The History of Kale

While kale didn’t become widely popular in the United States until roughly a decade ago, it’s actually a very ancient vegetable. In fact, kale is a descendent of wild cabbage. Native to Europe and Asia Minor, it has grown and been consumed for nearly 4,000 years. Kale has a long history of popularity in Scotland, where kitchen gardens are sometimes referred to as “kale yards” because the vegetable is so prevalent in them. It also has roots in Ireland, where children used to pull up stalks to predict their love lives (much like the tradition of picking daisy petals in the U.S.) as well as in Japan, where it has long been dried and ground into a powder for green drinks. Kale has also been a winter garden staple in both the Netherlands and Germany for centuries. Because kale is so hardy, it was frequently included in many Victory Gardens grown in Great Britain during World War II. Today, kale is widely popular in many parts of the world. Its popularity exploded in the U.S. and other areas where it wasn't traditionally eaten after it became associated with health-conscious eating and the wellness movement in the early 2010s. It is considered a “superfood” and remains very popular among health-conscious eaters all over the world today.