It is no secret – a brussel Sprout is a type of vegetable that not everybody enjoys. Young and old, people have been disliking this little round green vegetable for hundreds of years.
Many parents have struggled to feed their children brussel sprouts, while teenagers and adults alike have left the sprouts sitting on their dish untouched at dinnertime.
The above are familiar scenes for many, but why is that so?
Brussel sprouts have a bitter taste. However, depending on how it is cooked or what it is seasoned with, this bitter taste can be dampened by other flavors.
However, in some cases the brussel sprouts can still taste very bitter despite the home chef trying to do their best.
If you have never had a brussel sprout before, or you can’t quite pick up the taste, then read on to find out the question to: what does a brussel sprout taste like?
What Is A Brussel Sprout?
You might have heard on the grapevine that brussel sprouts are cute, mini cabbages. But let’s get one thing straight before we move on – they are most definitely not mini sized cabbages.
However, while they do look very similar, their taste is not.
People have been eating brussel sprouts in Europe as early as the 5th century – or at least this is as far as people have been able to find out that they did. It could have been much earlier.
In the 13th century, brussel sprouts began to be cultivated in Brussels, Belgium. So, yes, you were probably right, the name of the vegetable did come from the place of the same name.
Despite half of the population hating these veggies, and the other half loving them, the vegetable has done very well. It is still used in many dishes today, and there are those that absolutely love them.
Which side are you on?
What Does A Brussel Sprout Taste Like?
The flavor of a brussel sprout depends on two factors: whether you are eating them cooked or raw. And when we say cooked, we mean cooked well!
Even so, while one person might like the flavor of brussel sprouts, another can find them absolutely icky. It really is that extreme with this kind of vegetable!
If you decide to chomp down on a raw brussel sprout, then you will be met with a very bitter taste that will last in your mouth a lot longer than the sprout did. However, while this bitter taste is hated by many, there are those that can’t get enough of it.
Once cooked however, brussels sprouts often take on a sweeter flavor, especially if they are roasted. The vegetable also becomes firmer too, rather than crunchy like it is when it is raw.
For the closest taste comparison when a brussel sprout is cooked, it can taste like a cabbage. Suppose they do have something in common, then!
Also, if they aren’t cooked well, then they can still have a bitter taste and feel hard. So, maybe that is why you haven’t liked them in the past? Or if you haven’t had one before, if you like to eat cabbage, then try them, you might enjoy the flavor.
Are There Any Health Benefits To Brussel Sprouts?
If you have been avoiding trying brussel sprouts, then you might think differently after reading about their nutritious health benefits. While they are essentially small green round balls, they are packed full of good stuff.
Brussel sprouts are very high in both antioxidants and nutrients. Antioxidants are needed to help protect against certain cancers and UV rays emitted from the sun, as well as everyday pollution.
These green veggies are also very high fiber which is essential for helping us be more regular with our bowel movements.
They are also high in vitamin K too, which helps wounds to clot and heal. So, have you decided to bite the bullet and try eating brussel sprouts yet?
What Is The Best Way To Cook A Brussel Sprout?
Cooking brussels sprouts shouldn’t be a challenge, however, you will know how well you did by how they taste.
That’s because a well cooked brussel sprout is sweeter in flavor and it has some firmness without being too hard or too soft.
If the brussel sprout is bitter, it means it still has some rawness to it. This is the flavor you will want to avoid, especially if you or somebody else is new to eating these veggies.
A lot of people like to roast their brussel sprouts. When they do this, they often serve them mixed in with other flavors. While it will not disguise the flavor fully, it is a good way to get somebody to eat them.
Try roasting these veggies with different spices, or add them to chopped bacon for a salty seasoning. They do well in a creamy sauce too.
When this type of vegetable has char on it, it can bring out the sweetness. If you are a confident cook, why not give that a go?
What Are Brussel Sprouts Served With?
Brussel sprouts are often either a side dish, eaten with many vegetables on the plate, or put with a salad. They can be enjoyable to consume, despite their reputation.
However, it is often what you serve them with that helps them to be a star of the show. For example, brussel sprouts are served well with:
Bacon
Mustard
Apples
Smoked paprika
Fish sauce
Miso paste
Worcestershire sauce
Honey
Beef
However, this list is not exhaustive. Brussel sprouts go well with so many different types of dishes and flavors, from all types of meat to omelets, hamburgers, rice dishes, soups, stir-fries, and even putting them into a smoothie.
However, always make sure you cook them well when putting them into a smoothie, otherwise it will taste very bitter!
Final Thoughts
Brussel sprouts are the kind of vegetable that one person absolutely hates, and another person can’t get enough of them.
When it comes down to the flavor of brussel sprouts, it is all to do with how they are cooked and what other flavors they are served with.
A raw brussel sprout is much firmer in texture and it tastes very bitter. The majority of people, even those who love sprouts, cannot eat this kind of raw vegetable.
However, once the brussel sprout has been cooked, it takes on a whole new flavor profile. It becomes softer in texture, but it also tastes sweet. In fact, the longer you cook brussel sprouts the gooier and sweeter they become.
Some people might hate this kind of brussel sprout, and prefer to cook these kinds of veggies to their ‘sweet spot’. This is when they are not too firm or too soft, and have a sweetness to them rather than a bitterness.
If you have never tried a brussel sprout before, then you may not want to cook it yourself – that is unless you have found a recipe that does these green balls justice.
Do avoid steaming brussel sprouts if you are a newbie, as it is likely they might still be on the bitter side.
What Does A Brussel Sprout Taste Like? Does It Taste Good?
Recipe by AubreyCourse: Taste Like
Servings
4
servings
Prep time
30
minutes
Cooking time
40
minutes
Calories
300
kcal
Ingredients
Brussel Sprout
Directions
That’s because a well cooked brussel sprout is sweeter in flavor and it has some firmness without being too hard or too soft.
A lot of people like to roast their brussel sprouts. When they do this, they often serve them mixed in with other flavors. While it will not disguise the flavor fully, it is a good way to get somebody to eat them.
Try roasting these veggies with different spices, or add them to chopped bacon for a salty seasoning. They do well in a creamy sauce too.
When this type of vegetable has char on it, it can bring out the sweetness. If you are a confident cook, why not give that a go?
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
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