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Cauliflower has gained widespread popularity in recent years. One of the best examples is cauliflower rice, an alternative to traditional white rice. It is all the rage these days. It's a low-carb, grain-free substitute made solely from cauliflower. Even though this cruciferous vegetable is gaining popularity, some people still appear confused about it. Is cauliflower man-made? Where did cauliflower come from, and is it safe to consume genetically modified food? How cauliflower was invented, by whom, and where it first appeared are all questions we'll attempt to answer in this article. Follow along as the facts are unveiled.
The ancestry and family tree of cauliflower
Cauliflower originates from the Brassica Oleracea family of vegetables. Other vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, and kohlrabi, are included here as well. Wild cabbage, or Brassica Oleracea, is the actual ancestor of these domesticated varieties.
Is cauliflower a man-made vegetable?
Whether you like it or not, cauliflower is man-made or results from genetic engineering. The history of cauliflower tells that it is a hybrid developed by humans through a long process of selective breeding.
A freshly grown cauliflower, Image Source: iStock
This procedure required human intervention in the form of cross-breeding or utilising different portions of the Brassica Oleracea plant to create new plant species. Brassica Oleracea's flower clusters were used to make cauliflower. Because of the hard work of farmers over many centuries, cauliflower, the man-made vegetable, is now available in its modern form.
How does selective breeding work?
In the process of selective breeding, humans actively choose specific qualities that they deem to be advantageous. Selective breeding has been applied on both flora and fauna. The goal is to have genetically endowed offspring with desired characteristics. Several types of food crops have been treated this way for generations. And the results are hybrid or genetically engineered edibles. Vegetables and fruits produce like orange carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower are some of the outcomes.
Cauliflower's origin and history
Brassica oleracea is the original ancestor of cauliflower. The Journal of Archaeological Science presented a paper claiming that B. oleracea has been in use in Austria since at least 4500 BC. Three seeds from the Middle Bronze Age have been found, as reported in a journal article (2005).
Scholars in Greece between the years 2500 and 2000 B.P. referred to Brassica Oleracea in their writings. It appears that cauliflowers were first brought to Europe from the Levant or Cyprus towards the tail end of the fifteenth century. The earliest record of cauliflower dates back to 1748. It isn't easy to prove, but the Romans may have been among the first to cultivate cauliflower.
White cauliflowers, Image Source: Pexels
In the early 1900s, cauliflower began to appear on American dinner tables. However, new types weren't developed until the 1920s, when there was a significant influx of Europeans (especially Italians). There are hundreds of different kinds of cauliflower, yet they may be grouped into just four broad categories.
The arrival of cauliflower in India
For the first time, cauliflower seeds were planted in Indian soil in 1822. Although Indian cuisine may boast about aloo gobi, phulkopir dalna, and gobi paratha, the vegetable in question is not indigenous to the country. Dr Jemson, the Kew botanist in charge of the Company Gardens in Saharanpur, is credited with bringing cauliflower to India. From that point on, the cauliflower began to grow as a favoured vegetable in the country. Isn't that a fascinating history of cauliflower?
Cauliflower might be man-made, but it has become a globally beloved vegetable in recent years. It can be found in a wide range of shades and sizes and is cultivated in a vast number of nations.
