Bok choy
| Bok choy | |
|---|---|
| Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis | |
| Species | Brassica rapa | 
| Cultivar group | Chinensis | 
| Origin | China, 5th century AD | 
Bok choy (American English, Canadian English, and Australian English), pak choi (British English, South African English, and Caribbean English) or pok choi is a type of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) cultivated as a leaf vegetable to be used as food. Varieties do not form heads and have green leaf blades with lighter bulbous bottoms instead, forming a cluster reminiscent of mustard greens. Its flavor is described as being between spinach and water chestnuts but slightly sweeter, with a mildly peppery undertone. The green leaves have a stronger flavor than the white bulb.
Chinensis varieties are popular in southern China, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Originally classified as Brassica chinensis by Carl Linnaeus, they are now considered a subspecies of Brassica rapa. They are a member of the family Brassicaceae.