Napa or nappa cabbage is a type of Chinese cabbage originating near the Beijing region of China, and is widely used in East Asian cuisine. In much of the world, this is the vegetable referred to as "Chinese cabbage".
It takes a couple of months to grow cabbage, but some varieties are worth the wait. Napa cabbage is a large, puckered, tight-headed, fresh green with a flavor that is sweeter and milder than traditional cabbage. It is no more difficult to grow than traditional round-headed cabbage and is very versatile in the kitchen. Napa cabbages do not need a lot of tending. The large, oblong leaves are crinkled and very tightly wrapped the head. The stalks are almost white and the leaves are a very pale green. Heads grow upright. Chinese cabbage flowers are the familiar 4 yellow crossed petals of the cruciferous family.
