Beet (Beta vulgaris)

Preparing beetroot takes a little time but the delicious health-giving options in your kitchen are worth the wait.

When you think of beet you normally think of the root. In fact, it is a plant often referred to as "beetroot". However, beets are a member of the same family as Swiss chard and, like chard, the leaves are perfectly edible and a healthy option. Attached to the beet leaves is a round or oblong root, which is typically a reddish-purple colour due to the health-promoting pigments, but beets also come in varieties that feature white or yellow roots.

The Romans were the first to cultivate beet, but it was 2000 years before this vegetable became really popular. Early in the 19th century it was discovered that beets were a concentrated source of sugar and the first sugar factory was built in Poland. Then, when access to sugar cane was restricted by the British, Napoleon decreed that the beet be used as the primary source of sugar, instigating its popularity. While beet does contain sugars, it has a range of health-promoting substances that make it a very healthy, as well as tasty, addition to your kitchen.

Beet at home