Over the festive period, Brussels sprouts are almost as significant as the Christmas decorations or the Christmas tree. Love them or hate them, they are sure to feature on your plate at some point.
Why do we eat this little cabbage at Christmas time, and are there some benefits to eating them? In the following sections, we’ll take a look at the humble Brussels sprout:
A case of timing
The question of why the sprout has become a traditional part of Christmas dinner has never been definitively answered. It seems to be a simple case of timing. The sprout thrives and grows well over the winter period, and came to British shores towards the end of the 18th century, just as the concept of Christmas feasting was igniting.
Are they good for you?
While some people could munch their way through several sprouts, others cringe at the thought of eating just one. However, the sprout is packed with goodness, so they are a worthy addition to your plate at any time of the year. They contain all of the B vitamins, along with vitamin A, phosphorous, manganese and iron, so they are quite the nutritional powerhouse.
Record breaker
The sprout is, in essence, a very small cabbage, but in 1922, a record-breaking sprout was grown and weighed in at a whopping 8.3kg!
Of course, if you are not a fan of Brussels sprouts, there are many other Christmas dinner trimmings to enjoy instead – you certainly won’t go hungry.
