SEOUL, March 10 (Korea Bizwire) – A Korean farm has succeeded in growing an exotic succulent plant originating from South Africa. The nutritious vegetable is called ficoïde glaciale, or ice plant, and is known to be a difficult plant to be sown on Korean soil. Jang Jong-Geun, head of Jingsung Farm in Ocheon-eup, Pohang, failed many times before finally becoming the first to cultivate the plant in Korea.
The still little-known vegetable, sometimes called crystalline iceplant, is covered with shimmering, crystal-looking dots which give the plant a frosty appearance. Imported iceplant currently sells for 30,000-40,000 won (US$ 26-35) per kilogram among gourmets in Pohang.
Jang recognized the great commercial value of the plant while participating in a course from Nonghyup’s organic farming program two years ago. He gambled on cultivating and commercializing the unfamiliar plant after 35 years of rice and spinach farming, and did not stop research even with recurring failures. Finally, his business is on the verge of success, as Jingsung Farm is now readying to ship 1 ton of ficoïde glaciale.
The juicy and crunchy leaves of the plant are perfect for salad and fried food, containing high levels of minerals known to lower blood sugar and reduce neutral fat.
Image courtesy of Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
I have a lot of ice plant growing in hydroponic system at home.