Few types of vegetables are as diverse as cabbage. But the different types and varieties of cabbage are the result of centuries of breeding.
In today's world, many of us lack any connection to food. In the vegetable department of the supermarket one likes to grab kohlrabi, cauliflower or other types of cabbage. However, hardly anyone knows that these types of cabbage have not existed since time immemorial. All forms of cabbage that we appreciate so much today have their origin in wild cabbage, which is also called original cabbage. This can still be found today in its original form in some Mediterranean countries and on the English Atlantic coast. This game species has continued to develop over many centuries. Partly through natural crossing, but mostly through targeted crossing by humans.
Tastes are known to vary, so breeding work has focused on different parts of the plant. Only in this way is it possible that with kohlrabi we actually eat a thickened form of the trunk and with kale only the leaves. Further goals of these breeding efforts were to increase the yield and the quality improvement in terms of taste, ingredients and shelf life.
The following overview shows which parts of the original cabbage were specifically bred.
broccoli
broccoli is closely related to cauliflower. Here the flower buds and the stalk have been grown and selected over the centuries. Similar to cauliflower, this type of cabbage blooms in the first year. Other representatives of cabbage bloom only in the second year.
A detailed examination of this type of cabbage can be found here: Broccoli in portrait.
Kohlrabi
That Kohlrabi Something to do with cabbage can be recognized by its name and taste. However, this species differs considerably in appearance. In this cultivation form, the plant stem of the original cabbage was specifically thickened. This thickens in such a way that kohlrabi weighing several kilograms can be made.
A detailed examination of this type of cabbage can be found here: Kohlrabi in portrait.
Palm cabbage / black cabbage
For the type of cabbage, known in English as kale, the goal of breeding was on the leaves. These are particularly delicate in taste. Although these are slightly reminiscent of kale, the taste is milder and more diverse. Palm kale is grown particularly in the USA and Italy.
A detailed examination of this type of cabbage can be found here: Palm kale in portrait.
cauliflower
Until today cauliflower it was a long way. Here, the flower clusters were specifically selected from the original cabbage. Today cauliflower is one of the most popular vegetables in Germany. Because cauliflower is considered particularly digestible and easy to digest.
A detailed examination of this type of cabbage can be found here: the Portrait of cauliflower.
Head cabbage (white, red cabbage and savoy cabbage)
With these very closely related types of cabbage, the focus of breeding was on the terminal bud. While this is only a few grams in the case of original cabbage, a head of white cabbage can weigh over 10 kilograms.
A detailed look at these types of cabbage can be found here: White cabbage, Red cabbage and savoy in portrait.