We continue to talk about the plants growing in the beds of the Red Garden.

Today is our story about cabbage. Cabbage is usually represented under this name. For botanists, cabbage Brassica oleracea L is an aggregate species that combines several varieties: kohlrabi, broccoli, cabbage, leaf, Brussels sprouts, Savoy, and others. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.). This is how the name of the well-known biennial vegetable plant of the Cruciferous family sounds in the language of scientists.

The Latin name of the plant comes from: according to one version – from the Celtic name of cabbage “bresic”, which means “to cook”, according to the other – from the Greek verb “brasso” – to crackle, crunch, from the sound of breaking off cabbage leaves. There are also different opinions about the origin of the Russian name “cabbage”. Some believe that this name comes from the Latin “caput” – head, for the shape of a head of cabbage. Others believe that the word “composta” means a mixture, compote, compost. Among the ancient Romans, this word meant “folded greenery”.

The primitive man began to eat the leaves of the wild ancestor of cabbage as soon as he appeared in Europe. It is believed that cabbage was introduced to the agricultural crop in the Mediterranean islands. In ancient times, this vegetable spread throughout the Mediterranean countries. In ancient Greece in the VI-III century BC. e. cultivated three forms of kale. Cabbage first appears in the gardens of the Roman Empire. In medieval Europe, cabbage was a very popular vegetable plant, besides cabbage, other varieties were grown. Cabbage appeared on the territory of Russia in the 4th century BC. e. with Greek settlers who founded colonies along the entire Black Sea coast. The local population also got acquainted with cabbage from the colonialists. In Kievan Rus, the culture of cabbage cultivation was at a very high level, which is confirmed by the long cultivation of this vegetable. In Russia, cabbage is the main vegetable crop.
Cabbage is used not only as food, but also as a medicinal plant.

Interesting information:
Archaeologists have found cabbage seeds in the remains of piles at Robenhausen, dating from the early Stone Age.

The ancient Greeks considered cabbage as a remedy for intoxication. “Eat cabbage before drinking – you won’t get drunk, eat after – you will disperse the hops” – written in a Greek treatise.
In medieval France, cabbage was so prized that young men affectionately called their beloved “mon chou chou” literally translated “my cabbage”. Nowadays, this tender appeal to a loved one is usually translated as “dear, sweet, sweet”.

In the treatise “Capitulary on estates” of the 9th century, two varieties of cabbage are recommended for cultivation in vegetable gardens: “ravacaula” (kohlrabi) and “caulus” (cabbage).

In Kievan Rus, cabbage was used for burns, bruises, and extreme heat.
The famous navigator James Cook said: “Sauerkraut expels disease from the body. It is a means that saves the lives of my sailors.”

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