SafePlants

Brussels Sprout: The Miniature Cabbage with a Big Flavor

The Brussels sprout, often relegated to the Christmas dinner table, is making a comeback! Once dreaded, this leafy green vegetable is now celebrated for its versatility and potential health benefits. This mini-cabbage offers a unique sweet, nutty flavor that can transform any meal.

Considerations for Children:

• The sprouts themselves are small and round, typically 2.5-4 cm (0.98-1.6 in) in diameter.

Scientific Name and Common Names:

• Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea
• Common Name: Brussels sprout

Taxonomy and Nomenclature:

• The Brussels sprout belongs to the Gemmifera Group of cabbages.
• Kingdom: (Implied) Plant
• Family: Brassicaceae (Implied)

Distribution and Habitat:

• Brussels sprouts are thought to have been cultivated in Belgium as early as the 16th century, hence the name.
• They are believed to have been cultivated in Italy in Roman times, and possibly as early as the 1200s in Belgium.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits:

• The edible buds are leafy green vegetables, typically 2.5–4 cm (0.98–1.6 in) in diameter, resembling miniature cabbages.
• Brussels sprouts grow on a large stalk, like miniature versions of common cabbage.
• Brussels sprout is a hardy, slow-growing, long-season vegetable belonging to the cabbage family.

Health Benefits:

• Brussels sprouts are known for their ability to enhance DNA repair in cells and help block the continued growth of cancer cells.
• The fiber-related components in Brussels sprouts bind together with bile acids in the digestive tract, especially when steamed.

Quirky Facts:

• A primary school is trying to identify a child who keeps smuggling unwanted cooked Brussels sprouts in and planting them in other pupil's gardens.