Flat Leaf Parsley Vs. Curly Leaf Parsley. There are several different types of parsley, the main two being flat leaf and curly leaf. These types are much as their names suggest. While they are both parsley and look only a little bit different, there are actually several differences between the two kinds.
Flat Leaf Parsley
Flat leaf parsley, also known as Italian parsley, is the more common type used in cooking. This kind of parsley has broad flat leaves on the plant. Italian parsley has a bold flavor, as it contains more oils than its curly leaf cousin. The flat leaf variety can be found in a range of colors, from a bright leafy, green to a darker green. This is often the preferred type because of it being more flavorful. Therefore, flat leaf parsley works better to enhance dishes when cooked into them, garnished fresh, or even dried.
Curly Leaf Parsley
Curly leaf parsley on the other hand has thicker ruffly leaves on its plants. It is also less flavorful, and has a taste that resembles bitter grass, which gets more pronounced over time. This kind of parsley is usually bright green in color. It is often used as a garnish to enhance a plate when served or to assist by adding a pop of color to seafood displays.
A fun fact: even though parsley is most often used for its leaves, the most flavorful part of the plant isn’t actually its leaves. If you want to try adding more flavor to your dish, dice up the entire parsley sprig, including the stem. Add it to all kinds of dishes, including but not limited to sauces, stocks, sautés and more. By adding the whole sprig you will gain added flavor as well as additional vitamins. It’s a win, win!
What is your favorite kind of parsley to cook with? Let us know! We love hearing your stories!
There are two main types of parsley. Flat Leaf Parsley Vs. Curly Leaf Parsley, although they may both be parsley, each one looks and tastes quite different from the other.
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