| Black radish | |
|---|---|
 Black radish, round variety | |
| Genus | Raphanus |
| Species | Raphanus raphanistrum |
| Subspecies | Raphanus raphanistrum subsp.sativus[1] |
| Cultivar | several, including 'Black Spanish Round'[2] |
Theblack radish, a cultivated variety of theradish, is a root vegetable of the familyBrassicaceae and is a variety of winterradish. It is also called black Spanish radish or Erfurter radish.
The edible root has a tough black skin and white flesh. There are round and elongated varieties. Like other radishes, black radish has a sharp flavor due to various chemical compounds that the plant primarily uses as pest defense. Some of thesephytochemicals are produced in high concentrations.
Thedomestication and early history of radishes is not completely solved. Black radish likely originated fromRaphanus maritimus while spring radish varieties originated fromRaphanus landra.[3]Cultivation can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where illustrations in tombs show extensive use of a long variety of radish.[4] The region of today'sSyria is likely the geographical origin of black radish.[3] It was first mentioned in Europe in 1548.[5] At that time, it was one of the most common radish varieties. It lost its importance with the introduction of new radish-varieties but was still widely cultivated until the early 20th century.[3] In the second half of the 20th century it had to give way to spring radish varieties and got "forgotten" in European cuisine.[6] It is now considered an “old variety” and enjoys renewed popularity as health-food through mentions in lifestyle and food blogs and magazines.[7][8]
Black radish is anannual plant whoseroot is encased in a black or dull brown skin and with a white flesh.[9] Generally, black radish is bigger than spring radish varieties and grows around seven to ten centimeters in diameter or length. The plants can grow up to a height of 0.5 m (20 in).[10] Depending on the variety, the radishes are round, cylindrical or elongated.[11]
Black radish takes 35 days to 55 days or longer to mature.[12] It can be sown in mid summer to autumn, depending on the climate and be harvested in autumn or winter.[12][13] Too high temperatures during growth should be avoided because the radishes get woody and spongy at such a climate.[14] Sowing can happen directly in the field or indoors and the plants can later be transferred to the field. The plants should be spaced 5–10 cm (2–4 in) to each other or even more, if bigger radishes are desired. Theseeds should be sown in a depth of 0.6–1.2 cm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in).[12] Black radish requires a well-drained,loamy, soil with apH of 5.9 to 6.8. The plants should get around six to eight hours of sun.[15] Harvest should take place once the top portion is poking above the soil.[15] Known pests are cabbageroot maggots,cutworms andflea beetles.[14]
For storage the mature plants can be kept in the ground if temperatures are low.[14] The radish can also be kept for months in aroot cellar[12] or be stored in the fridge for up to three weeks at 0–5 °C (32–41 °F).[15]
Black radish can be eaten raw as salad or cooked in soups orstews. As long as the black skin seems fresh and does not smellmoldy, it can be consumed as well. The strong taste of the root can be reduced by adding salt to the raw root.[16]
In folk medicine black radish juice has many different uses. It has been used since antiquity for its purported stimulation ofbile function.[17] Black radish has been used for many centuries in some regions of Asia, Africa, and Mexico.[18] Black radish juice containsglucosinolates.[18]Glucoraphasatin andglucoraphanin are the most abundant. Consequently, black radish has been studied for its potential use in the prevention of cholesterol gallstones.[18]
Hortus Kewensis; Or, A Catalogue of the Plants Cultivated in the Royal.
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