Watercress is a semi-aquatic plant (member of the Brassicaceae family like cabbage, kale, and mustard greens). Fresh watercress is a cool-season herb, used as lettuce greens.
Watercress is one of the oldest known vegetable. Watercress leaves are small to medium sized, and are oval to round in shape. watercress has a hollow, crisp stem that can slowly creep over land and water.
Fresh watercress has a spicy aroma and a slightly bitter, peppery, and tangy taste. When cooked, bitter taste of watercress decreases.
Scientific name of Watercress
Nasturtium Officinale
Other names of Watercress
- Cress
- Yellowcress
- Cress Green
- Berro
- Cresson
- Crescione
- Agrião
Nutrition facts of Watercress
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit | DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 11 | KCAL | |
| Fat | 0.1 | GRAM | 0% |
| Protein | 2.3 | GRAM | 5% |
| Carbohydrate | 1.29 | GRAM | 0% |
Calories by source in Watercress:
- Calories by carbohydrate in Watercress = 42%
- Calories by fat in Watercress = 7%
- Calories by protein in Watercress = 51%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Watercress:
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Watercress = 50%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Watercress = 39%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Watercress = 11%
Detailed vitamin profile of Watercress, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart at the end of the article.
Detailed mineral profile of Watercress, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart at the end of the article.
Check freshness in Watercress
- Select watercress that is green without yellow spots or slippery / slimy stems.
Availability of Watercress
- Generally water cress is available round the year because of it being now cultivated in hydrophonic setups.
How to store Watercress
- Watercress can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days in cold climate
- Watercress can be stored in refrigerator for 4-5 days. Use a plastic bag for storage
Complete nutrition facts of Watercress
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Watercress nutrition chart/infographic.
