CHINESE OKRA (PREORDER)

~30 - 40 lbs Chinese Okra aka "Angled Luffa", "Silk Squash", "Turai", "Ridge Gourd", "Sheng-Gua", "Si-Gua", "勝瓜", "胜瓜", "丝瓜" Chinese okra is a long, ridged, dark green vegetable consumed like summer squash. It usually grows up to ten to thirteen inches in length. The taste resembles zucchini and the interior is almost foamy. Chinese okra is good at sopping up liquid. It is a common ingredient in soups and stir-fried dishes. Handling Tip Selection Chinese okra is straight, uniform green color, and unblemished. Chinese okra yields slightly when squeezed. Avoid Chinese okra that is too firm. They are over-mature and bitter. Storage Chinese okra should be stored at 50°F - 54°F (10°C - 12°C) with a relative humidity of ninety to ninety-five percent and with mist. The typical shelf life is up to two weeks. Chinese okra is sensitive to ethylene, a naturally occurring gas that regulates ripening. Chinese okra should not be stored with high ethylene-producing products to extend shelf life and avoid loss of green color and reduced quality. Chinese okra produces a very low level of ethylene. Chinese okra is sensitive to chilling injury at storage under 50°F (10°C). Symptoms include skin discoloration, watery lesions under the skin, and enhanced decay.