Black radish
| Black radish | |
|---|---|
 Black radish, round variety | |
| Genus | Raphanus |
| Species | Raphanus raphanistrum |
| Subspecies | Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus[1] |
| Cultivar | several, including 'Black Spanish Round'[2] |
The black radish, a cultivated variety of the radish, is a root vegetable of the family Brassicaceae and is a variety of winter radish. 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 these phytochemicals are produced in high concentrations.
History
[edit]The domestication and early history of radishes is not completely solved. Black radish likely originated from Raphanus maritimus while spring radish varieties originated from Raphanus 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's Syria 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]
Description
[edit]
Black radish is an annual plant whose root 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]
Cultivation
[edit]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. The seeds 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 a pH 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 cabbage root maggots, cutworms and flea 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 a root cellar[12] or be stored in the fridge for up to three weeks at 0–5 °C (32–41 °F).[15]
Food
[edit]Black radish can be eaten raw as salad or cooked in soups or stews. As long as the black skin seems fresh and does not smell moldy, it can be consumed as well. The strong taste of the root can be reduced by adding salt to the raw root.[16]
Medicine
[edit]In folk medicine black radish juice has many different uses. It has been used since antiquity for its purported stimulation of bile function.[17] Black radish has been used for many centuries in some regions of Asia, Africa, and Mexico.[18] Black radish juice contains glucosinolates.[18] Glucoraphasatin and glucoraphanin are the most abundant. Consequently, black radish has been studied for its potential use in the prevention of cholesterol gallstones.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ "Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Raphanus sativus 'Black Spanish Round'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ a b c Wein, Kurt (1964). "Die Geschichte des Rettichs und des Radieschens". Die Kulturpflanze (in German). 12: 31–74. doi:10.1007/BF02095781. S2CID 19391461.
- ^ Alcock, Joan P. (2006). Food in the Ancient World. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313330032.
- ^ Aiton, William Townsend (1814). Hortus Kewensis; Or, A Catalogue of the Plants Cultivated in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. p. 3.
Hortus Kewensis; Or, A Catalogue of the Plants Cultivated in the Royal.
- ^ "Forgotten vegetables : the black radish - Le magazine de Relais & Châteaux". Retrieved 2018-11-26.
- ^ "Lifestyle - Schwarzer Rettich – Scharf und gesund". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
- ^ "What is a black radish? A primer on how to eat this tasty root vegetable". From the Grapevine. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
- ^ "Black radish, the winter radish". Nature & Garden. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "Raphanus sativus niger - J.Kern". Plants For A Future. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ Bundessortenamt, Beschreibende Sortenliste, 2001, S. 46, https://www.bundessortenamt.de/internet30/fileadmin/Files/PDF/bsl_wurzelgemuese_2001.pdf
- ^ a b c d "Growing Black Radishes". DIY Network. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ "Black Radish Info: Learn How To Grow Black Radish Plants". Gardening know how. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ a b c "How to Grow Radish Black Spanish". Quickcrop. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ a b c "Black Radish: Tips on Growing & Harvesting". Mantis. 2016-08-31. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
- ^ Kwee, Lim, Tong (2014-12-03). Edible medicinal and non medicinal plants. Volume 9, Modified stems, roots, bulbs. Dordrecht. ISBN 9789401795111. OCLC 897810272.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Lugasi, Andrea; Blázovics, Anna; Hagymási, Krisztina; Kocsis, Ibolya; Kéry, Ágnes (2005). "Antioxidant effect of squeezed juice from black radish (Raphanus sativus L.var niger) in alimentary hyperlipidaemia in rats". Phytotherapy Research. 19 (7): 587–591. doi:10.1002/ptr.1655. ISSN 0951-418X. PMID 16161062. S2CID 24430128.
- ^ a b c Castro-Torres, Ibrahim Guillermo; De la O-Arciniega, Minarda; Gallegos-Estudillo, Janeth; Naranjo-Rodríguez, Elia Brosla; Domínguez-Ortíz, Miguel Ángel (2013-03-15). "Raphanus sativusL.var nigeras a source of Phytochemicals for the Prevention of Cholesterol Gallstones". Phytotherapy Research. 28 (2): 167–171. doi:10.1002/ptr.4964. ISSN 0951-418X. PMID 23495001. S2CID 11252934.