Everything Everywhere Daily Cruciferous Vegetables (Encore)
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Mar 23, 2025 Discover the intriguing origins of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. These diet staples weren't always on our plates; they evolved from wild plants thanks to human cultivation. Learn about the ancient significance of these foods, their medicinal uses, and how selective breeding has created the diverse varieties we enjoy today. Dive into the fascinating genetic history that shaped these nutritious greens and understand their vital role in ancient cultures.
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Cruciferous Vegetables
- Cruciferous vegetables encompass various plants like kale, broccoli, and cabbage, all belonging to the Brassicaceae family.
- This family also includes mustard plants and rapeseed, the source of canola oil.
Origin of Cruciferous Vegetables
- All listed cruciferous vegetables are derived from Brassica oleracea, a wild plant found in Southern and Western Europe.
- These vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, are not naturally occurring but products of human cultivation.
Cabbage Cultivation History
- Cabbage, likely first cultivated around 1000 BC by Celtic people, was highly valued by ancient Greeks and Romans.
- The Romans, particularly fond of cabbage, documented various types and even had an emperor, Diocletian, retire to cultivate them.