We recently hosted a Facebook Live video from an early-morning chard harvest at one of our ranches in California to give you a glimpse into what goes into producing this beautiful and delectable green. If you missed it, check out the video here or simply get a 360 degree photographic view of the field.

Although maybe less famous than some of our other varietals, chard lends its delicious earthiness to many of our mixes; so we thought it was worth sharing some background about chard, our organic chard-based Earthbound products and some of our favorite chard recipes.

By way of background, chard has been around for centuries and is a mainstay of Mediterranean cuisine. Because it is in the spinach and beet family, its flavor is mild yet earthy and sweet with slightly bitter undertones. If you’re a spinach fan, you will probably enjoy chard.

Perhaps chard’s biggest quirk is the many common names by which it’s known. You may have heard people refer to it as Swiss chard (despite it originating from Sicily), leaf beet, silver beet, seakettle beet, perpetual spinach and spinach beet…to name a few!

Confusing nomenclature aside, all you really need to know is that it’s a tasty, beautiful and nutrient-dense vegetable with wide flat stems resembling celery. The leaf blade can be green or reddish in color; the leaf stalks also vary in color, usually white, yellow, or red. Chard can be harvested while the leaves are young and tender (like those used in our Earthbound Farm organic lettuce blends, which are ideal to eat raw—adding a beet-like flavor to salads and sandwiches); or when they are larger and more mature (as with our organic bunched chard, which is best suited for cooking or sautéing in similar applications to spinach).

Discover the versatile deliciousness of organic chard with a variety of Earthbound Farm products and recipes! Enjoy…

Earthbound Farm Organic Bunched ChardExperience the distinct and delicious flavors of mature red, green and rainbow chard, which are ideal for cooking or sautéing. Try it in: Chard, Fennel & White Bean Soup with Clams and Pistachio Pesto.

Earthbound Farm Organic Savory ArugulaPeppery Arugula, Distinct Chard and Baby Greens come together for this delicious blend. Try it in: Shrimp, Strawberry and Avocado Salad with No Mayo Green Goddess Dressing.

Earthbound Farm Organic Power GreensA super-versatile mix of tender baby spinach, baby red and green chards, and baby kale. Try it in: Power Waffles with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Basil and Ricotta.

Earthbound Farm Organic Asian GreensA bold blend of authentic baby Asian greens, chards and spinach. Try it in: Japanese Power Bowl with Quick Miso Vinaigrette.

Earthbound Farm Frozen Organic Power BlendA hearty and nutritious mix of organic spinach, kale and chard, convenient for adding to favorite recipes. Try it in: Power Frittatas.