Leafy vegetables wilt after picking due to a process called transpiration, which is when water evaporates from the leaves of the plant. This causes the leaves to lose moisture and become limp and wilted. This process can be accelerated by high temperatures and dry air, which can cause the leaves to lose even more moisture more quickly. To prevent wilting, it is important to keep the leaves in a cool, moist environment as soon as possible after picking.

Why do leafy veggies wilt quickly after harvesting?

Leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and kale tend to wilt quickly after harvesting because they are highly perishable and lose moisture quickly. This is due to their high water content, which makes them prone to wilting. Additionally, their cell walls contain a lot of pectin, which is an enzyme that breaks down when exposed to heat or light, causing the cell walls to break down. This causes the vegetables to lose moisture and become limp. To help prevent wilting, it is important to keep leafy vegetables cool and store them in an airtight container.

Why do leafy vegetables wilt so easily?

Leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach, wilt so easily because they have a high water content. When exposed to warm temperatures, the water evaporates from the leaves, causing them to become limp and soft. Additionally, some vegetables, such as lettuce, have a cell structure that allows them to quickly collapse and wilt when exposed to heat. To reduce wilting, it is best to store leafy vegetables in the refrigerator, where the temperature is cool, and to use them quickly after purchase.