Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Brassica
Species: oleracea GongylodesGroup
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Kohlrabi is a low, stout cultivar of the cabbage that will grow almost anywhere.
The name comes from the German Kohl ("cabbage") plus Rübe ~ Rabi (Swiss German variant) ("turnip"), because the swollen stem resembles the latter, hence its Austrian name Kohlrübe.
Kohlrabi has been created by artificial selection for lateral meristem growth (a swollen, nearly spherical shape); its origin in nature is the same as that of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts: They are all bred from, and are the same species as, the wild cabbage plant (Brassica oleracea).
The taste and texture of kohlrabi are similar to those of a broccoli stem or cabbage heart, but milder and sweeter, with a higher ratio of flesh to skin. The young stem in particular can be as crisp and juicy as an apple, although much less sweet.
Except for the Gigante cultivar, spring-grown kohlrabi much over 2.5 inches in size tend to be woody, as do full-grown kohlrabi much over perhaps 5 inches in size; the Gigante cultivar can achieve great size while remaining of good eating quality. The plant matures in 55–60 days after sowing. Approximate weight is a little less than half a pound and has good standing ability for up to 30 days after maturity.
Kohlrabi can be eaten raw as well as cooked.
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 113 kJ (27 kcal)
Sugars 2.6 g
Dietary fiber 3.6 g
Fat 0.1 g
Protein 1.7 g
Water 91 g
Vitamin C 62 mg (75%)
KNOWN PESTS: Cabbage worms and loopers, root maggots, aphids and Diamondback moths
KNOWN DISEASES: Head rot and downy mildew
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