If you thought that there is only one variety of cabbage, you are very wrong, since there are many types of cabbage, of which we will let you know some so that you can increase the variety in your garden and in your food.
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Information of interest about cabbage
Cabbage is native to Europe and belongs to the Brassica oleracea family of edible plants, which is known for its high content of calcium, mineral salts, potassium, vitamins A, C and K, mucilage and sulfur compounds that give it that characteristic smell at the moment of cooking.
It is also considered that cabbage contains antioxidant and anticancer properties, which is why they are highly recommended in your diet.
As well as being a very healthy leafy vegetable, it is also quite varied in color, texture, and flavor. For example, you can find curly or smooth cabbage, with a mild or spicy flavor, you can eat it raw or cooked.
And as if that were not enough, in diets to lose weight, the consumption of different types of cabbage is recommended due to its high content of water and fiber, which provides very few calories.
Rather, this vegetable is super versatile in the kitchen because in addition to obtaining all its healthy benefits, you can prepare different recipes every day and surprise your family.
Cabbage cultivation
The cultivation of any of the types of cabbage is relatively simple, it is produced very quickly and especially if it is grown in the cold season, although depending on the variety, it can be grown all year round.
These types of crops do best when they are exposed to direct light and in a soil with a large amount of organic matter and abundant nitrogen since they are very demanding crops in terms of nutrients.
Keep in mind that the organic matter must be well decomposed, otherwise it can spoil the plant.
When the seedlings are newly planted, frequent watering should be done, although without flooding the plant, then it can be watered once a week.
It is recommended to first make the seedbed and then transplant the seedlings when they are a little larger (approximately 13 cm), since this small is very vulnerable to slugs, snails and other garden animals.
The types of cabbage and their names
Next we will tell you about some types of cabbage and their names so that you recognize them, encourage you to try them and enjoy their benefits.
Kale
This variety or types of kale are quite common, especially in vegan or detox diets. Like the other types of cabbage, they are high in minerals and low in calories.
Broccoli
This type of cabbage is very strong to counteract oxidative processes in the body, it is anticancer and has a high nutritional value.
It can be consumed in salads, preferably with a cooking time of 1 minute and a thermal bath so that it does not lose its nutritional properties or its color.
Cabbage
This type of cabbage is a closed and dense bud, which is why it stays fresh for much longer.
It can be consumed raw in salads, cooked or in fermented and/or vinegar preserves.
Red cabbage or purple cabbage
This variety is one of the types of purple cabbage that contains the most antioxidants. It is very similar in shape to cabbage although its leaves are slightly thicker. It can also be consumed raw in a salad or fermented and goes very well in sweet and sour preparations.
Brussels sprouts
This variety of cabbage has the shape of small sprouts that grow along the trunk of the plant, they are generally green although purple ones are also available.
This variety of cabbage is the one that contains the most iodine.
Some nutritionists indicate that this is the variety of cabbage that contains more calories, however, do not stop consuming them for the rest of their properties.
They can be consumed steamed accompanied by a good fish, or in stews and combined with other vegetables.
There are many other types of cabbage that we have not described in detail but you could consult more information about it. Some other types of cabbage include romanesco, cauliflower, collard greens, pak choi, Chinese cabbage, Chinese broccoli, mizuna, komatsuna mizuna, and some other varieties.
Some drawbacks of eating too much cabbage
As we have seen, there are many benefits that cabbage brings to our body, however its excessive consumption has some effects that can affect people if they have certain health conditions. For example:
If you are an anticoagulated person, you should avoid eating cabbage as its high content of vitamin K inhibits the effect of anticoagulants.
If you have iodine deficiency or thyroid problems you should avoid their consumption as they inhibit the absorption of iodine and can further affect your thyroid.
As you may have realized, there are many varieties or types of cabbage that exist and that you can easily grow and incorporate into your diet to add variety and nutrition.