The History of Brussels Sprouts

The precursors to today's Brussels sprouts date back to ancient Rome. Modern Brussels sprouts were first cultivated in the 13th century in Flanders (what is now Belgium). They are named after the Belgian capital, Brussels, where they first became popular around the 16th century. From there, Brussels sprouts spread throughout most of Europe and reached England around the end of the 1800s. (Today, the British consume more Brussels sprouts than European nations.) For decades, Brussels sprouts had a bad reputation as a mushy, stinky, and bitter side dish at holiday parties. This was largely due to the dominant preparation method at the time — boiling, which brings out their potential bitterness. However, these preparation methods have evolved in recent decades and today, Brussels sprouts are quite popular in many areas of the world, including the United States, where they are often sautéed, stir-fried, or baked in a very hot oven with oils and flavorings until tender and crispy.