In this article, we will talk about the history and different types of turnip. People have been growing turnips for thousands of years, but turnips were not a very popular crop. In fact, during the Roman Empire, the Romans kept turnip roots to throw at people they did not like. Historical data show that turnip roots were eaten primarily by poor people in ancient Greece and Rome. Only a few high level Romans ate turnips and combined them with cumin or honey.
History and different types of turnip
The history of the turnip plant shows that farmers in Europe used this plant to feed cows and pigs for centuries. Turnip root became a very popular livestock forage in the UK. Until the 1700s, farmers killed their cattle and pigs before winter for instance to avoid the cost of storing hay in the wet season. But when it turned out that turnips could grow in cold and humid gardens for animal feed, farmers stopped doing so.
An interesting fact about the turnip root was its use as a lantern. The Celtic people of Ireland emptied the turnips and burned them with sticks to ward off evil spirits.
Purple turnips are the most common type. Their skin is white and the upper part is purple. The crispy white meat inside has a mild and slightly sweet taste, which makes the taste of roots and vegetables softer when cooked.
Different types of turnip
In fact, there are more than 30 types of turnips that are different in size, color, taste and use which can plant in two seasons, autumn and spring. Turnip is very easy to grow, it can grow both in pots and in the garden.
Purple-Top White Globe turnip
These type of turnips mature in 50-55 days and grow to about 10 to 15 cm which are white and round, and the upper part is purple. You can store them in a cool and humid place. They have a spicy taste that gives a better taste to stews and pickles.
Scarlet Queen Turnip
If you want to have a colorful and attractive salad, you should use this type of red turnip. They are slightly smooth and mature in 40-45 days which have a sweet and crunchy taste, and when combined with carrots, parsley, lemon and honey, make it one of the best types of turnips.
Baby Bunch turnip
Baby Bunch turnip is small and reaches 2 to 5 cm in diameter. It has crispy meat and a combination of sour apples and radishes.
White Lady turnip
You can harvest this type of turnip in 30 to 35 days. The taste of White Lady turnip is milder compared to Purple-Top White Globe turnip. It is about 5 to 7 cm in diameter and has white flesh. This type of turnip can eat with other vegetables.
Gold Ball Turnip
Gold Ball turnip has golden yellow flesh skin and has a mild sweet taste, similar to almonds. It reaches a diameter of 12 to 15 cm and if harvested early, it is 7 to 10 cm in size. This type of turnip matures between 40-45 days.
Top turnip producing countries in the world
- China 20,574,774 ton
- Uzbekistan 2.250.559 ton
- Russian Federation 1.847.092 ton
- United States 1,374,580 ton
- Ukraine 876,920 ton
- Poland 822.003 ton
- England 811.117 ton
- Germany 641,628 ton
- France 578,490 ton
- Japan 567,000 ton
Nutrition facts of turnip in 100g
- Calories 22
- Fat 0.1 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 16 mg
- Potassium 177 mg
- Carbohydrates 5.1 g
- Dietary fiber 2 g
- Sugars 3 g
- Protein 0.7 g
Health benefits of turnip
According to an authoritative 2013 study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacy, foods containing nitrates such as turnips and vegetables have several benefits for vascular health. These include lowering blood pressure and preventing platelets from sticking to the blood. However, the long-term risks of a high nitrate diet and its impact on cardiovascular health are unclear.
Turnip, whether fresh or dried, are high in fiber, low in calories which gives people feeling full longer. Eating high-fiber meals also helps keep blood sugar levels steady.
Food Lord dried turnip with high quality and without any preservatives and additives is a dried vegetable ready for use in all kinds of soups.
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