In this story
- Arugula is a leafy vegetable in the Brassicaceae family
- Its peppery character is associated with glucosinolates
- Tender leaves and a distinct flavour coexist
- With fried avocado, it forms the centre of the burger
- Fresh leaves are sensitive to pressure and moisture loss
- The peppery finish left by arugula
- Questions about arugula
The short answer
Arugula is a leafy vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, and glucosinolates and their breakdown products contribute to its distinctive peppery, bitter taste. In Mahina Vegan Table's Fried Avocado Arugula Burger, arugula creates a flavour contrast among crisp fried avocado, a vegan patty, tomato and Ezabel lettuce.
Three clues for understanding arugula's flavour
- Arugula is a leafy vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, and Eruca vesicaria is its currently accepted scientific name.
- Its peppery, bitter taste is associated with glucosinolates and their breakdown products.
- In the Fried Avocado Arugula Burger, the fresh leaves add flavour between a tender centre and a crisp surface.
Into the story
Arugula is a leafy vegetable in the Brassicaceae family
Eruca vesicaria, the species used as arugula, belongs to the Brassicaceae family. The names arugula and rocket are both used in English.
Mahina Vegan Table uses the Korean name for this leafy vegetable on its Korean menu and ‘Arugula’ in English. The intensity of its peppery flavour varies with growing conditions and stage of growth.
Its peppery character is associated with glucosinolates
Glucosinolates and their breakdown products contribute to arugula's characteristic pungent aroma and bitter taste. Mustard or radish, from the same plant family, offers a familiar point of reference for this flavour family.
Thin leaves do not necessarily mean a mild flavour. Arugula can retain a brief, distinct pepperiness even between sauce and patty, allowing a handful of leaves to change the overall impression of a burger.
Tender leaves and a distinct flavour coexist
Arugula's leaf form and flavour can vary with growing conditions and stage of growth. Without knowing the cultivar and harvest timing, the heat or bitterness of every arugula cannot be reduced to one value.
On the plate, the aroma that remains when the leaves are chewed with other ingredients matters more than their size. Arugula need not advertise its quantity; it brings a clear finish to a bite.
Fresh leaves are sensitive to pressure and moisture loss
Culinary plants with tender leaves can lose quality quickly through moisture loss, pressure and high temperatures. With arugula, leaf resilience and the absence of damage are worth considering together.
At home, after washing, avoid allowing water to sit between the leaves; spread them loosely enough to prevent crushing and keep them chilled. Remove softened leaves first, as they can quickly leave the surrounding leaves wet.
The peppery finish left by arugula
Eaten alone, arugula may seem markedly peppery. With the patty, fried avocado and tomato, that flavour becomes one part of the burger. A bite containing several layers together expresses the menu's composition better than separating the ingredients.
In Mahina Vegan Table's Fried Avocado Arugula Burger, arugula is not decoration; together with fried avocado, it defines the character of the menu item.
Questions about arugula
- Why is arugula peppery?
- Glucosinolates and their breakdown products contribute to arugula's distinctive peppery, bitter taste.
- Does every arugula taste the same?
- Even within arugula, the intensity of pepperiness and bitterness can vary with cultivar, stage of growth and growing conditions.
- Are arugula and rocket different vegetables?
- They are regional English names for the same leafy vegetable. Arugula is widely used in American English and rocket in British English.
- Would it taste the same without arugula?
- Without arugula's pepperiness and fresh leaf texture, the balance of flavours changes. If you need to avoid a particular ingredient, contact the restaurant before ordering.
A crisp surface, tender centre and the pepperiness of arugula overlap in one burger.
View the Fried Avocado Arugula Burger
