In days of olde, before COVID wracked the land, whenever I bought water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) at the farmer’s market, it was usually dismissed with ‘insect ridden’ or ‘too old’ and chucked into the garbage. Well, after the passage of time, and the advent of inflation at the Asian stores, the last two bundles I’ve bought at the King of Spinach’s stall have received quite different treatment. After the purchase, I texted someone that we could either eat it or they could take it to their sister’s — their choice. It seems either the growers have improved or my eyes have improved, but their sister did not get the bundle tonight, and, oh my, the stems were crunchy.