Armoracia rusticana
Family: Mustard ( Brassicaceae)
Family: Mustard ( Brassicaceae)
Synonyms: red cole, cran, cranson, meredic, rabano picante
Form of use : root, fresh, whole and grated, as a paste, dried, as powder or in flakes, ground, in powder or pickled.
Origin : Grows in the steppes of eastern Russia and Ukraine. It is cultivated all over Europe, Asia, and North America.
Aroma : Sharp and acrid. Fresh-grated horse radish fills the eyes with tears.
Use : Essensial spice in Bavarian and Austrian cuisines. Horseradish is added to beef dishes and goes well with hearty stews and soups.
Buying/storing : Horseradish roots should be used fresh immediately after digging. Should remain whole if stored. The white flesh should not be grayish. The root cannot have more than two heads and should weight at least 6 oz. Fresh horseradish is available from Oktaober to March. You can store it in cold cellar or in the refridgerator. You should use bottled horseradish during the rest of the year. Horseradish powder and flakes are rarely available.
Properties: Horseradish is a perennial plant up to 4 feet high. The horseradish herbaceous stems – rhizomes – are 12-16 inches, exceptionally even up to 24 inches long and 2-21/2 long inches thick. The end of the root has side sprouts, which are removed by horseradish growers. It is very hard manual work to dig out and replant the main root twice during its growth time. Horseradish contains twice more vitamin C than lemon. It is rich in vitamins B1, B2, and B6 as well as in mineral substances like potassium, magnesium and iron. Essential oils are responsible for its distinctive taste.
Related species: Horseradish is related to vegetable radish. Daikon radish, used mainly in Asian cuisine, belongs to the family of winter radish. Wasabi, sometimes called green horseradish, is not related.
Mythology: magic powers are attributed to horseradish.
Medicinal Use: Horseradish aids immunity and insulates against the cold. It promotes digestion and blood circulation and decreases blood pressure. Used externally, it soothes rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica and insect bites. It relieves headache and other light strains as well.
Tips for cooking
Horseradish powder and flakes must be mixed with water. The potency of horseradish roots peaks at harvest time in the fall and then gradually decreases. Pay attention to this fact when cooking with fresh horseradish.
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