Kale's ruffly leaves have a bold cabbage flavor. When cooked, kale holds its texture and doesn't shrink up as much as other greens. Selection: Choose richly colored bunches, avoiding any with limp or yellowing leaves. Storage: Store in the refrigerator crisper no longer than 3 days. After that, the flavor becomes stronger and the leaves will begin to get limp. To clean: Rinse leaves in cool water to remove sand and dirt.