Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts might seem like distinct vegetables, but they all share a surprising origin—they’re human inventions, created through centuries of selective breeding from the same plant: wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Ancient farmers in the Mediterranean region manipulated this versatile plant for specific traits—thicker stems for kohlrabi, tighter flower buds for broccoli and cauliflower, and compact leaf clusters for Brussels sprouts. None of these vegetables occur naturally in the wild; they are entirely the result of human agricultural ingenuity. This fascinating bit of botanical engineering shows just how much human hands have shaped the foods we eat, transforming one scraggly coastal plant into a diverse family of superfoods.
