Pungent, Punchy and Potent
If you’re not yet growing horseradish, you may want to. From leaf to root, the horseradish benefits are numerous to boot! Pungent, punchy and potent, you can use the roots, leaves and flowers of the humble horseradish plant.
Horseradish, (Armoracia rusticana), is a pungent root often used as a relish. Fresh grated horseradish can induce tears, rankle mucous membranes and set hell fire blazing in the oral cavity while fumigating the nasal passages. Some might call horseradish bitingly pungent.
Before we get into the horseradish benefits and uses, let’s cover a little background on this homely root with so much power.
Horseradish is often used as a substitute for Wasabi.
Wasabi Substitute
The Japanese condiment wasabi, is a green paste prepared from the true wasabi plant (Wasabia japonica). But the wasabi is plant is hard to propagate and takes several years to grow, and is subsequently, very expensive. When it comes to food preparation, wasabi must be served within minutes of grating because it loses its flavor very quickly.
“Most sushi eaters—even in Japan—are actually being served a mixture of ground horseradish and green food coloring, splashed with a hint of Chinese mustard. Worldwide, experts believe that this imposter combination masquerades as wasabi about 99 percent of the time.”
~TheAtlantic.com
“Authentic wasabi, known as Wasabia japonica, is the most expensive crop in the world to grow.”
Source: The Atlantic
Western Wasabi
The reason for this wasabi treason…? Availability, and subsequently, price. But also, the horseradish proves to be a very worthy replacement, and in fact in Asia is often called “western wasabi”.
In Japanese, the botanical tag for horseradish is seiyōwasabi, translated as “Western wasabi”. The two plants share the same family—Brassicaceae.[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horseradish
How to pronounce Brassicaceae in simple phonetic English:
- Brah-sĭ-KAY-see (or Brăss-sĭ-KAY-see – more common in US) [2]https://youtu.be/WGJRjhMTBdQ
- Brăss-uh-COTCHY-ee (lesser common US version) [3]https://youtu.be/sfDHnVCKzF4
- Brah-SISSY-eye, (more common to UK)[4]https://youtu.be/VhgORv27_SE
- Brah–sĭ-KAY-see-aye (more nuanced pronunciation of the end vowels)
Horseradish has been used for food and medicine down the ages. Native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, horseradish’s recorded history dates back to the early Greeks (likely even earlier).
Europeans brought plants to The New World for culinary and medicinal purposes, but more than that, they brought it for survival. Same with the mighty dandelion and purslane and other tenacious and invasive “weeds”.
Some of the most resilient “weeds” are also nutritional and medicinal powerhouse plants.
Why is it called Horseradish?
The first origin of the word horseradish is thought to stem from the German word for it: “meerrettich”, meaning ‘sea radish’, because it grows by the sea. The English are thought to have translated that to mean “mare-radish.
So common assumptions are that the English adopted the word “horse” from “mare” to mean “strong, large, coarse”. [5]https://www.etymonline.com/word/horseradish#etymonline_v_14471 Given that this potent root can reduce a brawny brute to tears, that meaning sure fits.
Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana
Nature’s invasive species considered weeds, are often resilient plants with tremendous food and medicinal value.
Growing Horseradish
Where to Buy Horseradish
Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana, is easily grown from root cuttings. You can find horseradish plants in local garden centers, farmers’ markets, feed and seed stores. You even buy plant the horseradish roots from your local food store (best if fresh and showing part of the “crown”).
Roots can also be procured on-line.
What is a Root Crown?
A root crown, also known as the root collar or root neck, is that part of a root system from which a stem arises. Since roots and stems have quite different vascular anatomies, major vascular changes take place at this point.
Root-crown temperature has been found to affect plant growth and physiology in a number of ways.[1] Root crowns need to be exposed and ‘breathe’; this is one way that some plants take in oxygen.
~SOURCE: Wikipedia.com
Horseradish is Easy to Grow
Some would claim horseradish grows too well. In our small garden, one small plant grew robustly sending out roots in all directions. New plants sprouted up everywhere.
Horseradish is Invasive
Yes, horseradish is an invasive tenacious plant, so it’s best to reserve an isolated spot or a pot than to “mix in” with other crops. Horseradish doesn’t play nice with other veggies. That’s why we’re now growing horseradish in a container.
Chances are you’ll have your own horseradish patch, forever. They grow well in many soil conditions, but will thrive in loose rich sandy soil. Nearly neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Spring planting is optimal. [6]https://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/vegetables/growing-horseradish-zw0z1401zsto
Horseradish is a Perennial Plant that’s Edible and Medicinal
🍃SOIL: Any, but prefers loose loamy with neutral pH
🍃PLANT: Roots with crowns in spring or fall, 2″ below soil level, leaning diagonally
🍃SIZE: Large upright plant:
⬆︎ height-3-4′ feet
⬌ spread 2+ feet (if roots send up shoots)
🍃LEAF: Simple elongated wavy and some lobed
🍃FLOWERS: Small white flowers on a tall raceme
🍃GROWTH: Perennial easy, rapid grower, invasive
🍃ZONE: Hardy down to -25℉ (growing zones 2-9)
🍃SUN: – Full sun to partial shade
🍃HARVEST:
🌱Leaves plucked sparsely throughout growing season
🌱 Flowers plucked before going to seed
🌱Roots at one year:
🍁Plant in autumn, harvest in autumn after frost kills leaves
🌻Plant in spring, harvest in spring, early before leaf growth
Reference: WImasterGardener.org
Harvesting Horseradish
How to Harvest Horseradish
LEAVES:
- Snip some horseradish leaves during growing season to eat
ROOTS: