Arugula is one of the popular spicy plant herbs that give health benefits and adds a lot of flavors to your foods including soups, stews, salads, and sandwiches. Here are some of the types and varieties of arugula you can plant or consume.
Types of Arugula
Arugula is one of the popular leaf-based foods that has been consumed since 1990. They have been a food source for many countries like Europe and Western Asia, Egyptians, Romans, Israelites, and many more since ancient times. They have different kinds of names like Rocket, Salad Rocket, Roquette, or Rucola and there are two main types of arugula they are as follows:
Wild arugula (Diplotaxis tenuifolia)
Wild arugula also known as Diplotaxis tenuifolia which have jagged, thin leaves and a yellow flower. They take a longer time to mature than other arugula as wild arugula has spicy flavors and is fairly heat resistant. It is known as a wild arugula but nowadays it can be found in most of the grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
Salad arugula
Salad arugula also known as common arugula or Eruca sativa is less spicy than wild arugula and they have round leaves with white flowers. They take a shorter time to mature than wild arugula and are grown in a cool season. They are mostly planted in spring or fall and can be grown in mild winters. Most of the arugula plant parts can be consumed from the flowers to the tasty seed pods, but they are usually grown for their peppery-flavored leaves.
Different Varieties of Arugula
1. Astro
Astro is one of the most famous varieties of the arugula family as it has a mild flavor and is not much spicy as other varieties. But if the Astro is planted in heat or hot season they tend to taste more spicy than the cold season Astro.
Astro produces its baby leaves at just three weeks and has to wait 38 days for milder mature leaves. They also produce beautiful white-colored flowers which can also be consumed but after the flowers bloom the leaves of the Astro taste are a little sharper.
2. Garden Tangy
Garden Tangy is well-known for coming directly from Italy, They are one of the perfect plants to garnish all of the Italian-style dishes. Like most of the arugula garden tangy also loves cool weather and sunshine.
Garden Tangy is also a quick maturing variety that just takes 30-35 days and can be plucked 10- to 12-inch leaves from the plant. It is a perfect garnishing plant for pasta dishes, salads, and more that adds a kick of spicy flavor and frilly leaf edges reminiscent.
3. Italian Cress
Italian Cress which has large lettuce-like leaves and is perfect for indoor growth over the winter or if you have a limited space in your garden. They are also an ideal addition to salads and sandwiches.
Italian Cress can mature in just 30 days and can be enjoyed as each leaf provides lots of edible greenery compared to others.
4. Red Dragon
The Red Dragon variety has oak-leaf-shaped leaves with a mildly peppery flavor. They are also a perfect plant for deliciously striking salad.
They can mature in 45 days also known to be slow growers with five to six inches of height at maturity
5. Rocket
Rocket is popular for having a lightly peppery and crisp flavor which goes perfectly for a dream base for any salad.
Rocket matures in 40 days and can grow up to six to 12 inches tall, in sunny or partly shady places.
6. Selvatica
Selvatica is a wild arugula that has small and jagged leaves with yellow-colored flowers. They can even tolerate heat a lot and are native to Europe and Western Asia.
Selvatica can grow up to 10 to 12 inches tall at maturity and is one of the quick-maturing arugula varieties in just 30 days. They can spread up to four to seven inches wide.
7. Slow Bolt
Slow Bolt has a mildly peppery kick which can be consumed raw or in soups, stews, salads, and sandwiches.
Slow Bolt can mature in just 43 days which can be harvested in both baby leaves and large mature leaves with full sun or partial shade.
8. Wasabi
Wasabi is one of the most popular arugula varieties popular for its spice level and sushi. They are most popular in Asia and are an Asian-inspired spic. They love to grow in the spring, summer, and fall also takes a longer time to germinate than other varieties.
Wasabi takes up to 10 to 12 days to germinate properly but they grow spoon-shaped leaves four to five weeks after you plant them.
9. Wild Rocket
Wild Rocket is an arugula variety that is packed with a bold flavor and a weedy look as they have a strong flavor and can also be a perfect substitute for basil in any pesto recipe.
Wild rockets can reach up to 20 inches in height when they are matured properly and take up to 40 days to mature.
FAQs
Q. How Many Types of Arugula Are There?
Two types of arugula are available: Wild arugula and Salad arugula.
Q. What are the Benefits of Eating Arugula?
Weight loss, boosts skin health, improved vision, and increased libido are some of the benefits of eating arugula.
Q. Is Arugula Healthier than Spinach?
No, arugula is not healthier than spinach as spinach is more nutrient-dense than arugula.
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