Produce
Celery
Celery’s stalks channel water — and anything dissolved in it — up through the plant, and the grooved surface is eaten raw and unpeeled. It ranks high on residue evidence despite modest nutrition.
Organic upgrade priority
Prioritize organic
Score 41/100 · about $1.50 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 56/100 against 8/100 for organic — a 48-point difference.
- →At about 4.5 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 56/100
- Higher residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 68/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $2.49
- per bunch · organic +40%
- Servings a week
- 4.5
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,316
- Conventional, 2021–2023 · 93 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional celery
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,316 | 93 |
| Program years | 2021–2023 | 2021–2023 |
| Samples with any residue | 91% | 15% |
| Mean residues per sample | 2.9 | 0.3 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.23% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 56/100 | 8/100 |
| Typical price | $2.49 / bunch | $3.49 / bunch |
Nutrition
Per 2 medium stalks (80 g).
13
calories
0.6 g
protein
1.3 g
fiber
65 mg
sodium
- Vitamin K 30% DV
- Very low calorie
- Natural nitrates
How to wash celery
Separate the stalks and wash each one individually — the grooves and the base of the bunch hold both grit and residue that a whole-head rinse never reaches.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Celery keeps for weeks wrapped in foil rather than the plastic sleeve it comes in — the foil lets ethylene escape while holding moisture.
- ◆The pale inner heart is more tender and much less bitter than the outer ribs; save the outer ones for stock.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic celery?
Yes, if you are upgrading anything. Celery scores 41/100 on organic upgrade priority — conventional samples index 56/100 against 8/100 for organic, and at roughly 4.5 servings a week per person that difference applies often. The upgrade costs about $1.50 a week for 2 people.
›Are celery high in pesticides?
Celery shows higher residue evidence — an index of 56/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,316 conventional samples from 2021–2023, 91% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 2.9 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.23% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic celery cost?
About 40% more at typical U.S. retail — $2.49 per bunch conventional against $3.49 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $1.50 a week.
›How should I wash celery?
Separate the stalks and wash each one individually — the grooves and the base of the bunch hold both grit and residue that a whole-head rinse never reaches.
›What can I buy instead of celery?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Carrots, Cucumbers, Cabbage cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Carrots
$2.49 / 2 lb bag · organic $3.49
Cabbage
$2.49 / head · organic $3.49
Cucumbers
$1.19 / each · organic $1.79
Spinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49