Fat choy

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/fat-choy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Nostoc flagelliforme
2. What is the biological classification?Terrestrial cyanobacterium
3. Why does Fat Choy look like hair?When it is dried, its strands become fine, dark, and hair‑like, which is why it is called "hair vegetable."
4. How do you prepare Fat Choy to eat?First soak the dried strands in cool water until they soften and become silky, then add them to dishes like braised meats or mushrooms.

Cyanobacterium: A phylum of bacteria that perform photosynthesis, often referred to as blue-green algae.
Terrestrial: Relating to or occurring on the earth's surface; land-dwelling.
Photosynthesis: The process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy.
Homophone: Each of two or more words having the same pronunciation but different meanings, origins, or spelling.