The History of Radishes

Radishes (Raphanus sp.) are a cool-weather crop with a surprisingly long history. There are many different species, but just two main varieties — spring radishes and winter radishes. It’s thought that radishes were first cultivated in Egypt as far back as 2700 B.C. and were domesticated in China as early as 500 B.C. before spreading throughout Asia. In ancient Egypt, radishes were pressed for oil and were also reportedly used as a payment method for some of the people who helped built the pyramids. In ancient Greece, radishes were replicated in gold and given to the god Apollo as offerings. The vegetables were also used for medicinal purposes in ancient Rome and are mentioned in Pliny the Elder’s Natural History. During the Middle Ages, radishes became increasingly common in European cuisine. The word “radish” even appears as a humorous insult in some of Shakespeare’s plays. Radishes were later introduced to the Americas by European colonists. Today, radishes are widely cultivated and consumed in most parts of the world, including the United States.