Do you ever get intrigued of those tiny crop in your local supermarket that is comparable to a size of a normal potato but has a stem-like tip same of an onion and is almost as red as your cherry lipstick on Friday night? Yes, we are talking about red radishes.
This tiny thing can be considered as an ancient crop as the first written records about it were dated 3rd Century BC. Imagine the people of the Royal Empire munching on to these during the Classical Era. Epic. It was also recorded that laborers of ancient pyramids are being paid with garlic, onions and radishes because they don't have currency back then.
Importance of the Red Radish
This infamous root crop is now making its way to be popular worldwide mainly because of its capacity to grow anywhere - whether you have a garden, or just in pots or containers as long as it has enough sunlight and moisture. It also doesn't choose a specific season.
Just like most of our favorite vegetables, this is available year-round. One thing that amazes me about this tiny daikon radish is that it only takes 22 to 70 days to mature and can then be harvested completely. Enough reason to be one of the staple ingredient in every household.
Don't get too excited though; it's not like potatoes that are easily liked because of creative variants that we can make out of it and not like your carrots that are almost tasteless without any mayo to dip it with. They are often described to have a pungent taste and some even considered it as 'spicy'.
Mind you, they are not like peppers and chillis that have capsaicin so it will never by spicy. That stingy feeling that we experience every time we bite is caused by sulfur present on its cells, thus, giving us this tingly sensation almost same as how our senses react when we munch on peppers and chillis. Interesting, huh?
The Benefits of Red Radish
The good thing is that a small amount of it can be used as a spice to add texture to your meal. It is often added on salads to put some kick to it and enhance the taste of the greens. I personally prefer minced red radish than turnips on my tacos because it adds up a bit of excitement while eating.
That peppery taste makes me munch for more. It has wide variety of benefits too - mainly a good source of vitamins such as C and Potassium and can be a good aid for digestion.
If you are planning to grow a red radish, always keep in mind that though it's considered as a crop that can withstand any weather condition, it is still a living thing that needs sunlight and enough water to grow. These are reproduced by seeds which normally sprout after three to four days.
If you are planning to have a garden, proper spacing should be observed. At least 2 inches apart will be fine. We don't want out tiny babies to feel crowded as they might decide to grow smaller than normal or not grow at all.
While most of us are yet to discover the benefits of this wonder red bulb of flavor could bring, let me help you with one thing: trying something new can lead to an awesome discovery. It might be a new recipe, a new dish, or even just a new family favorite.
This tiny thing can be considered as an ancient crop as the first written records about it were dated 3rd Century BC. Imagine the people of the Royal Empire munching on to these during the Classical Era. Epic. It was also recorded that laborers of ancient pyramids are being paid with garlic, onions and radishes because they don't have currency back then.
Importance of the Red Radish
This infamous root crop is now making its way to be popular worldwide mainly because of its capacity to grow anywhere - whether you have a garden, or just in pots or containers as long as it has enough sunlight and moisture. It also doesn't choose a specific season.
Just like most of our favorite vegetables, this is available year-round. One thing that amazes me about this tiny daikon radish is that it only takes 22 to 70 days to mature and can then be harvested completely. Enough reason to be one of the staple ingredient in every household.
Don't get too excited though; it's not like potatoes that are easily liked because of creative variants that we can make out of it and not like your carrots that are almost tasteless without any mayo to dip it with. They are often described to have a pungent taste and some even considered it as 'spicy'.
Mind you, they are not like peppers and chillis that have capsaicin so it will never by spicy. That stingy feeling that we experience every time we bite is caused by sulfur present on its cells, thus, giving us this tingly sensation almost same as how our senses react when we munch on peppers and chillis. Interesting, huh?
The Benefits of Red Radish
The good thing is that a small amount of it can be used as a spice to add texture to your meal. It is often added on salads to put some kick to it and enhance the taste of the greens. I personally prefer minced red radish than turnips on my tacos because it adds up a bit of excitement while eating.
That peppery taste makes me munch for more. It has wide variety of benefits too - mainly a good source of vitamins such as C and Potassium and can be a good aid for digestion.
If you are planning to grow a red radish, always keep in mind that though it's considered as a crop that can withstand any weather condition, it is still a living thing that needs sunlight and enough water to grow. These are reproduced by seeds which normally sprout after three to four days.
If you are planning to have a garden, proper spacing should be observed. At least 2 inches apart will be fine. We don't want out tiny babies to feel crowded as they might decide to grow smaller than normal or not grow at all.
While most of us are yet to discover the benefits of this wonder red bulb of flavor could bring, let me help you with one thing: trying something new can lead to an awesome discovery. It might be a new recipe, a new dish, or even just a new family favorite.
