Content
White and red cabbage are types of healthy vegetables that have both similar qualities and significant differences. And if the first one is very popular and is considered a universal product, then the second one is not so often found in culinary recipes. Therefore, it is worth understanding how red cabbage differs from white cabbage in appearance and characteristics. It is equally important which type of culture is more beneficial for human health.
Red cabbage, unlike white cabbage, has a longer growing season.
Definition and Brief Description
These plants are close relatives. Both types of crops belong to the Cruciferous family and form a dense head of cabbage. However, there is still a difference between them in appearance, which is visible to the naked eye.
Red cabbage
Red cabbage is a breeding variety of white cabbage. In the year of planting, it forms a short thickened stem, at the top of which a round or flat head of cabbage is formed. Both the inner and outer leaves of the plant are purple in color.However, they may have a light blue or dark red tint, depending on the anthocyanin content of the vegetable.
The root system is fibrous, powerful, branched. The average weight of heads of cabbage is 1.5-3 kg. In the second season, red cabbage blooms and forms a fruit-pod up to 12 cm long. Small round black seeds ripen inside it.
The red cabbage species was developed in Western Europe at the beginning of the 16th century
White cabbage
White cabbage is a biennial herbaceous plant that forms a short, thick stalk and a rosette of leaves in the year of planting. Some of them subsequently do not open and form a dense head of cabbage. In the second season, the head cracks, and flower stalks grow from the axils of the leaves, where the buds are located. After pollination of the buds, fruit pods are formed, inside which seeds are formed.
The leaves are large, lyre-shaped. Large veins are clearly visible on them. The lower plates of the plant form a rosette and have elongated petioles. The upper leaves are sessile, and it is they that form the head of cabbage at the end of the first season.
The shade of the plates of this variety of crop, unlike red cabbage, varies from light to dark green and has a bluish tint. In late-ripening varieties, anthocyanin coloring is possible in the veins and along the edges of the leaves. The plates are covered with a waxy coating, and in species intended for long-term preservation, it is much more intense.
White cabbage also differs from the purple variety in that its heads are much larger. Their average weight is 2-4 kg.However, their consistency is looser than that of the red-headed type of vegetable. The shape of the heads can be round, flattened, cone-shaped or elongated.
The root system of the plant is well developed, powerful, its main part is located at a depth of 40-60 cm from the soil surface.
The cabbage variety of the crop is a cross-pollinated crop.
The difference between red cabbage and white cabbage
The difference between red and white cabbage is in characteristics and price. Therefore, it is worth understanding how different these products are.
Shelf life
Red-headed species of the crop, unlike white ones, set their heads much later. Moreover, due to their high density, they need a lower level of humidity during long-term storage. In most cases, the red cabbage crop can remain fresh for 4-9 months from the moment of harvest. At the same time, it is recommended to store it at a temperature of +1-3 ° C and a humidity of about 80-85%.
White cabbage, unlike red cabbage, is juicier and therefore can remain fresh for 2-6 months. This requires a temperature of +1-2 °C and a humidity of 90-95%. For long-term storage, it is necessary to collect white heads of cabbage only in dry weather in the morning.
Productivity
Due to the fact that red cabbage forms small heads in size and weight, it is significantly inferior to white cabbage in terms of yield. On average from 1 sq. m area you can collect 4-6 kg of the purple variety. And the yield of white cabbage from the same plot can be 5-12 kg.
Purple heads of cabbage tolerate transportation better
Features of cultivation
Vegetables also differ in growing conditions. The red cabbage species is not susceptible to drought. But at the same time, both vegetables are not able to develop in partial shade and need good lighting throughout the day. Purple cabbage is less demanding on soil composition. Moreover, it is capable of fully developing even on pre-limed peat bogs, unlike cabbage. And the favorable temperature for active formation and growth of heads of cabbage is +15-20 °C.
The white cabbage type of crop is more demanding when it comes to watering. Its development slows down significantly when there is a lack of moisture in the soil. It places increased demands on soil fertility. White vegetables must be fed regularly throughout the season in order to obtain a high yield. Otherwise, the heads may not only be small, but may not form at all.
Red cabbage, unlike white cabbage, is able to fully develop even in the absence of fertilizing. However, by using mineral and organic fertilizers, you can speed up the ripening of heads of cabbage and also significantly extend their shelf life.
Resistance to pests and diseases
Red cabbage, unlike white cabbage, is less susceptible to diseases and pests. This is explained by the fact that its leaves are not so juicy, and the plant has high natural immunity. White cabbage can suffer from fungal diseases and pests throughout the growing season. Therefore, unlike red, it needs regular treatments.
Price
The cost of purple cabbage is higher than that of white cabbage.This is due to the fact that the cost of storing the crop is much higher due to its long storage period and lower productivity. In addition, the red variety of the crop, unlike the white one, is much less common on sale and is not in such high demand as its relative. After all, it is not distinguished by its universal application.
Red heads of cabbage have a slightly bitter taste
Which cabbage is healthier: white or red cabbage
You also need to figure out whether purple cabbage or white cabbage is healthier, and find out what the calorie content of each vegetable is.
According to experts, both of these vegetables are high in fiber. This means that they have a beneficial effect on the digestive system. Also, red cabbage, like white cabbage, contains anti-cancer compounds. However, their chemical composition has certain differences.
Red cabbage, unlike white cabbage, contains eight times more anthocyanins. And these substances help not only fight cancer cells, but also slow down the aging process. Unlike the white cabbage variety, the purple variety contains a higher concentration of vitamin A, B6, and also contains more ascorbic acid and minerals. But this product contains less folic acid.
The calorie content of white heads of cabbage per 100 g is 28 kcal, and of red heads – 26 kcal. Therefore, they are both dietary products.
Which cabbage to choose
When choosing, you should consider what the vegetable is needed for. If it is used for preparing first and second courses, pickling, pickling, it is better to give preference to white cabbage.And if you need to prepare a fresh salad, then the red type of vegetable is suitable for this.
Conclusion
Red cabbage differs from white cabbage much more than it might seem at first glance. Therefore, when choosing, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of both vegetables so that the benefit from them to the body is maximum. Therefore, despite the differences, each of these products is recommended to be included in the diet, which will significantly strengthen the immune system and prevent vitamin deficiency.
