Kale: Origin, Origin and Synonyms

Kale has been grown for centuries. We will inform you about the origin, the origin and the history of this healthy vegetable.

Of the Kale originates as well as some others Types of cabbage from the "Urkohl“, The origin of which stretches along the coastal areas around the Mediterranean to Asia Minor. Most of the descendants of this ancient, native variety have spread around the world, but kale has become a specialty in a few regions. Nowadays it is mainly cultivated and valued in Great Britain, the Scandinavian countries, Holland and also in northern Germany. But it is also partly planted in northern America and in eastern and western areas of Africa. There are several theories about the age of this type of cabbage. What is certain is that it was possible to determine from tradition as early as 400 BC that a type of cabbage with curly foliage was known at the time. Even among the Romans, the so-called Sabellinian cabbage was mentioned again and again and even then it was cultivated on a large scale. Findings and records confirm that this cabbage is probably the predecessor of the kale we know today with the This type of cabbage has a special characteristic of thriving and being very rich in vitamins, especially in the cold season valuable.

The kale and its regional popularity

The vitamin-rich winter vegetables are a real representative of northern German cuisine, especially during the cold winter months. From around October to March, fresh kale can always be purchased, which has primarily grown on German acreage. There is still a disagreement between Bremen and Oldenburg as to who can now call kale a special city specialty in its own right. The plus point here is clearly on the Bremen side, because public and communal kale consumption has been carried out there every year since 1545. The largest area of ​​cabbage cultivation in Europe is in the Dithmarschen area in northern Germany. Not only does the kale grow here, but also many other types of cabbage are traditionally planted in this region. Probably the most famous dish from this area is kale with pee, i.e. kale with a coarse-grained grützwurst.

The regional names of kale and its close relative

The kale has received a wide variety of names over time due to its distribution in different areas. It is known as kale, slotted cabbage, kale, winter cabbage, leaf kale, but also popularly known as the Oldenburg palm or Frisian. The correct name in the botanical sense is Brassica oleracea convar. acéphala var. sabéllica. A close relative is cultivated in Italy, namely the black cabbage (Cavalo nero). There are a few small differences in color and leaf shape, but in taste and preparation the two can hardly be distinguished. The kale feels very comfortable in German hobby gardens and can be grown quite easily. So you can bring fresh green from your own garden to your plate over the winter.