Love it or hate it, rocket is popular all over the world. Also known as arugula, roquette and rucola, it’s known for its pungent and peppery flavours. It might look like an unassuming leafy vegetable, but the reasons for its taste, health benefits and whether we like it all comes down to genetics.
What is the difference between arugula and wild arugula?
Wild arugula has thin, jagged leaves, a punchier peppery taste and is hardier than standard arugula. Though it’s called wild arugula, this variety is now cultivated and can be found in most specialty grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
What is the difference between arugula and rocket leaves?
The taste and aroma of both these types of rockets is very different. Arugula is peppery and sharp while rucola is more aromatic and only a hint of peppery taste which is more complex than arugula.
Why is rocket called arugula?
The English common name rocket derives from the Italian word Ruchetta or rucola, a diminutive of the Latin word eruca, which once designated a particular plant in the family Brassicaceae (probably a type of cabbage).
What is the difference between rocket and wild rocket?
‘Wild’ or ‘Perennial’ rocket is gaining in popularity; it has narrower and more deeply divided, aromatic leaves than the annual variety. They have a more intense flavour that is sharp and clean, unlike salad rocket, which can become bitter with age in hot weather. They have so much flavour, they hardly need a dressing.
Is wild arugula better?
Wild perennial arugula has a slightly stronger, more complex flavor and is slower growing than other arugula. Its peppery flavor adds a zing to salads but it is also delicious on pizza or as a pesto. Harvest as baby greens or grow to full size. A good container variety, and the flowers are edible, too!
Is wild rocket arugula?
Wild arugula is also known as Roquette, Wild Rocket, Rauke, and Sylvetta and is used as a vegetable and herb in various culinary applications.
Is Wild Rocket good for you?
rocket. Both these leafy greens are rich in chlorophyll, amino acids and vitamins C, E, B and K. They also contain beta-carotenes, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin (for eye health). But rocket also provides glucosinolates, which help to protect against cancer.
How can you tell arugula is wild?
Wild arugula has yellow flowers and smooth or serrated leaves. It is more heat tolerant with a hotter flavor and stronger scented than a cultivated rocket. There are several species within the Diplotaxis genus. You’ll find them labeled as wild rocket, wall-rocket, Rucola Selvatica, or Arugula Sylvetta.
What is arugula also known as?
Arugula, Rocket (Roquette) Plants. Arugula, also known as salad or garden rocket,is one of the nutritious green-leafy vegetable of Mediterranean origin. It is a small, low growing annual herb featuring dandelion like succulent, elongated, lobular leaves with green-veins.
How do you eat rocket?
Give rocket a rinse, dry thoroughly and then you’re good to go! Use as a salad leaf with lemony dressing, or stir into pastas and risottos to wilt for a peppery kick. Rocket is also delicious used instead of basil in fresh pesto.
Why is arugula good for you?
Arugula is full of antioxidants — compounds that can protect against or reverse damage to your cells. Arugula also has glucosinolates. These natural substances, which give arugula its bitter taste and strong scent, may protect you against certain cancers, including breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancers.
Are rockets poisonous?
Rocket flowers are edible and make lovely decorations for salads and other dishes.
Does rocket grow back after cutting?
Rocket can be ready to harvest within 4-6 weeks of sowing, and can be grown as a cut and come again crop. The growing time for Rocket, as with lettuce, can be extended at the end of the growing season by covering the crop with a cloche.
How do you harvest rocket so it keeps growing?
Regular picking keeps growth young, tender and tasty. Pick a few leaves from each plant along the row. If you take lots of leaves from just one plant, you’ll weaken the growth. As flower buds appear, pinch them out to prolong cropping, unless you want the plant to produce seeds.
Can you eat rocket stems?
All parts of rocket – leaves, flowers and seeds – can be used.
Can arugula cause stomach problems?
Some of the short-term side effects of arugula include flatulence and abdominal cramping and discomfort. These bad effects are caused due to the presence of sulforaphane in arugula. Again it is dangerous for people with certain blood disorders or people who take medications for blood thinning.
Is baby arugula the same as wild arugula?
Baby arugula is much more mild than wild, surrey or mature arugula.
Does arugula lower blood pressure?
Along with other leafy greens, arugula contains high levels of beneficial nitrates and polyphenols. A 2014 review study found that high intakes of nitrate may lower blood pressure, reduce the amount of oxygen needed during exercise, and enhance athletic performance.
Can you eat raw arugula?
How to use it. Arugula is delicious raw, and it can be used as a healthy add-on topping for pizza, nachos, sandwiches, and wraps. It can be served as a side salad with nothing more than a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. It also makes an excellent base for more substantial salad recipes.
Are there different types of arugula?
Also called rocket, arugula is available from many seed suppliers and garden centers, which commonly sell one of two types: wild Italian arugula (Eruca selvatica) and common arugula (Eruca sativa).