach Stir-Fry

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Crisp hollow-stem kangkong flash-fried in a hot wok with minced garlic and chili flakes.

Ingredients

Servings:2
  • 1 large bunch fresh water spinach (kangkong), washed and chopped into 3-inch batons
  • 4 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
  • 1 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

Nutrition

  • 70 kcal
  • 3 g protein
  • 6 g carbs
  • 4 g fat

Preparation Steps

  1. 1Heat cooking oil in a wok or large heavy skillet over high heat until shimmering.
  2. 2Add minced garlic and red chili flakes, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. 3Add water spinach stems first for 1 minute, then toss in tender leaves.
  4. 4Splash with soy sauce, toss continuously for 2 minutes until wilted yet crunchy, and serve immediately.