Best to Blanch Fresh Chinese Toon with Boiling Water
Warm spring brings not only bright sunshine and gentle breezes but also tempting seasonal delicacies. Chinese toon shoots are the epitome of freshness and seasonality among vegetables—missing the early spring window means missing the chance to enjoy their fragrant aroma.
Chinese toon, also known as Chinese toon shoots or toon heads, has a vibrant green color, tender crispness, and unique fragrance—making it a beloved spring vegetable.
Traditional Chinese medicine considers Chinese toon bitter and cold in nature, with functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, strengthening the stomach, regulating qi, killing parasites, and solidifying essence. Additionally, it is rich in vitamin C, high-quality protein, and minerals like phosphorus and iron—making it a rare gem among vegetables.
Medicinal Value of Chinese Toon
Chinese toon is not only a fine vegetable but also a valuable herb. Its roots, bark, and fruits are all medicinal. Tender Chinese toon leaves stimulate appetite and improve digestion. For patients with weak spleen and stomach, abdominal distension, loss of appetite, use 20 grams of young toon leaves, 10 grams of agastache, 20 grams of fried Sanxian (a trio of herbs), and 15 grams of lotus seeds. Boil in water and take twice daily.
Toon bark refers to the inner bark or root bark of the Chinese toon tree. It clears heat, dries dampness, astringes the intestines, stops bleeding, and kills parasites. It treats chronic diarrhea, dysentery, bloody stools, uterine bleeding, leukorrhea, seminal emission, childhood malnutrition, and roundworm infestations. Wash 50–100 grams of toon bark, boil in water for external washing or prepare into ointment for treating skin sores—highly effective.
Toon seeds are the fruit of the Chinese toon tree, with effects of dispelling wind-cold and relieving pain. Used for treating external wind-cold invasion, stomach pain, and rheumatic joint pain. For hernia pain, use 10 grams toon seeds and 10 grams orange seeds, decoct and drink twice daily. For stomachache, use 10 grams toon seeds and 6 grams nine fragrant bug, decoct and drink—effective in regulating qi and relieving pain.
Blanch Chinese Toon with Boiling Water
Studies show that every kilogram of Chinese toon contains over 30 mg of nitrite, up to 53.9 mg/kg in older leaves. Such high levels can cause nitrite poisoning and even increase cancer risk. Tests show that unwashed Chinese toon has 34.1 mg/kg nitrite, while blanched toon drops to just 4.4 mg/kg. Stir-frying unblanched toon with eggs yields 83.3 mg/kg nitrite, whereas blanched toon yields only 1.5 mg/kg.
Tests also prove that soaking in 15% or 30% salt water does not reduce nitrite levels. Therefore, always eat Chinese toon that has been blanched in boiling water.