What is the origin of the word kohlrabi?
The word kohlrabi enters English from a German compound that joins cabbage and turnip. Mattioli described the vegetable in 1554 as having come lately into Italy, yet its name already carried a dual identity.
Questions about Kohlrabi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did kohlrabi become cultivated across Europe?
By the end of the 16th century, growers cultivated it across Austria, Germany, England, Spain, and parts of the eastern Mediterranean including Tripoli. Farmers in Switzerland used Rübe to describe the turnip-like quality of the plant before the term spread through trade routes.
How long does it take for kohlrabi to mature after sowing?
The plant matures within 55 to 60 days after sowing under normal conditions. Hydroponic systems now allow large edible bulk production without clogging nutrient troughs during this growth period.
What are the nutritional facts for raw kohlrabi?
Raw kohlrabi contains 91 percent water by weight according to standard nutritional tables. A typical serving provides 27 calories with six percent carbohydrates and two percent protein while Vitamin C levels reach 65 percent of the Daily Value.
Which varieties of kohlrabi grow specifically for cattle feed or leaves only?
Some varieties grow specifically for cattle feed rather than human consumption. One variety called Haakh grows without a swollen stem, producing only leaves and a very thin stalk.