Difference between revisions of "Brussels sprout" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox Cultivar | name = Brussels sprout
 
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'''Brussels sprout''' (plural Brussels sprouts) is the common name for a cultivar group, ''[[Brassica oleracea]]'' Gemmifera Group, of the wild cabbage (''B. oleracea'') of the mustard family Brassicaceae (or Cruciferae). Also known as ''Brassica oleracea'' var ''gemmifera'', this plant is a cool season biennial, with simple, alternate [[leaves]] and [[flower]]s borne in terminal racemes (Mills 2001). The term Brussels sprouts also is used for the long, edible, cabbagelike buds of these plants— modified leaves that form in the leaf axils along the stems and are popular food items. This plant also is known as '''brussels sprout''' (without the capital B) and '''brussel sprout'''.  
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'''Brussels sprout''' (plural Brussels sprouts), also known as '''brussels sprout''' (without the capital B) and '''brussel sprout,''' is the common name for a [[cultivar group]], ''[[Brassica oleracea]]'' Gemmifera Group, of the wild cabbage ''(B. oleracea)'' of the mustard family Brassicaceae (or Cruciferae). Also known as ''Brassica oleracea'' var ''gemmifera,'' this plant is a cool season biennial, with simple, alternate [[leaves]], [[flower]]s borne in terminal racemes, and axillary buds that develop along the stem into small, cabbage-like heads (Mills 2001). The term Brussels sprouts also is used for these edible, leafy, green buds, which are popular food items.  
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{{toc}}
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Breeding work, primarily spearheaded in Europe, has resulted in diverse [[cultivar]]s of Brussels sprouts, selected for such qualities as uniformity of sprout growth, vigor, sprout size, and disease resistance (Mills 2001). In addition to offering a unique flavor, Brussels sprouts offer a good source of [[nutrition]].
  
 
==Overview and history==
 
==Overview and history==
Brussels sprout (''Brassica oleracea,'' Gemmifera Group, or ''Brassica oleeracea'' var ''gemmifera'') is one of several [[cultivar]]s of wild cabbage, ''Brassica oleracea'', a species of ''Brassica'' native to coastal southern and western [[Europe]]. The cultivars of ''B. oleracea'' are grouped by developmental form into seven major cultivar groups: *''Brassica oleracea'' [[Acephala Group]]* - [[kale]] and [[collard greens]] (borekale)
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Brussels sprout (''Brassica oleracea,'' Gemmifera Group) is one of several [[cultivar]]s of wild cabbage, ''Brassica oleracea'', a species of ''Brassica'' native to coastal southern and western [[Europe]]. The cultivars of ''B. oleracea'' are grouped by developmental form into seven major cultivar groups:
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Alboglabra Group]]* - [[kai-lan]]* (Chinese broccoli)
+
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Acephala Group]]--[[kale]] and [[collard greens]] (borekale)
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Botrytis Group]]* - [[cauliflower]] (and Chou Romanesco)  
+
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Alboglabra Group]]--[[kai-lan]] (Chinese broccoli)
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Capitata Group]]* - [[cabbage]]  
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*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Botrytis Group]]--[[cauliflower]] (and Chou Romanesco)  
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Gemmifera Group]]* - [[Brussels sprout]]s  
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*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Capitata Group]]--[[cabbage]]  
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Gongylodes Group]]* - [[kohlrabi]]  
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*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Gemmifera Group]]--[[Brussels sprout]]s  
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Italica Group]]* - [[broccoli]]
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*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Gongylodes Group]]--[[kohlrabi]]  
 +
*''Brassica oleracea'' [[Italica Group]]--[[broccoli]]
  
Forerunners to modern Brussels sprouts were likely cultivated in [[Ancient Rome]] and possibly as early as the 1200s in Belgium (Pfyffer 2004). The first written description of Brussels sprouts was in 1587 (Folsom 2005). Brussels sprouts were popularly cultivated as a vegetable crop in 16th century [[Belgium]] and spread from there to other countries in temperate Europe (Mills 2001). ''Brassica oleracea'' var ''gemmifera'' is believed to have originated from a [[mutation]] from the savoy cabbage, ''B. oleracea capitata'' l. ''sabuda'' subgroup (Mills 2001).
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Forerunners to modern Brussels sprouts were likely cultivated in [[Ancient Rome]] and possibly as early as the 1200s, in Belgium (Pfyffer 2004). The first written description of Brussels sprouts was in 1587 (Folsom 2005). Brussels sprouts were popularly cultivated as a vegetable crop in sixteenth century [[Belgium]] and spread from there to other countries in temperate Europe (Mills 2001). ''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''gemmifera'' is believed to have originated from a [[mutation]] from the savoy cabbage, ''B. oleracea capitata, L. sabuda'' subgroup (Mills 2001).
  
The term ''Brussels sprout'' is a [[countable noun]] whose plural form is Brussels sprouts. A commonly used alternative form is ''brussel sprout'', whose plural is brussel sprouts. However, linking the name with the [[Belgium|Belgian]] capital of [[Brussels]] would argue against dropping the last "s" in the first word (although the Dutch name for the city is "Brussel"). Some house styles (e.g., the ''Chicago Manual of Style'') prefer to lowercase words derived from geographical names when used with a non-literal meaning; in other words, ''brussels sprouts'' rather than ''Brussels sprouts''.
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The term "Brussels sprout" is a [[countable noun]] whose plural form is Brussels sprouts. A commonly used alternative form is brussel sprout, whose plural is brussel sprouts. However, linking the name with the [[Belgium|Belgian]] capital of [[Brussels]] would argue against dropping the last "s" in the first word (although the Dutch name for the city is "Brussel"). Some house styles (for example, the ''[[Chicago Manual of Style]]'') prefer to lowercase words derived from geographical names when used with a non-literal meaning; in other words, ''brussels sprouts'' rather than ''Brussels sprouts''.
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
''Brassica olearacea'' var. ''gemmifera'' is a cool season biennial, with axillary buds produced in the leaf axils during the first year of growth and a seed head produced in the second year of growth (Mills 2001). The roots are shallow, with eighty percent of the roots growing in the upper eight to twelve inches of soil (Mills 2001). The stems are light grayish green in color, with the axillary buds produced beneath the leaves in the nodes of the elongated stem. The simple, alternate [[leaves]] are round to heart-shaped with long petioles; they are light green to deep grayish-green in color (Mills 2001).  
+
[[Image:Brussels-sprouts-on-stalk.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Stalks of Brussels sprouts]]
 +
''Brassica olearacea'' var. ''gemmifera'' is a cool season biennial, with axillary buds produced in the leaf axils during the first year of growth and a seed head produced in the second year of growth (Mills 2001). The stems are light grayish green in color, with the axillary buds produced beneath the leaves in the nodes of the elongated stem. The roots are shallow, with eighty percent of the roots growing in the upper eight to twelve inches of [[soil]] (Mills 2001). The simple, alternate [[leaves]] are round to heart-shaped with long petioles; they are light green to deep grayish-green in color (Mills 2001).  
  
 
The flowers are perfect (with male and female parts) and borne in terminal racemes (Mills 2001). Flowering is stimulated by temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for one or two months (Mills 2001). The flowers are [[insect]] [[pollination|pollinated]].  
 
The flowers are perfect (with male and female parts) and borne in terminal racemes (Mills 2001). Flowering is stimulated by temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for one or two months (Mills 2001). The flowers are [[insect]] [[pollination|pollinated]].  
  
The sprouts are modified leaves forming a cabbage-like "head" (Mills 2001). Many rows of sprouts are produced on a single long stem (Herbst 2001). These leafy green buds resemble miniature cabbages, with forms popular for food raning from 1/2 inch in diameter to 2 inches in diameter.
+
The sprouts are modified leaves forming a cabbage-like "head" (Mills 2001). Many rows of sprouts are produced on a single long stem (Herbst 2001). These leafy green buds resemble miniature cabbages, with forms popular for food ranging from 1/2 inch in diameter to 2 inches in diameter.
 +
 
 +
Among the many [[cultivar]]s created are such popular types as "Catskill" (or "Long Island Improved," a dwarf variety with medium sprout size), "Jade Cross" (compact variety with medium size sprouts), "Early Morn Dwarf Improved" (dwarf variety), "Breda" (taller, earlier cultivar type), and "Red Vein" (later maturing, more hardy cultivar).
  
 
== Cultivation ==
 
== Cultivation ==
Two main cultivated types of Brussels sprouts are a tall variety, which stands 2 to 4 feet tall, and a short variety, which grows to a maximum of 2 feet (Mills 2001).  
+
Two main cultivated types of brussels sprouts are a tall variety, which stands 2 to 4 feet tall, and a short variety, which grows to a maximum of 2 feet (Mills 2001).  
  
Brussels sprouts grow in temperature ranges of 7 to 24°C (45 to 75°F), with highest yields at 15 to 18°C (60 to 65°F) (Mills 2001). Plants grow from seeds in [[seed bed]]s or [[greenhouse]]s, and are transplanted to growing fields (Mills 2001). Fields are ready for harvest 90-180 days after planting (Pfyffer 2004). The edible sprouts grow like buds in a spiral array on the side of long thick stalks of approximately 2-4 feet in height, maturing over several weeks from the lower to the upper part of the stalk. Sprouts may be picked by hand into baskets, in which case several harvests are made of 5-15 sprouts at a time, by cutting the entire stalk at once for processing, or by mechanical harvester, depending on variety (Pfyffer 2004). Each stalk can produce 1.1 to 1.4 kg (2 1/2 to 3 pounds), although the commercial yield is approximately 0.9kg (2 pounds) per stalk (Mills 2001).
+
[[Image:BrusselsSproutField200503_CopyrightKaihsuTai.jpg|thumb|left|240px|A field of Brussels sprouts after harvest]]
 +
Brussels sprouts grow in temperature ranges of 7 to 24°C (45 to 75°F), with highest yields at 15 to 18°C (60 to 65°F) (Mills 2001). In commercial productions, plants grow from seeds in [[seed bed]]s or [[greenhouse]]s, and are transplanted to growing fields (Mills 2001). Fields are ready for harvest 90-180 days after planting (Pfyffer 2004). The edible sprouts grow like buds in a spiral array on the side of long thick stalks of approximately 2 to 4 feet in height, maturing over several weeks from the lower to the upper part of the stalk. Sprouts may be picked by hand into baskets, in which case several harvests are made of 5 to 15 sprouts at a time, by cutting the entire stalk at once for processing, or by mechanical harvester, depending on variety (Pfyffer 2004). Each stalk can produce 1.1 to 1.4 kilograms (2 1/2 to 3 pounds), although the commercial yield is approximately 0.9 kilograms (2 pounds) per stalk (Mills 2001).
  
Mills (2001) reports that Europeans prefer smaller sprouts about 1/2 inch in diameter, while Americans prefer those 1 to 2 inches in diameter.
+
Mills (2001) reports that Europeans prefer smaller sprouts about 1/2 inch (1.3 centimeters) in diameter, while Americans prefer those 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in diameter.
  
===USA cultivation===
+
Total United States production, in 1997, was approximately 32,000 metric tons, with a value of $27 million (Mills 2001). [[Ontario, Canada]] produces somewhat less than 1,000 metric tons per year (Mailvaganam 2008). In Continental Europe, the largest producers are the [[Netherlands]], with 82,000 metric tons in 2003, and Germany, with 10,000 metric tons in 2003 (Illert 2004). England has production comparable to that of the Netherlands, but is not generally exported internationally (Illert 2004).
Production of Brussels sprouts in the United States began around 1800, when French settlers brought them to [[Louisiana]] (Mills 2001).
 
  
The first plantings in California's [[Central Coast of California| Central Coast]] began in the 1920s, with significant production beginning in the 1940s. Currently there are several thousand acres planted in [[coastal]] areas of [[San Mateo County, California| San Mateo]], [[Santa Cruz County, California| Santa Cruz]], and [[Monterey County, California| Monterey]] Counties of [[California]], which offer an ideal combination of coastal fog and cool temperatures year-round.  The harvest season lasts from June through January.<ref name="mist">{{cite web|url=http://www.oceanmist.com/html/products/brusselsprouts/bsproutgrow.aspx|accessdate=2007-09-21|publisher=Ocean Mist Farms|title=Where Brussels Sprouts are Growing Today}}</ref><ref name="bsinfo">{{cite web | url=http://www.brussels-sprouts.com/BSINFO.htm|title=Brussels sprouts info|accessdate=2007-09-21|publisher=Pfyffer Associates}}</ref>  They are also grown in [[Baja California]], where the harvest season is from December through June.<ref name="mist"/>
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Cultivation of Brussels sprouts in the United States began around 1800, when French settlers brought them to [[Louisiana]] (Mills 2001). Commercial production began in the United States in 1925 in the Louisiana delta, with the center of production moved to mid coastal California by 1939, with some production in New York State (Mills 2001). The first plantings in California's [[Central Coast of California| Central Coast]] began in the 1920s, with significant production beginning in the 1940s.  
  
Much of the United States production is in California, with a smaller percentage of the crop grown in Skagit Valley Washington, where cool springs, mild summers and rich soil abounds and to a lesser degree on [[Long Island, New York]].<ref name="ipm">{{cite web|url=http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/cabrusselssprouts.html|publisher=|accessdate=2007-09-21|title=Crop Profile for Brussels Sprouts in California|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture}}</ref>  Total United States production is approximately 32,000 tons, with a value of $27 million.<ref name="uga"/>  [[Ontario, Canada]] produces approximately 1,000 tons per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/stats/hort/veg_m01.htm|accessdate=2007-09-21|author=Siva Mailvaganam|publisher=Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs|date=2004-08-03|title=Area, Production and Farm Value ofSpecified Commercial Vegetable Crops, Ontario, 1998-2001 }}</ref>  In Continental Europe the largest producers are the [[Netherlands]], at 82,000 metric tons, and Germany, at 10,000 tons.  England has production comparable to that of the Netherlands, but is not generally exported internationally. <ref>{{cite web| title=The small market study: Brussels sprouts.  | author=|S. Illert|publisher=SMP|url=http://www.cababstractsplus.org/google/abstract.asp?AcNo=20043210961|accessdate=2007-09-21|}}</ref>
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Much of the United States' production is in California, with a smaller percentage of the crop grown in Skagit Valley, Washington, where cool springs, mild summers, and rich soil abounds and to a lesser degree on [[Long Island, New York]] (USDA 1999). Currently, there are several thousand acres planted in [[coastal]] areas of [[San Mateo County, California| San Mateo]], [[Santa Cruz County, California| Santa Cruz]], and [[Monterey County, California| Monterey]] counties of [[California]], which offer an ideal combination of coastal fog and cool temperatures year-round.  
  
80% to 85% of US production is for the [[frozen food]] market, with the remainder for fresh consumption.<ref name="ipm"/> Once harvested, sprouts last 3-5 weeks under ideal near-freezing conditions before wilting and discoloring, and about half as long at refrigerator temperature.<ref name="uga"/>.  Europeans prefer smaller varieties with bulbs approximately 1.3cm (1/2 inch) in diameter, while American varieties are 2.5 - 5cm (1-2 inches).<ref name="uga"/>
+
About 80 to 85 percent of U.S. production is for the [[frozen food]] market, with the remainder for fresh consumption (USDA 1999).
  
 
==Nutrition and uses==
 
==Nutrition and uses==
Brussels sprouts are among the same family that includes [[cabbage]], [[collard greens]], [[broccoli]], [[kale]], and [[kohlrabi]]. They contain good amounts of [[vitamin A]], [[vitamin C]], [[folic acid]] and [[dietary fibre]]. Moreover, they are believed to protect against [[colon cancer]], due to their containing [[sinigrin]]. Brussels sprouts are [[cruciferous]].
+
[[Image:BrusselsSprouts-OnVine.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Brussels sprouts on the stalk]]
 
+
Brussels sprouts are a rich source of [[vitamin A]], [[vitamin C]], [[folic acid]], and [[dietary fiber]] (Bender and Bender 2005). They also are a fair source of [[iron]] and vitamin B<sub>6</sub> (Herbst 2001; Bender and Bender 2005). Moreover, they are believed to protect against [[colon cancer]], due to them containing [[sinigrin]].  
The usual method of preparing a Brussels sprout for cooking is first to cut off the base together with any remaining stem, and then to peel away and discard the surface leaves that are loosened by this cut.  When boiling or steaming, some cooks will cut a cross in the stem to aid the penetration of heat to the center of the sprout.  In [[December 2007]], [[Ireland]]'s Food Minister [[Trevor Sargent]] described his preferred method of cooking of Brussels sprouts: placing the sprouts in a single layer in a saucepan, covering them in just enough water to cover the stalks and boiling with salt and butter until the water is absorbed.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2007-12-08|title=Food Minister Trevor Sargent promotes seasonal eating while inspecting the Brussels sprout crop for Christmas|publisher=Ireland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food|url=http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/index.jsp?file=pressrel/2007/252-2007.xml|date=2007-12-04}}</ref>  Microwaving, stir frying, roasting and steaming are also options.
 
 
 
Overcooking releases [[sulfur]] compounds in the vegetables that give it a distinctive smell commonly found unpleasant.  If correctly cooked, the unpleasant smell is avoided and the vegetable possesses a delicate nutty flavor.  
 
  
In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], Brussels sprouts are a traditional winter [[vegetable]], and are often eaten boiled with a roast dinner, particularly at [[Christmas]]. They can also be stir-fried, roasted, or made into [[soup]].
+
Once harvested, sprouts last 3 to 5 weeks under ideal near-freezing conditions before wilting and discoloring, and about half as long at refrigerator temperature (Mills 2001).  
  
==Gallery==
+
The usual method of preparing a brussels sprout for cooking is first to cut off the base together with any remaining stem, and then to peel away and discard the surface leaves that are loosened by this cut. When boiling or steaming, some cooks will cut a cross in the stem to aid the penetration of heat to the center of the sprout. In 2007, [[Ireland]]'s Food Minister [[Trevor Sargent]] described his preferred method of cooking of brussels sprouts: Placing the sprouts in a single layer in a saucepan, covering them in just enough water to cover the stalks and boiling with salt and butter until the water is absorbed (IDAFF 2007). Microwaving, stir frying, roasting, and steaming are also options.  
<gallery>
 
Image:BrusselsSproutField200503_CopyrightKaihsuTai.jpg|A field of Brussels sprouts after harvest
 
Image:BrusselsSprouts-OnVine.jpg|Brussels sprouts on the stalk
 
Image:Brussels-sprouts-on-stalk.jpg|Brussels sprouts on stalks
 
</gallery>
 
  
 +
Overcooking releases [[sulfur]] compounds in the vegetables that give it a distinctive smell commonly found unpleasant. If correctly cooked, the unpleasant smell is avoided and the vegetable possesses a delicate nutty flavor.
  
 +
In the [[United Kingdom|UK]], brussels sprouts are a traditional winter [[vegetable]], and are often eaten boiled with a roast dinner, particularly at [[Christmas]]. They can also be stir-fried, roasted, or made into [[soup]].
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
+
* Bender, D.A., and A.E. Bender. 2005. ''A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition''. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0198609612.
 
+
* Folsom, J. 2005. [http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/Timeline.html Plant trivia timeLine.] ''The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens''. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
Plant Trivia TimeLine
+
* Herbst, S.T. 2001. ''The New Food Lover's Companion: Comprehensive Definitions of Nearly 6,000 Food, Drink, and Culinary Terms. Barron's Cooking Guide''. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 0764112589.
J. Folsom, ed.
+
* Illert, S. 2004. The small market study: Brussels sprouts. ''Gemüse'' (München) 40(12): 56-58.
http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/Timeline.html
+
* Ireland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (IDAFF). 2007. [http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/index.jsp?file=pressrel/2007/252-2007.xml Food Minister Trevor Sargent promotes seasonal eating while inspecting the Brussels sprout crop for Christmas.] ''Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food''. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens
+
* Mailvaganam, S. 2008. [http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/stats/hort/veg_m01.htm Area, production and farm value of specified commercial vegetable crops, Ontario, 1998-2002.] ''Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs''. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
2005
+
* Mills, H.A. 2001. [http://www.uga.edu/vegetable/brusselsprouts.html Brussel sprouts, ''Brassica oleracea'' var ''gemmifera.''] ''University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences''. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
 
+
* Pfyffer Associates. 2004. [http://www.brussels-sprouts.com/BSINFO.htm Brussels sprouts info.] ''Pfyffer Associates''. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
 
+
* United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1999. [http://www.ipmcenters.org/cropprofiles/docs/cabrusselssprouts.html Crop profile for Brussels sprouts in California.] ''United States Department of Agriculture''. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
<ref name="uga">{{cite web |url=http://www.uga.edu/vegetable/brusselsprouts.html|publisher=University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences|accessdate=2007-09-21|title=Brussels Sprouts}}
+
BRUSSEL SPROUTS
 
Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
 
Mills, H. A. 2001
 
University of GEorgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
 
 
 
 
 
</ref> 
 
 
 
 
 
== External links ==
 
*[http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QBE_QUERY&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.prota.org%2Fsearch.htm&TN=PROTAB~1&QB0=AND&QF0=Species+Code&QI0=Brassica+oleracea+Brussels+sprouts&RF=Webdisplay PROTAbase on ''Brassica oleracea (Brussels sprouts)'']
 
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Brassica+oleracea+gemmifera ''Brassica oleracea gemmifera''] - Plants For a Future database entry
 
* [http://www.brussels-sprouts.com/BSINFO.htm Brussels Sprouts Info] - history, nutrition, cultivation, varieties
 
* [http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/produce/producefacts/Veg/brussels_sp.shtml Brussels Sprouts] - recommendations for maintaining postharvest quality (UC Davis)
 
* [http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/487/0.shtml Brussels Sprouts Recipes] - a long list illustrating the culinary possibilities
 
 
 
{{Commons|Brassica oleracea}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]

Latest revision as of 16:48, 22 November 2023

Brussels sprout
Brussels sprouts, cultivar unknown
Species
Brassica oleracea
Cultivar group
Gemmifera Group
Origin
Brussels, year unknown
Cultivar Group members
unknown

Brussels sprout (plural Brussels sprouts), also known as brussels sprout (without the capital B) and brussel sprout, is the common name for a cultivar group, Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group, of the wild cabbage (B. oleracea) of the mustard family Brassicaceae (or Cruciferae). Also known as Brassica oleracea var gemmifera, this plant is a cool season biennial, with simple, alternate leaves, flowers borne in terminal racemes, and axillary buds that develop along the stem into small, cabbage-like heads (Mills 2001). The term Brussels sprouts also is used for these edible, leafy, green buds, which are popular food items.

Breeding work, primarily spearheaded in Europe, has resulted in diverse cultivars of Brussels sprouts, selected for such qualities as uniformity of sprout growth, vigor, sprout size, and disease resistance (Mills 2001). In addition to offering a unique flavor, Brussels sprouts offer a good source of nutrition.

Overview and history

Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea, Gemmifera Group) is one of several cultivars of wild cabbage, Brassica oleracea, a species of Brassica native to coastal southern and western Europe. The cultivars of B. oleracea are grouped by developmental form into seven major cultivar groups:

  • Brassica oleracea Acephala Group—kale and collard greens (borekale)
  • Brassica oleracea Alboglabra Group—kai-lan (Chinese broccoli)
  • Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group—cauliflower (and Chou Romanesco)
  • Brassica oleracea Capitata Group—cabbage
  • Brassica oleracea Gemmifera Group—Brussels sprouts
  • Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Group—kohlrabi
  • Brassica oleracea Italica Group—broccoli

Forerunners to modern Brussels sprouts were likely cultivated in Ancient Rome and possibly as early as the 1200s, in Belgium (Pfyffer 2004). The first written description of Brussels sprouts was in 1587 (Folsom 2005). Brussels sprouts were popularly cultivated as a vegetable crop in sixteenth century Belgium and spread from there to other countries in temperate Europe (Mills 2001). Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera is believed to have originated from a mutation from the savoy cabbage, B. oleracea capitata, L. sabuda subgroup (Mills 2001).

The term "Brussels sprout" is a countable noun whose plural form is Brussels sprouts. A commonly used alternative form is brussel sprout, whose plural is brussel sprouts. However, linking the name with the Belgian capital of Brussels would argue against dropping the last "s" in the first word (although the Dutch name for the city is "Brussel"). Some house styles (for example, the Chicago Manual of Style) prefer to lowercase words derived from geographical names when used with a non-literal meaning; in other words, brussels sprouts rather than Brussels sprouts.

Description

Stalks of Brussels sprouts

Brassica olearacea var. gemmifera is a cool season biennial, with axillary buds produced in the leaf axils during the first year of growth and a seed head produced in the second year of growth (Mills 2001). The stems are light grayish green in color, with the axillary buds produced beneath the leaves in the nodes of the elongated stem. The roots are shallow, with eighty percent of the roots growing in the upper eight to twelve inches of soil (Mills 2001). The simple, alternate leaves are round to heart-shaped with long petioles; they are light green to deep grayish-green in color (Mills 2001).

The flowers are perfect (with male and female parts) and borne in terminal racemes (Mills 2001). Flowering is stimulated by temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for one or two months (Mills 2001). The flowers are insect pollinated.

The sprouts are modified leaves forming a cabbage-like "head" (Mills 2001). Many rows of sprouts are produced on a single long stem (Herbst 2001). These leafy green buds resemble miniature cabbages, with forms popular for food ranging from 1/2 inch in diameter to 2 inches in diameter.

Among the many cultivars created are such popular types as "Catskill" (or "Long Island Improved," a dwarf variety with medium sprout size), "Jade Cross" (compact variety with medium size sprouts), "Early Morn Dwarf Improved" (dwarf variety), "Breda" (taller, earlier cultivar type), and "Red Vein" (later maturing, more hardy cultivar).

Cultivation

Two main cultivated types of brussels sprouts are a tall variety, which stands 2 to 4 feet tall, and a short variety, which grows to a maximum of 2 feet (Mills 2001).

A field of Brussels sprouts after harvest

Brussels sprouts grow in temperature ranges of 7 to 24°C (45 to 75°F), with highest yields at 15 to 18°C (60 to 65°F) (Mills 2001). In commercial productions, plants grow from seeds in seed beds or greenhouses, and are transplanted to growing fields (Mills 2001). Fields are ready for harvest 90-180 days after planting (Pfyffer 2004). The edible sprouts grow like buds in a spiral array on the side of long thick stalks of approximately 2 to 4 feet in height, maturing over several weeks from the lower to the upper part of the stalk. Sprouts may be picked by hand into baskets, in which case several harvests are made of 5 to 15 sprouts at a time, by cutting the entire stalk at once for processing, or by mechanical harvester, depending on variety (Pfyffer 2004). Each stalk can produce 1.1 to 1.4 kilograms (2 1/2 to 3 pounds), although the commercial yield is approximately 0.9 kilograms (2 pounds) per stalk (Mills 2001).

Mills (2001) reports that Europeans prefer smaller sprouts about 1/2 inch (1.3 centimeters) in diameter, while Americans prefer those 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in diameter.

Total United States production, in 1997, was approximately 32,000 metric tons, with a value of $27 million (Mills 2001). Ontario, Canada produces somewhat less than 1,000 metric tons per year (Mailvaganam 2008). In Continental Europe, the largest producers are the Netherlands, with 82,000 metric tons in 2003, and Germany, with 10,000 metric tons in 2003 (Illert 2004). England has production comparable to that of the Netherlands, but is not generally exported internationally (Illert 2004).

Cultivation of Brussels sprouts in the United States began around 1800, when French settlers brought them to Louisiana (Mills 2001). Commercial production began in the United States in 1925 in the Louisiana delta, with the center of production moved to mid coastal California by 1939, with some production in New York State (Mills 2001). The first plantings in California's Central Coast began in the 1920s, with significant production beginning in the 1940s.

Much of the United States' production is in California, with a smaller percentage of the crop grown in Skagit Valley, Washington, where cool springs, mild summers, and rich soil abounds and to a lesser degree on Long Island, New York (USDA 1999). Currently, there are several thousand acres planted in coastal areas of San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey counties of California, which offer an ideal combination of coastal fog and cool temperatures year-round.

About 80 to 85 percent of U.S. production is for the frozen food market, with the remainder for fresh consumption (USDA 1999).

Nutrition and uses

Brussels sprouts on the stalk

Brussels sprouts are a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and dietary fiber (Bender and Bender 2005). They also are a fair source of iron and vitamin B6 (Herbst 2001; Bender and Bender 2005). Moreover, they are believed to protect against colon cancer, due to them containing sinigrin.

Once harvested, sprouts last 3 to 5 weeks under ideal near-freezing conditions before wilting and discoloring, and about half as long at refrigerator temperature (Mills 2001).

The usual method of preparing a brussels sprout for cooking is first to cut off the base together with any remaining stem, and then to peel away and discard the surface leaves that are loosened by this cut. When boiling or steaming, some cooks will cut a cross in the stem to aid the penetration of heat to the center of the sprout. In 2007, Ireland's Food Minister Trevor Sargent described his preferred method of cooking of brussels sprouts: Placing the sprouts in a single layer in a saucepan, covering them in just enough water to cover the stalks and boiling with salt and butter until the water is absorbed (IDAFF 2007). Microwaving, stir frying, roasting, and steaming are also options.

Overcooking releases sulfur compounds in the vegetables that give it a distinctive smell commonly found unpleasant. If correctly cooked, the unpleasant smell is avoided and the vegetable possesses a delicate nutty flavor.

In the UK, brussels sprouts are a traditional winter vegetable, and are often eaten boiled with a roast dinner, particularly at Christmas. They can also be stir-fried, roasted, or made into soup.

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