Tree Cabbage

Tree cabbage, also known as Portuguese cabbage, started its journey to the Americas during the Great Spice Trade in the 16th century. Originating in Madeira, this unique variety of cabbage became popular among Portuguese sailors due to its ability to withstand long sea voyages without wilting. It was during this period that tree cabbage began its migration from the Mediterranean to the Americas.

As European powers expanded their colonial reach, the Portuguese introduced tree cabbage to their colonies in Africa and Brazil. The plant thrived in the tropical climates of these regions, further spreading its cultivation. With the transatlantic slave trade in full force, tree cabbage likely made its way to the Americas alongside enslaved Africans who brought with them a rich agricultural knowledge.

Over the centuries, tree cabbage became ingrained in the culinary traditions of the Americas, particularly in the Caribbean and parts of South America. Its journey from the Mediterranean to the Americas shaped not only the cuisines of these regions but also the agricultural landscape, illustrating the complex interplay of trade, slavery, and cultural exchange in shaping the modern world.