Abstract:
Cabbage is believed to have evolved from a wild form native to Europe, growing along the coast of the North Sea, the English Channel and northern Mediterranean. Theoprastus described cabbage in 350 BC and the Greeks cultivated it as early as 600 BC and they believed that cabbage was a gift from the
gods. Pliny reported a soft-headed form in ancient Rome and the Saxons and
Romans probably cultivated it and introduced it to the British Isles. The hardheaded types were only mentioned in the 9th century. The early Egyptians
are said to have worshipped it. The plant was used for medicinal purposes
to treat gout, stomach problems, deafness, headache and hangovers in the
early days. Cabbage is now grown throughout the world.