Discover the 4 Popular Varieties of Kale and How to Enjoy Them

In recent times, kale has certainly taken center stage over other leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, and cabbage. With its impressive nutritional profile and anti-inflammatory benefits, it has become a favorite for health-conscious eaters. Whether you enjoy it raw in a salad, toss it into soups and stews, or bake it into crispy chips, there are plenty of ways to reap the rewards of this powerhouse veggie.

While the most common kale you’ll find in stores is the curly green variety, there are actually several types of kale available. You might be surprised to learn that some kale varieties don’t even look like the curly kale you’re familiar with. Keep reading to explore the four most popular types of kale, their unique traits, and tips on how to use and store them.

What Exactly Is Kale?

Different Varieties of Kale

Curly Kale

Curly kale is the most common variety found in grocery stores and markets. It may also be known by other names, such as Winterbor kale, Scottish kale, Blue Curled Scotch kale, Redbor kale, and Scarlet kale. This type of kale features oblong or oval-shaped leaves with white veins. The thick, waxy leaves are connected to long, robust, fibrous stems.

Curly kale delivers a robust, earthy flavor that stands out in raw dishes like salads and smoothies. This hearty green also works well when cooked—whether steamed, boiled, or microwaved. For a creative twist, try baking or air-frying the leaves to make crispy kale chips, or toss them into soups for added texture and nutrition.

Italian Kale

Italian kale is closely related to curly kale, though they belong to different varieties—curly kale is part of the sabellica variety, while Italian kale falls under the palmifolia variety. Like its curly counterpart, Italian kale has many aliases, including dinosaur kale, Toscano kale, Tuscan kale, Lacinato kale, Cavolo nero, black Tuscan kale, and palm kale.

Italian kale stands apart from curly kale with its flat, bumpy, and narrow leaves, which boast a dark green to deep blue-green shade. While the stems are similarly tough and fibrous, the leaves of Italian kale are milder and slightly sweeter in taste. This variety makes a fantastic addition to salads and is equally great for stir-frying or adding to soups. It pairs wonderfully with pastas and grains, as seen in this recipe for Red Quinoa and Tuscan Kale.

Chinese Kale

Chinese kale, also called Chinese broccoli (Gai lan in Cantonese and Jiè lán in Mandarin), is commonly found in Asian markets and may even be available in larger supermarkets depending on your location. The leaves of Chinese broccoli range from pale to dark green, with some varieties showing subtle differences in texture, ranging from smooth to slightly wrinkled.

Chinese kale is aptly named for its similarity in taste and texture to traditional broccoli. The stalks are thick, crunchy, and have a milder, sweeter flavor compared to other kale varieties. The younger version, often referred to as 'baby' Chinese kale, has thinner, more tender stems and a crisp texture. Older Chinese kale, however, features wider, more fibrous stalks and stronger, sometimes bitter leaves. Unlike most kale types, Chinese kale is best when cooked—whether boiled, steamed, sautéed, or stir-fried.

Russian Kale

Russian kale, also known as Siberian kale or Ragged Jack kale, belongs to the same species as rapeseed and canola. It comes in two varieties: Red Russian and White Russian. The Red Russian variety has flat, blue-green leaves with purple or red stems, while the White Russian variety features bright green, ruffled leaves with white veins and stems.

Russian kale is known for being more tender, milder, and sweeter than other kale varieties, making it a fantastic choice for fresh salads and hearty soups.

How to Store Kale

The shelf life of kale depends on proper storage. According to the USDA Foodkeeper App, fresh kale can last between 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, and if frozen, it can stay good for 8 to 12 months from the purchase date. Be sure to check out our kale storage guide to keep your kale fresh and crisp as long as possible.