From the archive record
Katuk (Sauropus androgynus) or “Sweet Leaf Bush” is another amazing perennial plant that grows with minimum effort. It produces nutritious high 6.4% protein leaves that taste like peas. It is one of the most popular leaf vegetables in South Asia and Southeast Asia and is notable for high yields and flavor. The shoot tips have been sold as tropical asparagus. In Vietnam, the locals cook it with crab meat, minced pork or dried shrimp to make soup. In Malaysia, it is commonly stir-fried with egg or dried anchovies. The flowers and small purplish fruits of the plant have also been eaten. In Indonesia, the leaves of the plant are used to make infusion, believed to improve the flow of breast milk for breastfeeding mothers. In 100 g of leaves the nutritional content is as follows: energy 59 cal