They might be small, but fresh Brussels sprouts deliver big flavor and plenty of nutritional goodness.
They also serve up an amazing number of fun facts that every vegetable lover should know.
Here’s a list of our favorite things about these round, leafy wonders.
A Brief History of Brussels Sprouts
1. They really are named after Brussels, the capital of Belgium, where they became a popular crop by the 16th century.
2. Although named after the Belgian city, the ancestors of modern sprouts were grown in the Mediterranean region and may have been consumed by the ancient Romans.
3. In the 13th century, the Brussels sprouts we know and love today were first cultivated in Flanders, an area that is now part of modern-day Belgium.
4. The Brussels sprout was introduced to North America by 18th century French settlers in Louisiana.
5. By the early 1900s, the little vegetable became an established commercial crop in California.
The State of the Sprouts Today
6. The U.S. produces 70 million pounds of sprouts each year.
7. California’s fertile fields produce more Brussels sprouts than any other state.
8. Cool temperatures enhance the flavor of Brussels sprouts, so they're at their best when harvested in the fall and early winter.
9. Sprouts grow along thick stalks, and one stalk can produce 60 to 100 sprouts.
10. Some supermarkets sell sprouts that are still attached to the stalks, which helps to preserve their moisture and freshness.
11. There are over two dozen varieties of Brussels sprouts, including Catskill, Dagan, Gustus, Churchill, Ruby Crunch, and Diablo.
12. If you remember Brussels sprouts tasting more bitter as a child, you're not wrong! In the 1990s, farmers began cross-breeding different varieties of sprouts to grow tastier plants.
Why Do Brussels Sprouts Look Like That?
13. The smallest Brussels sprouts are marble-sized morsels while larger varieties are as big as golf balls.
14. They look like mini cabbages because they’re members of the same cruciferous vegetable family.
15. Colorful purple sprouts are the result of a hybrid developed from purple cabbage in the 1940s.
16. The best Brussels sprouts sport tightly wrapped leaves, a bright green color and firm stems.
The Nutritional Value of Brussels Sprouts
17. Weighing in at just 38 calories per cup, Brussels sprouts are a delicious and nutritious diet food choice.
18. Just one cup of raw Brussels sprouts offers over 3 grams of fiber and about 3 grams of protein.
19. One 80-gram serving of these healthy veggies delivers four times more vitamin C than an orange.
20. The sulforaphane that gives Brussels sprouts their unique flavor also helps lower cancer risks.
21. Brussels sprouts contain zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that’s considered important to eye health.
22. Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health and blood clotting.
23. Steam-cooking fresh Brussels sprouts actually enhances their cholesterol-lowering powers.
24. Recent reports hint at upcoming scientific evidence that the small veggies give a big boost to libidos.
How to Store and Cook Delicious Brussels Sprouts
25. Brussels sprouts stay fresh in a plastic bag in the refrigerator vegetable drawer for as long as 10 days.
26. One cup holds an average of five Brussels sprouts, and they steam up in just six to eight minutes.
27. Carving an X in the bottom of stems before steaming helps sprouts cook more evenly.
28. Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out a sweet, nutty flavor, but boiling them can make them taste bitter.
29. A sulfur-like smell is a sure sign that Brussels sprouts have been overcooked.
30. Once steam-cooked sprouts cool down, they can be bagged and stored in the freezer for up to a year.
31. This versatile veggie tastes great grilled, stir-fried or roasted, and its size makes it a perfect snack food.
32. You can eat any part of the Brussels sprout plant, including its leaves.
Trivia and Fun Facts
33. Wayne Sherlock made a meal of 33 Brussels sprouts in just one minute, beating the previous world record of 31 sprouts set by Linus Urbanect.
34. In 2014, competitive eater Emma Dalton ate 325 Brussels sprouts in 36 minutes. Although Guinness World Records didn't officially confirm her record, this is the largest known quantity of sprouts consumed in one sitting.
35. Bernard Lavery of the United Kingdom cultivated a sprout that weighed more than 18 pounds.
36. The British are particularly fond of Brussels sprouts, celebrating Eat Brussels Sprouts Day every year on January 31.
37. The little veggies supplied enough power to light up a Christmas tree on London’s Southbank in 2013.
A Small Veggie Full of Surprises
From Ancient Rome to modern day, Brussels sprouts have offered us their nutritional goodness.
Now that you know more about this wonderful veggie, we hope that each delicious bite tastes even better.
As a leading California produce grower, it’s always our pleasure at Hitchcock Farms to share fun facts about your favorite fresh produce.
