Stop Walking By the Watercress

In California, we grow about 25,000 acres of. About 36,000 acres of Peaches. About 30,000 acres of Cherries. And about 36,000 acres of Iceberg Lettuce. But for the humble Watercress, we grow maybe 200 acres. Too bad. Watercress is being discovered as the next superfood. For a few people, Watercress is a welcomed signal of Spring, eagerly awaited as the first Fiddlehead Fern or Morel Mushrooms. And for a few people, Watercress is used as no more than a decorative garnish. But this original ingredient into V-8 juice is so much more. A brand new study from the Cancer Research Center at the School of Medicine at Southampton General Hospital in England, shows that Watercress reduced the presence of a key tumor growth factor in breast cancer. It was shown that Watercress turns off a signal for blood supply for precancerous clusters of cells. If you turn off the blood supply, you in effect kill the cancer. Watercress is now being heralded as the next anti-cancer anti-aging superfood. It is loaded with Vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, K, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc. It’s a multi-vitamin in a green. Watercress is quite versatile. It can be used in drinks, salads, soups or sandwiches. It’s extremely popular in Europe and will be served at the Royal Wedding this April. To Americanize the Watercress, add it to your Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Or kick the “L” out of the BLT, and use Watercress instead. If you buy Watercress by the bunch, when you get it home, take off the rubberband or the twist tie. Place the bunch in a plastic bag, loosely wrapped with a damp paper towel and refrigerate. Many of you have seen Watercress once in a while in the produce department or the farmer’s market. Stop walking by the Watercress. Try some.
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