The scientific name for cabbage is Brassica oleracea var. capitata, also known as headed cabbage, common cabbage, or Chinese cabbage. It belongs to the cabbage family. Cabbage has a fresh, crisp flavor and is available year-round, making it one of the major vegetable varieties.
Cabbage is native to the Mediterranean coast and evolved from wild, non-heading cabbage. Heading cabbage first appeared in Europe in the 13th century and was introduced to China in the 16th century. Cabbage holds a high status in foreign countries, much like Chinese cabbage does in China.
【How to Choose】
Regardless of the season or variety, always choose a cabbage with a firm, dense head.
【Storage】
Store cabbage in the vegetable crisper drawer of your refrigerator, and it can last for about a week.
【Nutritional Value】
Cabbage is rich in nutrients and can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a delicious taste and many benefits. Cabbage is very high in vitamin C, containing twice as much as Chinese cabbage. Additionally, another advantage of cabbage is that it is rich in folic acid. Cabbage contains various essential amino acids for the human body, as well as vitamin U, carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, and proteins, fats, potassium, calcium, and more. According to analysis, every 100 grams of cabbage contains 1.1 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 3.4 grams of carbohydrates, 0.5 grams of crude fiber, 32 milligrams of calcium, and 41 milligrams of vitamin C.
【Medicinal Benefits】
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cabbage is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and is non-toxic. It has effects such as nourishing the marrow, benefiting the joints, strengthening bones and muscles, benefiting the five organs, regulating the six fu-organs, and clearing heat and relieving pain.
1. Fresh cabbage contains phytoncides, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It can be helpful for sore throats, swelling from injuries, insect bites, stomachaches, and toothaches.
2. Cabbage contains a certain amount of vitamin U, which protects mucosal cells. Its fresh juice can treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, providing pain relief and promoting healing.
3. Regular consumption of cabbage has cosmetic benefits for the skin, preventing skin pigmentation, reducing freckles in young people, and delaying the appearance of age spots.
4. Traditional medicine believes that cabbage, being neutral and sweet, can strengthen the spleen and kidneys, and unblock collaterals to strengthen bones. Eating more cabbage can increase appetite, promote digestion, and prevent constipation. Modern research has found that cabbage contains indole substances that can inhibit and prevent cancer, particularly reducing the incidence of breast cancer. Cabbage also contains an enzyme that can decompose nitrosamines, giving it certain anti-cancer properties.
5. Cabbage is rich in anti-aging antioxidant components, which can boost immunity and improve overall health.
6. Cabbage can also help prevent alcohol poisoning.
【How to Eat】
There are many ways to eat cabbage. It can be stir-fried or boiled, but the cooking time should not be too long to reduce the loss of vitamin C. It can also be shredded and eaten cold as a salad, or made into pickles and dried vegetables.
【Recommended Amount】
For middle-aged and elderly people, a daily intake of 50-60 grams of cabbage is appropriate.
So, how can you make cabbage delicious? Let Xiaomei reveal the secrets.
Cabbage and Meat Dumplings Stir-fried Cabbage with Eggs Shrimp and Cabbage Congee Braised Pork with Cabbage