Have you found freckles on napa cabbages?

You might sometimes notice black dots on Napa cabbages used in kimchi and wonder about their origin.

Having grown up in South Korea, where such cabbages are common, I never thought much about these dots until now. I wasn't initially aware of the reason behind these freckles, so I decided to research it. I found useful information on Korean websites, likely due to the extensive database available there, given the high consumption of Napa cabbage and kimchi in Korea.

These dots are known as "pepper spots" in English and "깨씨무늬" (kkaessimuni) in Korean, which translates to "sesame seed pattern." They occur due to an imbalance in soil nitrogen levels—either too much or too little. Additionally, Napa cabbages prefer cooler fall weather over hot summer temperatures. When grown in the heat, the stress can make these spots more apparent. Growing tightly packed and maintaining good cabbage size can take a lot of effort for both farmers and the cabbages, making these spots quite common.

However, there's no need to worry. Pepper spots are neither a disease nor mold and do not affect the cabbage's texture or nutritional value. They’re just a natural feature of the cabbage, adding a bit of extra charm.

In our baek kimchi, you might notice these spots more due to the transparency of the cabbage. Rest assured, they don’t affect the quality or flavor of the kimchi. It remains delicious, with an added touch of uniqueness.