What it is for
They bring water, fibre, acid and colour. Most are 80–95% water, and much of cooking them is really about managing that water.
Where it catches you out
Under a lid they cook in their own water; in a crowded pan they steam. If you want colour, give them room and take the lid off.
The knack
Drain washed leaves before mixing with yoghurt so that rinse water does not dilute the dressing.
Storage and health
How to keep it, and who it suits.
Keeping it
Trim, dry thoroughly and refrigerate in a sealed container for 3-5 days.
Gluten-free
Plain purslane is naturally gluten-free.
Glycaemic index
This ingredient carries no meaningful carbohydrate, so it has no glycaemic index. On its own it will not move blood sugar; what you eat alongside it decides that.
Same family
Au
AubergineSoaks up 30% of its weight in oil
Pp
PepperTwice the vitamin C when red
Ca
CarrotBeta-carotene is fat soluble
Sp
SpinachOxalic acid blocks iron absorption
Sw
StrawberrypH 3.4 · low pectin, hard to set
Do
Tomato94.5% water · 18 kcal
Sl
Cucumber95.2% water · 15 kcal
Ka
Courgette94.8% water · 17 kcal
Pi
Leek83% water · 61 kcal
Kk
Celeriac88% water · 42 kcal
En
Globe artichoke84.9% water · 47 kcal
Bm
Okra89.6% water · 33 kcal
Pz
Swiss chard92.7% water · 19 kcal
Bl
White cabbage92.2% water · 25 kcal
Kr
Cauliflower92.1% water · 25 kcal
Br
Broccoli89.3% water · 34 kcal
Bz
Green peas78.9% water · 81 kcal
Tf
Green beans90.3% water · 31 kcal
Kt
Red radish95.3% water · 16 kcal
Sk
Turnip root91.9% water · 28 kcal
Bal
Pumpkin91.6% water · 26 kcal
Km
White button mushroom92.5% water · 22 kcal
Ma
Romaine lettuce94.6% water · 17 kcal
Ro
Rocket91.7% water · 25 kcal
Te
Garden cress89.4% water · 32 kcal
Ay
Grape leaves (fresh)73.3% water · 93 kcal
Sh
Black carrot?
El
Apple (with skin)85.6% water · 52 kcal
Ar
Pear84% water · 57 kcal
Av
Quince83.8% water · 57 kcal
Ky
Apricot86.4% water · 48 kcal
Ki
Sweet cherry82.3% water · 63 kcal
Vs
Sour cherry86.1% water · 50 kcal
In
Fig (fresh)79.1% water · 74 kcal
Uz
Grapes80.5% water · 69 kcal
Kv
Cantaloupe melon90.2% water · 34 kcal
Kar
Watermelon91.5% water · 30 kcal
Pr
Orange86.8% water · 47 kcal
Mn
Mandarin85.2% water · 53 kcal
Er
Plum (ripe)87.2% water · 46 kcal
Sf
Peach88.9% water · 39 kcal
Du
Mulberry (fresh)87.7% water · 43 kcal
Mu
Banana74.9% water · 89 kcal
Hu
Date (Medjool)21.3% water · 277 kcal
AubergineSoaks up 30% of its weight in oil
Pp
PepperTwice the vitamin C when red
Ca
CarrotBeta-carotene is fat soluble
Sp
SpinachOxalic acid blocks iron absorption
Sw
StrawberrypH 3.4 · low pectin, hard to set
Do
Tomato94.5% water · 18 kcal
Sl
Cucumber95.2% water · 15 kcal
Ka
Courgette94.8% water · 17 kcal
Pi
Leek83% water · 61 kcal
Kk
Celeriac88% water · 42 kcal
En
Globe artichoke84.9% water · 47 kcal
Bm
Okra89.6% water · 33 kcal
Pz
Swiss chard92.7% water · 19 kcal
Bl
White cabbage92.2% water · 25 kcal
Kr
Cauliflower92.1% water · 25 kcal
Br
Broccoli89.3% water · 34 kcal
Bz
Green peas78.9% water · 81 kcal
Tf
Green beans90.3% water · 31 kcal
Kt
Red radish95.3% water · 16 kcal
Sk
Turnip root91.9% water · 28 kcal
Bal
Pumpkin91.6% water · 26 kcal
Km
White button mushroom92.5% water · 22 kcal
Ma
Romaine lettuce94.6% water · 17 kcal
Ro
Rocket91.7% water · 25 kcal
Te
Garden cress89.4% water · 32 kcal
Ay
Grape leaves (fresh)73.3% water · 93 kcal
Sh
Black carrot?
El
Apple (with skin)85.6% water · 52 kcal
Ar
Pear84% water · 57 kcal
Av
Quince83.8% water · 57 kcal
Ky
Apricot86.4% water · 48 kcal
Ki
Sweet cherry82.3% water · 63 kcal
Vs
Sour cherry86.1% water · 50 kcal
In
Fig (fresh)79.1% water · 74 kcal
Uz
Grapes80.5% water · 69 kcal
Kv
Cantaloupe melon90.2% water · 34 kcal
Kar
Watermelon91.5% water · 30 kcal
Pr
Orange86.8% water · 47 kcal
Mn
Mandarin85.2% water · 53 kcal
Er
Plum (ripe)87.2% water · 46 kcal
Sf
Peach88.9% water · 39 kcal
Du
Mulberry (fresh)87.7% water · 43 kcal
Mu
Banana74.9% water · 89 kcal
Hu
Date (Medjool)21.3% water · 277 kcal