The History of Cabbage

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region. While it was known to the ancient Greeks, it was the ancient Romans who really embraced the vegetable. In fact, cabbage was so popular that Julius Caesar brought it with him when he invaded England in 55 B.C., thus introducing the crop to the area. Cabbage was next introduced to China via the Silk Road and became popular in many parts of Asia. (For example, cabbage still plays a key role in Korean cuisine today in the form of kimchi.) Cabbage was later introduced to America when European colonists brought the crop with them. Notably, cabbage became especially important in the northern parts of the country, since the crop thrives in cool weather. The name cabbage itself is reportedly derived from an old French word, caboche, meaning “head.” Today, cabbage is considered a staple vegetable and plays a key role in cuisines all around the world.