HWN Suggests

Why You Should Make This Calcium-Rich Super Green Your Salad Go-To

Rocket to health - Arugula might be sold next to the romaine and mesclun at the grocery store, but the peppery-tasting herb is actually part of the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. And here’s another fun fact that you can use to delight your next dinner-party guests: Arugula is native to the Mediterranean and has been cultivated since (at least) the days of the Roman Empire, when it was cherished for its digestive and diuretic properties and believed it to be an aphrodisiac. More recently, arugula became popular in the United States only within the last couple of decades; you might recall that, back in 2007, then presidential candidate Barack Obama…

read full article

Featured

 Arugula is not your average leafy green

With its surge in popularity, it’s likely that you have come across arugula, whether in the supermarket, at the local farmers market, or in a trendy restaurant. Arugula, also known as rocket, is a leafy green with a peppery taste. It appears most often in salads, usually in a mixture with other greens to balance out the spicy flavor.

Articles of Interest

Arugula

Not typical of most leafy greens, arugula has a peppery mustard flavor that is pungent and rich. Arugula has many vital phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants.

Arugula, the “New” Kale

By now I’m sure you’ve heard all about the “super” green kale. Kale salads, kale smoothies, kale chips…I swear that for a while everywhere I went I was hearing about kale. I get it, it’s super nutritious, pretty mild in taste and it’s a good healthy alternative to a lot of other greens that don’t pack the nutritious punch that kale does. But, kale has had its moment in the sun! Today, I’m here to brag on my new favorite super green, arugula.

Fresh, Feisty Arugula: More Than A Salad Green

In the past couple of years, wild arugula has entered the culinary scene. Wild arugula has slightly thinner, darker, more sharply fluted leaves and an edgier flavor than regular arugula. Most chefs suggest eating wild arugula raw or just wilted to truly appreciate its flavor. It's found at farmers markets, specialty organic markets and some major supermarkets and usually costs slightly more than regular arugula.

Healthy Bites: Awesome Arugula

With a nutrient profile similar to kale, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli, arugula is an excellent leafy alternative to these other cruciferous vegetables. When you want a distinctive, almost peppery flavor, arugula is the green to grab.

Is arugula healthier raw or cooked? The leafy green packs in these impressive health benefits

The leafy green Americans know as arugula has several different names in other countries. People in the United Kingdom call it "rocket." Many think this name originated from the Northern Italian word “ruchetta,” which later became “roquette” in France. The word “arugula” is probably an Americanized version of the traditional Italian word “rucola,” which Italian immigrants introduced to the U.S.

The Benefits and A Little Taste of Arugula

Since the taste can be strong, when I use it in a salad, I like to mix it in with other greens, to give it a bit of a kick.

The Benefits of Growing Your Own Arugula

Arugula is one of the first plants I had success growing and remains one of my favorite things to grow in the kitchen garden. It's overall just a fast and easy plant that is sure to give even the most inexperienced of gardeners success.

The Incredibly Awesome Arugula Plant

In fact, fresh arugula is so versatile that it’s sometimes called the culinary chameleon, “at times assertive, yet often subtly spicy. The young, tender leaves are delicately sweet with a buttery-smooth texture and an understated peppery taste enhanced by nuances of nutty flavor. Older leaves are more assertive, with a distinct peppery tang reminiscent of a sharp cress or pungent mustard. In contrast, the tiny white flowers reveal a new dimension of culinary versatility, tasting more like a delicate blend of sesame and almond.”

The science-backed reasons to eat more arugula

This flavorful leafy green is part of the Brassicaceae (or “mustard greens”) plant family, along with other healthy veggies like cabbage, collards, and cauliflower. Arugula has a distinct tart and peppery flavor that you may find a little bitter—but along with the bitterness comes a plethora of valuable nutritional benefits.

Resources

6 Amazing Health Benefits of Arugula

Green leafy vegetables such as arugula are packed with vitamins and minerals and contain virtually no carbohydrates, making this nutritious superfood an excellent choice for those following a Healthy Keto® diet.

Three Health Benefits You Will Gain By Adding Arugula To Your Diet

Hard to pronounce, but high in nutritional benefits you may be missing