Confusion over the identity of Asian vegetables will soon be a thing of the past with a new world-first national naming system for Asian vegetables.

The standardised name list was launched today in Cabramatta, Sydney.

Asian vegetables can have different names in different states, in different retail outlets, and be spelled in all sorts of ways. This causes confusion among growers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers.

Until now, a Melbourne retailer ordering a pallet of Chinese cabbage from a Queensland supplier could well have ended up with something quite different to what they were expecting.

When consumers don’t know if pak choy is the same as buk choy, or even if what they really want is choy sum, they are unwilling to try new products, even with a recipe in hand.

Consumers have also voiced concerns over country of origin labelling – “if it is Chinese broccoli, does that mean it comes from China?”

The new system has been developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) as part of the project “Increasing Market Access for Asian vegetables” funded by Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) and AUSVEG – the vegetable industry peak body. The Australian Government provides matched funding for all HAL's R&D activities

With participation from major retailers and wholesalers (Coles, Woolworths, Harris Farm Markets), along with Sydney Markets and the Australian vegetable industry, the researchers have been developing a standardised national system for Asian vegetable names.

Agreement has now been reached on 14 important product lines, and these standardised names are being phased in nationally. The vegetables on the list are Wombok (Chinese Cabbage), Pak Choy, Buk Choy, Baby Buk Choy, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Gai Choy, Choy Sum, Baby Choy Sum, White Radish, Chi Qua, Seng Qua, Sin Qua, Kang Kon and En Choy.

The launch event included a visit to nearby vegetable farms, a lunch featuring the vegetables, and a guided tour of Cabramatta by Asian food specialist, author and celebrity chef Carol Selva-Rajah. This “Day Trip to Asia” was a showcase of the exotic sights, tastes and smells of Australia’s most multicultural suburb.

Asian vegetables suit the modern lifestyle, being quick to cook, healthy and flavoursome. This valuable project will ensure that many more people learn about the new tastes and textures of these vegetables – grown locally, for all Australians.

ENDS

Media inquiries:
Gosford Horticultural Institute  Dr Jenny Ekman
02 4348 1942 or jenny.ekman@dpi.nsw.gov.au
RIRDC Research Manager - Asian Foods R&D Tony Byrne
02 6272  5472 or tony.byrne@rirdc.gov.au

HIGH RES PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE: (Right click on photo to download high-resolution version. Caption is in the name).
Also see this PDF document  (900k) of names and pictures of Asian vegetables.