Worlds of Kraut

Cabbage and kale, once considered the poor man’s vegetables, have left the cellars and rent for storing cabbage behind and made their way into the hipster lofts of London and the gourmet eateries of Berlin: kale and pak choi, white cabbage, savoy cabbage and broccoli are now celebrated superfoods.

From ancient Kerguelen cabbage, elegant sweetheart cabbage to Flower Sprouts as the most recent varieties, Angelika Overath guides us through a short cultural history of these beneficial vegetables. She illustrates the legendary healing properties of the plant, which have been passed down since Antiquity, and recalls James Cook’s expeditions to the South Pacific, whose success was owed to sauerkraut. She reveals tried and tested recipes to help with arthrosis and weight loss, recounts personal experiences and dedicates affectionate portraits to the beauty and special nature of cabbage plants.

»Rarely has a vegetable been more topical, more political.« Süddeutsche Zeitung

»Unfortunately, there is not enough space [here] to praise this book.« Welt am Sonntag

»This compact cultural history of cabbage and co., told in short chapters, digressions, historical observations on the development of the different varieties and interspersed vignettes, is almost as exciting as a thriller – and as hands-on as a cookbook.« Edith Fritschi, Schaffhauser Nachrichten

»Angelika Overath’s Worlds of Kraut is an extraordinary new book. On 100 pages she shows that cabbage plants are far more than just vegetables.« Fadrina Hofmann, Bündner Zeitung

»[Angelika Overath] reveals tried and tested recipes that help with arthrosis and weight loss, talks about her personal experience with cabbage and devotes loving portraits to the beauty and the special nature of cabbage plants. All this is packaged in a beautifully designed volume with many historical illustrations.« Elisabeth Adam, Kräuterwind

»... a treasure trove of fascinating information!« Bücherrundschau