Why are radishes bitter, how to remove the bitterness

25.08.2023 Kinds

Hello dear readers. Surely everyone remembers black radish from childhood, when in the winter my grandmother forced me to eat a vegetable salad, the basis of which was this unusual vegetable. And we ate this, at that time hated, salad with such reluctance, in the hope of getting the well-deserved sweets. But, having matured, we understand that adults forced us to eat radish for a reason, because it is so beneficial for the body, especially for children. They even treated coughs with the help of radish, sweetening it with honey, since the vegetable itself gives off bitterness. Now we are treating our children with the same remedy, who also do not yet understand why they eat this bitter vegetable. bThis mysterious root vegetable is used to treat a fairly wide range of diseases, so it is better to immediately stock up on it before the onset of cold weather.

Of course, radish is known not only for its miraculous properties in the treatment of colds, but also for many others, which we will talk about a little later.

She also performs a worthy alternative summer salads in winter, which means it will help you maintain your figure even in cold weather, when you don’t really do much jogging.

Useful properties of black radish

The composition of such a vegetable is undoubtedly rich in many useful substances that are so necessary for the healthy functioning of our body.

  1. High content of complex carbohydrate compounds, thanks to which we do not gain excess weight, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and potassium. Also, the vegetable itself contains a high concentration of essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on intestinal function.
  1. Vitamins A, C and group B. Such a classic set of vitamins for any fresh vegetable, isn’t it? Ascorbic acid alone speaks of enormous benefits in the treatment and prevention of colds, as well as their possible complications. People with any visual impairment will find this vegetable on the table very useful, because the vitamin A it contains helps improve the quality of vision and also prevents possible deterioration. Thus, the blood supply to the optic nerve is restored.

The calorie content of black radish per 100 g of product is only 36 kcal.

Of course, all the female representatives' eyes immediately lit up, as this The best way maintain your figure and even get rid of excess weight.

But this does not mean that radish salads can be eaten three times a day in large portions. As with any product that contains a predominance of any oils, you need to be careful with radish, because excessive consumption can lead to gastrointestinal disorders.

Medicinal properties of black radish

So, you need to figure out what medicinal properties this vegetable has, and what body systems each of them affects.

1. Antiseptic effect

Used when infectious diseases, depending on the degree of damage. Eliminates bacteria, which are most often the source of the disease.

Therefore, it is recommended to use radish for diseases. respiratory tract, as well as for all types of sore throat.

And thanks to vitamin C, which we also get from this vegetable, our immunity is “involved” in the fight against the disease.

2. Diuretic effect

Thanks to this property of black radish, our body promptly gets rid of excess urea in the blood.

Thus, the blood is cleansed, which means that nothing interferes with its healthy circulation. Also this effective way get rid of swelling caused by excess fluid.

For people suffering from various kidney pathologies, this remedy will help cleanse the blood of urea.

3. Choleretic effect

Prevents possible stagnation of bile in the bladder by its timely removal from the body.

This prevents the formation of gallstones, which can completely disable the functioning of not only the gall bladder, but also the liver itself.

Such a failure can lead to the fact that the body will not be able to cleanse the blood on its own, which will lead to immediate poisoning.

4. Painkiller effect

Relieves pain regardless of its cause, and also eliminates the very cause of pain, thanks to its rich composition.

5. Expectorant action

Thanks to the oils contained in radish, sputum is coated, which is not removed from the patient’s bronchi.

After all, phlegm is what it is main provocateur cough, which means that by eliminating it, we get rid of the cough itself.

6. Removing toxins from the body

Thanks to fiber, which gives a slight laxative effect, as well as essential oils, which normalize intestinal contractions, all “garbage” is removed from the body. Especially recommended for people suffering from constipation.

7. Helps cleanse blood vessels

We are talking about lowering the level of cholesterol, which, by sticking to the walls of blood vessels, disrupts blood circulation, which can lead to malfunctions of some systems.

And this happens due to the high content ascorbic acid, which is the main enemy of cholesterol.

8. Awakens appetite

Radish promotes the rapid production of gastric juice, which is why we actually feel hungry.

Black radish - the use of a miracle vegetable in folk medicine

Radish can be consumed both in the form of a salad as a preventive measure, and in other forms to treat an existing disease.

Some people have been accustomed since childhood to eating radish salad almost every day, without even thinking about the great benefits it brings.

So, you can maintain your immunity all year round, and not be afraid of contracting the flu during the cold season.

Thanks to such a wide range of medicinal properties of radish, almost all body functions work like clockwork.

After all, when a failure occurs in at least one of the systems, it affects both other functions and the entire body as a whole.

Such a simple vegetable as radish is able to normalize the functioning of each system, thanks to which internal harmony is achieved.

For what diseases is it used?

We have already become a little familiar with the properties of such a plant as radish, and now we will determine for what ailments it should be used, and in what form. Let's highlight the main recipes for each of the diseases.

Malfunctions of the digestive system

Thanks to the fiber contained in the vegetable, the intestines are cleansed in a timely manner, which helps it get rid of the remnants of digested food.

After all, the retention in the body of such substances, which become toxic after a short amount of time, can lead to poisoning of the body.

If the problem of constipation occurs in your life, then you should include it in your diet. simple salads from radish, recipes for which we will look at a little later.

As you know, any oils stimulate contractions of the intestinal walls, which promotes the movement of waste through it.

Sometimes, with frequent constipation, it is advised to take a tablespoon of any oil on an empty stomach. So why torture yourself with such an unpleasant procedure?

If you can just eat a portion of fresh radish salad, which already contains oils, plus fiber, which will only help remove unnecessary substances from the body.

Radish for coughs and respiratory diseases - recipes

This vegetable helps remove phlegm in wet coughs, and has an enveloping effect in dry coughs.\

In addition, it eliminates other cold symptoms. There are several recipes that can alleviate the general condition of the body during such inflammatory processes. The most important thing is to know how to cook black radish with honey at home.

  1. Radish with honey. To prepare, you will need simple black radish juice with the addition of honey. The proportions may vary depending on your personal preferences, but the dosage is the same for everyone: one tablespoon of the finished product should be taken half an hour before meals three times a day.
  1. Whole root vegetable with honey inside. This is probably one of the most popular recipes due to its attractive appearance.

So, we need a whole radish of ideal shape. Try to find a radish with a flat bottom so that its contents do not leak out if the “vegetable bowl” is unstable.

We cut off the “lid” from the already washed radish and cut out the core, which we will fill with aromatic honey, and then close it again.

Too easy, don't you think? But the point is that you need to leave the “closed vegetable” for some time so that the juice that is released during this time has time to reach the honey.

Take a tablespoon of this “radish” honey once a day. Black radish with honey is great for coughs and sore throats.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

Radish to prevent gallstones

The vegetable will be useful only if there are no stones. Such miracles do not happen for the juice of some vegetable to dissolve a stone. Sounds funny, doesn't it? On the contrary, such treatment can lead to unpleasant consequences.

When using such a remedy, the stones will only begin to move, during which the duct will become clogged, which means that you cannot avoid an unscheduled operation.

How is radish useful for joint diseases?

Thanks to its analgesic properties, radish will help relieve pain during the next exacerbation of arthritis or arthrosis.

It is necessary to grate the vegetable so that the juice comes out. We wrap the finished pulp in gauze and apply it to the sore joint.

Of course, such a remedy will not stop the destructive processes in the joints, but it will still somehow alleviate the general condition.

Harm and contraindications of black radish

Despite the fairly large list of benefits of this medicinal vegetable, it still has its contraindications, which should not be neglected.

Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum. The acid contained in the vegetable can only aggravate the problem;

Colitis. During inflammation in the large intestine, its walls are already irritated, and an extra laxative effect will only intensify the spasms;

Individual intolerance. More often there is an allergy to one particular component of the vegetable;

Gastritis. At increased acidity In general, any fresh products are prohibited, as they contain some percentage of acid;

Acute pancreatitis. If the pancreas is inflamed, such a product may be difficult to digest;

Gout. Additional acid in the body will only reinforce the inflammatory process, which means the pain will become even more unbearable;

Inflammatory processes of the liver and kidneys. Acid can only irritate the walls of organs, which is why the disease will only progress.

It is better not to tempt fate and not eat black radish if you suffer from at least one of these diseases.

Recipes for healthy salads with black radish

Let's consider two different options for preparing radish salad, which differ, in fact, in additional ingredients. Thus, they are divided into winter and summer.

  1. Salad based on black radish with the addition of green peas. To prepare such a salad, you will definitely need fresh herbs, so preparing such a salad will only be relevant in the warm season.

The basis will, of course, be the radish itself, which will need 400 g, but 240 g of peas (one tin can) will be enough.

For greens we use parsley and green onions. The radish is grated on a coarse grater, and everything else is finely chopped. Dress the salad with vegetable oil.

  1. Sour cream salad with black radish. All the ingredients of this salad are available at any time of the year, so we will call this salad winter. And, by the way, it is for this reason that it will be higher in calories than the previous one.

You will need the same amount of root vegetables as for the previous salad - 400 g. In addition, you will need onion(50 g), one medium-sized carrot, and three boiled eggs.

We grate the radish and carrots, but simply chop the remaining components. Season the whole thing with sour cream, then add salt to taste.

Both salads will be healthy regardless of the time of year, because the basis of each of them is black radish.

How to remove bitterness from black radish

There are several options for getting rid of the bitterness of this vegetable. Some people advise simply rinsing the grated vegetable in water, or even pouring boiling water over it.

But in both cases the juice will be removed, which means medicinal properties with him. You'll just end up with a useless shredded vegetable.

In fact, everything is simpler than you think. Simply add a little lemon juice or even a few drops of vinegar to the already grated vegetable, and the bitterness will go away.

Thus, the acid of both products neutralizes the bitter taste of the radish, so you can get all the beneficial substances without any obstacles.

We looked at the beneficial and medicinal properties of the vegetable - radish, as well as about the diseases that it can overcome. We also familiarized ourselves with the contraindications in which the use of a product such as radish is strictly prohibited.

We have decided that you can eat radish salads, regardless of the time of year. This dish will always delight you with its freshness and juiciness.

But, it should be remembered that each product should be consumed in moderation so as not to acquire new diseases.

Black radish is the closest relative of the radish. But, unlike it, it ripens not in spring, but in autumn. It stores well in winter, is rich in microelements and beneficial essential oils. In addition, it contains, albeit in small quantities, a number of vitamins. You can quickly prepare simple but tasty and healthy snacks, such as salads, from it.

Black radish dishes: delicious salad

Black radish, carrot and apple salad

To prepare this dish you will need the following ingredients: - 1 medium-sized black radish; - 1 medium-sized carrot; - 2–3 small apples; - vegetable oil; - salt to taste.

Peel the radish, then grate it on a coarse grater, lightly salt it, stir and leave for about 25–30 minutes. After the time has passed, squeeze out the liquid thoroughly. This is necessary in order to remove the excess bitterness that essential oils impart to the radish.

Wash, peel and grate the carrots on a medium grater. Peel the apples, cut into thin strips or small pieces. Transfer the radishes, carrots and apples to a salad container, season with vegetable oil, stir and serve. Before this, you can keep the salad in the refrigerator for about half an hour, in which case it will only become tastier.

It is better to use unrefined oil with a strong aroma, olive or sunflower

Radish, carrot and cheese salad with spicy dressing

To prepare this salad you will need the following ingredients: - 1 medium radish; - 1–2 medium sized carrots; - a small piece of hard cheese (about 50 grams); - 2–3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed orange juice; - 1–2 cloves of garlic; - salt; - mayonnaise to taste.

Prepare the radish as described in the previous recipe. Squeeze lightly, mix with orange juice, place in a deep bowl or salad bowl.

Peel the carrots and grate them on a medium grater. Also grate the cheese on a medium grater. Add everything to the container with the radishes. Peel the garlic, finely chop and crush or pass through a press. Add to vegetables and cheese. Season with mayonnaise, stir and cool before serving.

If you wish, you can add some finely chopped greens to the salad, such as parsley or cilantro

If you boil or steam radishes, turnips or radishes, the bitterness will disappear.
But the vegetables will already be boiled or steamed. And this is no longer always what is needed.

But to remove the bitterness, and for the radish or radish to remain fresh, you will have to try.
The best remedy is soaking.
To make this go away faster, it is best to grate the radish (radish) and fill it with water. Stir, strain, drain, add new water. Leave for some time. Try it in half an hour or an hour. If you still notice bitterness, change the water again.
Eventually the bitterness will go away. Only a specific radish smell may remain (a little).
If you don’t need grated radishes (radishes), you can cut them into thin slices and also soak them in water. It will take more time.
If there is still some bitterness left, then you can kill it in the dish. For example, mix with sour cream, or vegetable oil, or some kind of churning sauce (ketchup).
The main thing is that it goes with the dish.

Although the taste of radish is that it is bitter. This is exactly the kind of radish that I like to eat.)) And especially when making radishes with kvass. You can read how this is done:
Bon appetit!))

What to add to radishes or radishes if they have a pronounced bitter taste to remove the bitterness? Just add, and not soak or evaporate?

The easiest way to remove the bitterness from radishes and radishes is to pour boiling water over them, after cutting or grating them, as the author of the previous answer calls for. However, with this method, along with the bitterness, the beneficial substances contained in them, not to mention the taste, will also leave the radishes and radishes.

In addition, green radish and red radish should not be bitter. And if, nevertheless, this is so, then this fact signals that the root crops are of poor quality and were grown in violation of technology. Therefore, I personally do not eat bitter radishes and green radishes.

However, the use of excessively bitter radishes and radishes for food is possible and even without much loss useful substances which they contain.

What can compensate for the excess bitterness in root vegetables (and any other food)?

These are: sugar and acid. If you chop or grate bitter radishes and radishes, then pour lemon juice over them and sweeten them with sugar or honey, you will not taste any bitterness in them.

For example, grate bitter radishes or radishes on a coarse grater or cut into thin slices, place in a salad bowl and add salt. The radishes will give juice, which we drain, rinse the radishes under running water and sprinkle with lemon juice. The bitterness goes away, and we use radishes to prepare various salads.

In addition, salads made from bitter radishes and radishes should not be salted or seasoned with vegetable oil, especially unrefined oil, which, like salt, will only emphasize the bitterness of the final product. Instead of butter, use sour cream or yogurt with a little granulated sugar (or honey). Sour cream will remove bitterness and give the salad a piquant taste.

Elena Zhilko |

4.11.2014 | 188


Elena Zhilko 4.11.2014 188

It just so happens that most chefs have a cool attitude towards radishes, to put it mildly. The reason for this is the very specific taste and aroma of this root vegetable, because it was not without reason that our ancestors came up with the proverb that “horseradish is not sweeter than radish.”

How did you eat radishes before?

Here is a paradox: with such a disdainful attitude towards this vegetable, it was in ancient times that it was called “repentant”, because it was one of the few that was perfectly preserved from autumn until the “days of repentance” - Lent.

It was during Lent that people ate especially a lot of radish and prepared a wide variety of dishes from it, despite its bitter taste and specific aroma.

How to get rid of the bitterness of radish?

The radish shows its wayward character only to those who are not particularly eager to make friends with it. But with the right approach, this root vegetable can reveal its taste in all its glory, and it will not be bitter at all.

White, slightly oblong root vegetables (daikon, also known as Japanese radish) are the least bitter, but black and round ones are the hottest. And if it is preferable to choose white and green radish for food, then black radish is suitable for treatment.

However, if the vegetable you have chosen is still bitter, cut it into small pieces or grate it on a coarse grater and rinse it several times in cold water - the bitterness will definitely go away. Alternatively, you can pour boiling water over the grated radish.

How and with what to eat radishes?

Radish feels best in salads:

  • without heat treatment all of it beneficial features are preserved in greatest quantity;
  • vegetables and other ingredients somewhat smooth out the acrid taste of radish and allow it to be better absorbed.

A wonderful company for radishes are carrots and apples. In addition, a salad made from it will be much tastier if you add onions fried in vegetable oil.

How to handle radishes?

  • Salt dishes with radish at the very end of cooking or do not add salt at all - this will only benefit their taste.
  • After grating or finely chopping the radish, be sure to squeeze it out and drain off the excess juice. Otherwise, your salad or side dish will “float” in the plate.
  • Do not expose peeled radishes to air: they will darken and shrink. To avoid this, place the root vegetable in water.

Contraindications to the use of radish

Despite all the healing properties, radish also has contraindications. In particular, in its raw form and without “accompaniment” it greatly irritates the stomach, so those who have problems with the stomach and pancreas: ulcers, gastritis, a tendency to heartburn, etc.

Radish – vegetable plant, which belongs to the cruciferous family. The root vegetable has a round or elongated shape, the color of the vegetable can be very diverse: red, purple, yellow, white, pink. The most popular varieties are red and red-white. This plant is rich in vitamins and microelements necessary for human life.

Radish is a common plant with unique antibiotic properties. It destroys microbes that form in the mouth and throat and cause unpleasant odors. When chewing a fresh root vegetable, under the influence of the substances that make up the radish, the microbes die, and mustard oils irritate the taste buds, improving appetite. In addition, it has been proven that consuming fresh radishes reduces the threat of tumor formation and oncology.

Radishes are unpretentious to growing conditions, but even if there is excellent fertile soil, the basic requirements must be met.

Otherwise, the vegetable will be bitter and flabby.

Causes

The main reason for the pungent and sometimes bitter taste of radishes is the presence of mustard oil in the fruit. It is this that gives the vegetable its beneficial properties and piquancy in the taste of the pulp. This crop is an early spring vegetable that prefers not too long daylight hours. It should not exceed 10 hours. Most often, planting begins in early spring or late summer.

Planting in a greenhouse is possible immediately after the snow melts. At this time, the temperature and light conditions are more suitable for the germination of strong plants. Excess light during the day causes the plant to age faster and its fruits begin to taste bitter. To slow down this process, plantings are covered with light-proof covering materials, forming a shady place. But too much darkening of the plants will cause bolting in the radishes, so it needs to be regulated by opening and closing.



When covering plantings, it is important to ensure that the supply of oxygen to the plants is free. In order to get rid of the bitter taste in a vegetable, you need to find out why it appeared.

  • There may be several reasons for this:
  • insufficient and uneven (from time to time) watering;
  • overgrowth of root crops: when overripe, the pulp becomes rough, cracks, dries out from the inside, and bitterness appears;

unthinned planting of radishes, lack of oxygen, lack of weeding.



The bitter taste of radishes appears due to non-compliance with the rules for growing this vegetable. Violation of at least one of the conditions leads to a deterioration in the quality of the entire crop or its complete absence.

Conditions for obtaining a good harvest

To get a tasty, juicy vegetable crop with a pleasant sweet taste and an unobtrusive tang, seedlings need regular and high-quality care.

Thinning

When planting radishes thickly, you should not expect excellent taste from root vegetables. When too crowded, vegetables grow weak, depleted, and lack nutrients and microelements. The root system of such seedlings does not develop. The lack of light rays and water affects the formation of root crops. The plant struggles for space and nutrition, rather than directing its forces to the development of the fruit. Later rarefaction will lead to the fact that some plants will go into the stage of forming arrows with flowers. Thinning must be carried out without fail; the distance between plants should not be less than 4 cm, otherwise the radish pulp will become coarser, become fibrous and dry. The vegetable will take on a twisted shape.

It is possible to plant seeds using cells from egg racks. We press them into the soil and get a clear row of depressions for planting the seed. One seed is planted in each hole. With this planting method, thinning is not required.



Thinning and then loosening the soil with radishes must be done very carefully, avoiding damage to the roots of the plants. Otherwise, the crop will begin to form arrows, and the nutritional qualities of the vegetable will lose their value. Thinning radishes should not be done by pulling out excess plants, but by pinching them.



Watering

Radish is a moisture-loving plant. The requirement for the presence of moisture in the soil appears already when the first true leaf appears, at the very beginning of the formation of the root part of the vegetable. It needs a timely, uniform, regular supply of moisture to the soil. Ideally, to water 1 square meter of radish bed, you need 10-15 liters of not very cold water. The soil around the crop should not be allowed to dry out. Fruits that have experienced a lack of moisture do not replenish it after the watering regime is restored. The pulp loses its taste and crispness. Such a vegetable is susceptible to cracking, loss of smoothness, and is prone to bolting.

On hot summer days, radishes should be watered early in the morning and late in the evening every day. When cooler weather sets in, watering can be reduced to once every 2-3 days, monitoring the condition of the soil and preventing it from drying out. Daytime watering is not beneficial, since water from the plants quickly evaporates through the leaves. The soil layer must be shed at a distance equal to the length of the radish root. If frequent watering is not possible, vegetable beds can be mulched with sawdust and dry grass. This way the moisture in the soil after watering is retained for a long period.

Proper watering of radishes should be done using a watering can with a fine strainer; when grown in greenhouse conditions, immediately after watering, the room must be ventilated. In the absence of regular watering, growing radishes becomes absolutely useless.



When watering the crop, you shouldn’t get too carried away. Both a lack and an excess of water in the soil can cause the bitter taste of a vegetable. In addition, excessive soil moisture can cause the formation of various root diseases and rotting.

Weeding

Weeding of beds to remove emerging weeds is carried out regularly. Weeds are taken from cultivated plants moisture, microelements, block access to light rays. Radishes grow weaker and exhausted compared to vegetables from weeded beds. Weeding rows of radishes should be done very carefully, removing weeds with light movements, trying not to damage the seedlings of the crop itself.


Loosening

Inter-row spaces should be loosened immediately after watering or rain. When the soil dries out, it forms a dense layer on the surface that does not allow sufficient oxygen to pass through. The plant experiences a lack of it and weakens. The fruit becomes bitter.

Loosening is carried out pointwise, around each radish bush.



Timely harvest

Radish fruits are harvested as they ripen. During the warm period, the crop needs to form a root crop up to 2 cm in diameter to become suitable for storage. According to the ripening period, this process lasts from 20 to 45 days, depending on the crop variety. It is useless to leave large vegetables in the soil; their growth will stop, the pulp will become coarser, dry out and form fibers. Radishes should be stored in a cool room, tied in bunches. At elevated storage temperatures, the vegetable becomes soft and flabby.

Some vegetable growers practice this method: sprinkle a thin layer of salt into each hole before planting the seeds. It destroys microbes and viruses in the soil and gives root vegetables unusual taste, the fruits become crispy and juicy. This method perfectly protects root vegetables from the formation of bitterness, since salt absorbs and retains moisture.


How to eliminate bitterness?

If it was not possible to get rid of the causes of bitterness in time, fruits suitable for cooking can be “saved” in several ways:

  • Soaking in salted cold water. Place the pre-peeled radishes and leaves into a container and add about 2 liters of clean water with 1 tablespoon of table salt diluted in it. We leave the root vegetables to soak for half an hour, then drain the water and rinse with running water. If necessary, you can do this twice. But most often, one soaking is enough to correct the bitterness.
  • Rinse. Rinse peeled and cut into slices under running water and add salt. Salt draws out excess bitterness. Then the salt from the surface of the slices can be shaken off or, if necessary, rinsed again with water.
  • Scalding with boiling water. Peel the vegetables, cut into pieces, place in a container and pour boiling water over them for about 8-10 minutes. The bitter taste will disappear, but some vitamins and microelements will also be destroyed. Boiled radishes are less suitable for salads.
  • Lemon and sugar. Chop or grate the radishes on a coarse grater, pour over freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sprinkle granulated sugar on top. If you don’t want to use sugar, natural honey is suitable, which will add piquancy to the salad.
  • Salting. Cut the radishes into thin slices and sprinkle with salt. We are waiting for the radishes to give juice. Then you need to rinse the chopped vegetables in running water and sprinkle with lemon juice.



If you urgently need to get rid of bitterness without soaking, a salad using radishes can be seasoned not with oil, but with sour sour cream. It will hide the bitter taste of this vegetable.

You should not get rid of the bitterness right away. Its presence is very useful, and you can always remove it. When soaked, mustard oils are partially washed out, the healing disinfecting properties are reduced, therefore, the benefits of the vegetable are also reduced.

The most delicious and tender radishes will grow in sunny beds with light, loose soil. The yield of the vegetable depends on the availability of fertilizing, but it is worth remembering that radishes do not grow on soils with the addition of fresh manure. In this case, the plant will produce only green foliage. In beds with clay soils and low nutrient content, the root crops will be flabby with obvious signs of a bitter taste.

By following these simple rules for growing radishes, anyone, even a novice gardener, can get an excellent harvest of tasty, crisp, juicy radishes without any signs of obsessive bitterness in the taste.

For information on how to grow radishes so that they are not bitter, see below.