Cress is available in many varieties

Content

• Cress is available in many varieties
• The three best known types of cress
• Garden cress (Lepidium sativum)
• Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)
• Numerous cresses from Japan
• Healthy herbs from the cultivation in the garden or house
• Tips & Tricks

Cress is available in many varieties

If you thought cress was cress, you are wrong. There are a variety of cresses that differ in leaf color, size and taste. For gourmets, it's worth experimenting with the different types of cresses.

Next article Sowing cress - delicious herbs from our own production

The three best known types of cress

The three main types of cress are:

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum)

Garden cress is most often sown in gardens and on the windowsill. She develops the smallest leaves and the tenderest plantlets.

Garden cress germinates very quickly and can be harvested within a few days on the windowsill and within one to two weeks outdoors. The seeds of garden cress are often already consumed as sprouts. The leaves have a slightly spicy taste that reminds a bit of mustard.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

Watercress is one of the aquatic plants. It also grows on very wet soil. For sowing on the windowsill, this type of cress is not suitable.

The leaves are larger than those of garden cress and the plant grows slightly higher.

From the watercress only the leaves are consumed. They have a slightly spicy taste.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum)

Nasturtium is planted primarily as an ornamental plant because of its decorative leaves and the very pretty, yellow-orange-red flowers.

The leaves are edible. They have a mild aromatic taste. The flowers can also be consumed. Often they are used for decoration on salads and soups. The seeds of nasturtium serve as a substitute for capers and are cooked in dishes such as chicken fricassee.

Numerous cresses from Japan

In Japan, cress has always been considered a delicacy. Here not only green cresses, but also reddish and brown-violet varieties are bred.

Healthy herbs from the cultivation in the garden or house

All types of cress are also used as natural remedies because of their numerous ingredients. They contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Cress has an appetizing effect and protects the immune system. Especially in winter, herbs help to ensure the supply of vitamin C.

Tips & Tricks

Plant the selected cresses once in a sunny and once shady spot. You will be surprised what different flavors of a variety can emerge.