Bamboo shoots

How to select

Look for bamboo shoots that have a firm skin and feel heavy.

How to prepare

Peel the rough outer skin and boil bamboo shoots in rice water for 1.5-2 hours. After boiling, rinse with water. 

How to store

• Boil and freeze bamboo shoots to keep them for two weeks or more. 
• Canned and pickled bamboo shoots can last as long as one year. 
• Leave the outer skin on the bamboo shoot if storing in the fridge or at room temperature.

Peak season

Spring

Ways to use

• Add bamboo shoots to stir fries with chicken, beef, pork, etc. 
• Add bamboo shoots to soups, salads, or stews or mix them with other vegetables in a side dish.

Fun facts

• Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world and can grow up to 35 meters. 
• In addition to being used for food, bamboo is also used for clothing, concrete reinforcement, and livestock feed. 
• There are 1,439 different bamboo species.

Nutrition facts and info

Bamboo shoots are a source of potassium, phosphorus, zinc, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, and iron. Bamboo shoots also contain several amino acids.

1 cup cooked bamboo shoots = 64 calories, 2.5 g protein, 4.5 g fat, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 12 mg calcium, 39 mg phosphorus, 121 mg potassium