Advertisement
Cabbage
Choux
Appears in
Published 2010
Species name: Brassica oleracea var. capitata
The term cabbage is thought to be taken from the Normandy-Picardy word caboche, meaning “head.” Cabbage is a leafy mustard plant with each variety differing slightly Cabbage color will vary depending on the region and the pH level of the soil. Cabbage contains a pigment called anthocyanin. If grown in acidic soil, the cabbage will develop deep red leaves; however, if grown in alkaline soil, the leaves will be yellowish green.
Once growing in the wild, cabbage was cultivated early in the history of human civilization and is considered to be one of the most ancient of cultivated vegetables. Historical evidence suggests that cabbage farming began in the Near East more than four millennia ago. In its earliest known form, the cabbage was regarded as an herb. Centuries of careful cultivation has led to an expanded family that includes broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts.