What is horseradish?
A: Horseradish is a perennial plant of the family Brassicaceae.
It is a root vegetable, cultivated and used worldwide
as a what?
A: A spice and as a condiment.
The species is probably native to where?
A: Southeastern Europe and western Asia.
Horseradish grows up to how tall?
A: 1.5 meters (5 feet).
It has hairless bright green unlobed leaves up to how
long that may be mistaken for docks?
A: 1 m (3 ft 3 in).
It is cultivated primarily for its what?
A: Large, white, tapered root.
The white four-petalled flowers are what?
A: Scented and are borne in dense panicles.
Established plants may form what?
A: Extensive patches and may become invasive unless carefully managed.
Intact horseradish root has little what?
A: Aroma.
When cut or grated, enzymes from within the plant cells
digest sinigrin (a glucosinolate) to produce allyl isothiocyanate (mustard
oil), which does what?
A: It irritates the mucous membranes of the sinuses and eyes.
Once exposed to air or heat, horseradish loses its
what?
A: Pungency, darkens in
color, and develops a bitter flavor.
Where does a mural show the plant?
A: in Pompeii.
Both root and leaves were used as a traditional what
during the Middle Ages?
A: Medicine.
Where was the root used as a condiment on meats?
A: In Germany, Scandinavia, and Britain.
When was it was introduced to North America?
A: During European colonization; both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson
mention horseradish in garden accounts.
Native Americans used it to do what?
A: Stimulate the glands, stave off scurvy, and as a diaphoretic treatment
for the common cold.
Horseradish is perennial in what hardiness zones?
A: Zones 2–9 and can be grown as an annual in other zones.
What is done after the first frost in autumn kills the
leaves?
A: The root is dug and divided.
The main root is harvested, and one or more large
offshoots of the main root are what?
A: Replanted to produce next year's crop.
Horseradish left undisturbed in the garden spreads how?
A: Via underground shoots and can become invasive.
What is the pungent ingredient in fresh horseradish
sauce?
A: Allyl isothiocyanate.
The allyl isothiocyanate serves the plant as a what?
A: A natural defense against herbivores.
Cooks may use the terms "horseradish" or "prepared
horseradish" to refer to what?
A: The mashed (or grated) root of the horseradish plant mixed with vinegar.
Prepared horseradish is what color?
A: White to creamy beige in color.
The leaves of the plant are what?
A: Edible, either cooked or raw when young, with a flavor similar but weaker
than the roots.
A variation of horseradish sauce, which in some cases
may substitute the vinegar with other products like lemon juice or citric
acid, is known in Germany as what?
A: Tafelmeerrettich.
In the US, the term "horseradish sauce" refers to what?
A: Grated horseradish combined with mayonnaise or
salad dressing.
In Denmark it is mixed with what?
A: Whipping cream and as such used on top of traditional Danish open
sandwiches with beef (boiled or steaked) slices.
Prepared horseradish is a common ingredient in type of
cocktails?
A: Bloody Mary’s.
Horseradish cream is a mixture of what?
A: Horseradish and sour cream and is served au jus for a prime rib dinner.