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Celery in Summer

Bunch of celery and some chopped next to a glass of fresh celery juice.

If you’re a Medical Medium fan, or you simply enjoy a crunchy stick of celery as an afternoon snack, you might notice a change when summer rolls around. Suddenly, celery can be a little more hollow, stringy or bitter, and when you try to juice it… You barely get a drop. 🧃

It’s not your juicer, and it’s not that the produce isn’t fresh. What you’re noticing is a natural response to the seasons.

Celery is a cool-season crop, and as temperatures rise, its texture and flavour can shift. Understanding why this happens helps set realistic expectations and, more importantly, helps you get the best possible experience from celery during the warmer months.

How Summer Heat Affects Celery 🌡️

1. Bitterness and stringiness can increase
In hotter conditions, celery produces more lignin, a structural fibre that helps the plant cope with stress. While lignin supports the plant, it can also make stalks tougher, more fibrous and slightly more bitter, particularly noticeable when eaten raw or juiced.

2. Stalks may be thinner and less juicy
Celery grown in cooler, stable conditions tends to develop thick, crisp stalks. During summer, growth can slow as the plant focuses on surviving the heat, which may result in thinner stems with less crunch and lower juice yield.

3. Higher water demands 💦
Celery has very high water requirements and relies on consistent soil moisture. Summer heat increases evaporation, making it more challenging to maintain even moisture levels, even for experienced growers. When this balance is harder to achieve, flavour and texture are often affected first.

Why Celery Juice Can Be Tricky in Summer 🧃

These growing conditions naturally influence how celery performs in the kitchen.

In warmer months, celery may:

  • Yield less juice
  • Be more fibrous
  • Taste slightly more bitter
  • Create more pulp when juicing

This doesn’t mean celery isn’t worth enjoying in summer; it simply means adjusting expectations and preparation methods can make a big difference.

The Health Benefits of Celery 🥬

Even during summer, celery still offers genuine nutritional benefits and can absolutely be part of a balanced diet.

Celery is:

  • High in water, supporting hydration 💧
  • A good source of vitamin K, important for bone health
  • Rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids
  • Naturally contains electrolytes, including potassium
  • Low in calories and easy to include in meals

The key is focusing on how you use celery during warmer months to get the most enjoyment and benefits from it.

Summer Vegetables With Similar Benefits 🌱

If you find celery less appealing in summer, it can help to substitute it with other seasonal produce that thrives in the heat and offers similar nutritional support:

  • Cucumbers 🥒 – highly hydrating, cooling and gentle on digestion
  • Zucchini – rich in antioxidants and potassium
  • Lettuce varieties – mineral-rich, refreshing and hydrating
  • Tomatoes 🍅 – high in antioxidants like lycopene
  • Watermelon 🍉 – hydration plus potassium and vitamin C


These foods often deliver better flavour and texture in summer while still supporting hydration and overall nourishment.

A Few Tips for Celery Lovers 💚

Freeze it in winter ❄️
If celery juice is part of your regular juicing routine, one of the best ways to enjoy high-quality celery year-round is to freeze it when it’s at its peak.

In the cooler months, when celery is:

  • Crunchier
  • Juicier
  • Sweeter
  • Less fibrous

You can:

  • Wash and chop celery
  • Freeze it in airtight containers or reusable freezer bags
  • Use it straight from frozen for juicing or smoothies

Freezing celery during its peak season helps lock in freshness and quality, making it a great option when summer celery is less cooperative.

Are There Better Ways to Eat Celery in Hotter Months? 🌞🥬

If you still want to enjoy fresh celery in summer, changing how you use it can make all the difference.

Rather than relying on celery juice or raw sticks alone, try preparation methods that soften fibres and balance flavour:

🥗 Finely sliced in salads
Thinly slice celery and pair it with lemon juice, vinegar or tomatoes. A little acidity helps mellow bitterness and improve texture.

🔥 Lightly cooked
Quick sautéing, steaming or adding celery to soups and broths can soften fibres and make it easier to digest.

🥒 Paired with high-water vegetables
Combining celery with cucumber, lettuce, or zucchini can balance flavour and texture in salads or blended dishes.

🍋 With healthy fats and seasoning
Olive oil, herbs, salt and citrus help bring out celery’s savoury notes and reduce bitterness.

🧊 Frozen celery in smoothies
Frozen celery from cooler months often works better in smoothies than fresh summer celery.

Eating With the Seasons 🌏

Celery’s summer quirks are a gentle reminder that eating seasonally is all about timing with the amazing rhythm of Mother Nature, not restriction.

When we choose vegetables at their natural peak, we often get:

  • Better flavour and texture
  • Less stress on crops and water systems
  • More sustainable farming outcomes
  • A more enjoyable food experience overall

Celery has its strengths, and those really come through in the cooler months. During summer, it can still be enjoyed, just often in different ways. And with so many vegetables thriving in the heat right now, leaning into what’s in season can make eating (and juicing) feel easier, fresher and more satisfying all-year-round. 💚


References & Further Reading 📚

 

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