Watercress

$5.95 $3.57 excl GST

Watercress, Nasturtium officinale, is a plant which grows in water. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family

Category Leafy greens

Description

Around 400 BC on the Island of Kos, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, is said to have located his first hospital beside a stream so that he could grow a plentiful supply of watercress to help treat his patients.
The Romans called it “nasturtium” which means “twisted nose”.
Napoleon was a huge watercress enthusiast.
The plant’s heyday was during the Victorian period when the development of the railway allowed tons of the plant to be transported up to Covent Garden Market.

People grow them for eating, often in salad or sandwiches. They have a peppery flavour and are fast-growing. Watercress is related to the cabbage and mustard plants. Watercress is also known as tall nasturtium. This plant grows well in cold water. That's why you will find it near water like a ditch.

Watercress packs have a lot of nutrients. Iron, potassium and vitamins C and E are a few. Watercress also helps with skin problems. It keeps the skin very clarified. Watercress is used in many recipes. You can use it to make a sandwich or in soup.