And are they really from Brussels? (2024)

FAQs

Are Brussels sprouts really from Brussels? ›

Although native to the Mediterranean region with other cabbage species, Brussels sprouts first appeared in northern Europe during the 5th century; they were later cultivated in the 13th century near Brussels, Belgium, from which their name derives.

Central Quarter. The origins of Brussels can be traced back to the heart of Saint-Géry/Sint-Goriks Island, formed by the river Senne, on which a first keep was built around 979.

How Did Brussels Sprouts Get Their Name? Brussels sprouts are named after the capital city of Belgium — they were cultivated in the country in the 16th century. Knowing this fact can help you remember that it's Brussels sprouts, not Brussel sprouts, and it's Brussels sprout even if you're only referring to one sprout.

All of these vegetables are, in fact, the same species, Brassica oleracea. They all stem (if you'll pardon the pun) from a wild mustard plant that has been bred in various ways to enhance nutrition or yield, or make it easier to grow and harvest. Broccoli and the other varieties of B.

Brussels sprouts are the same species as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli and kohlrabi (among others). They are all different parts of the wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) plant, which have been selectively bred for different exaggerated traits. Brussels sprouts are the bud.

About 30 years ago, a Dutch scientist identified the chemicals that made brussels sprouts bitter. He selected seed varieties with lower levels of the bitter chemicals and bred new high-yielding varieties that tasted less bitter.

Dutch (Flemish) is spoken in the Flemish communities, while French is spoken in Wallonia. In Brussels the most common language is French.

Inhabitants of Brussels are known in French as Bruxellois (pronounced [bʁysɛlwa]) and in Dutch as Brusselaars (pronounced [ˈbrʏsəlaːrs]). In the Brabantian dialect of Brussels (known as Brusselian, and also sometimes referred to as Marols or Marollien), they are called Brusseleers or Brusseleirs.

If speaking French they call them “choux de Bruxelles” because that's what they're called in French. If speaking Dutch/Flemish apparently they're “spruitjes”. In German they're “der Rosenkohl” (yes, singular). And in English they're Brussels sprouts.

Is it OK to eat Brussels sprouts everyday? Go for it. “If you enjoy sprouts and can tolerate them, absolutely! They're lower in calories and contain a myriad of important nutrients” says Snyder.

Is it better to eat Brussels sprouts raw or cooked? ›

Brussels sprouts are a nutritious vegetable in the cruciferous family. While they're often enjoyed cooked using methods like roasting, steaming, or boiling, you can also enjoy Brussels sprouts raw. The most common side effect of eating raw Brussels sprouts is that they may cause gas in some people.

Containing more vitamin C than an orange and with just eighty calories in a half pound, Britons eat more of them than any other European country, around 40,000 tonnes a year — and yes, we do eat them all year round.

There are also nutritional differences - cabbage has fewer calories than Brussels sprouts, but also fewer nutrients, with sprouts containing higher concentrations of vitamins A and C, Folic Acid, Potassium, Magnesium and Phosphorus.

The brussels sprout as we know it was first documented in the late 16th century, but there is no doubt our ancestors were eating it long before then. That's because the brussels sprout isn't a natural plant, but rather a cultivation of humans.

Broccoli is a descendant of the wild cabbage plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region. Over the years, farmers selectively bred wild cabbage plants to produce various cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli. One of the main reasons broccoli was bred was for its high nutritional value.

What am I? Brussels sprouts resemble small cabbages. They are firm and bright green in color. They are believed to have originated from Brussels, Belgium.

The precursors to modern Brussels sprouts were grown in Ancient Rome, but the sprouts we're familiar with were first cultivated back in the 13th century, in what is now Belgium. It is thought that the vegetable is named after the Belgian capital, where they became a popular crop in the 16th century.

As I said earlier, brussels sprouts are a human-engineered strain of a plant called Brassica oleracea, which is also known as wild cabbage. Other strains include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and turnips. Collectively, we refer to this family as cruciferous vegetables.

In 2022, the world imports of "Brussels sprouts, fresh/chilled" exceeded $257 million (according to external trade statistics of 105 countries).