Brussels Sprouts

Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera

Brussels sprouts are small, dense cabbage buds that grow along a tall stalk. Their flavor is more assertive and nuttier than head cabbage.¹

Connections

They are close relatives of cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower—all different cultivated forms of Brassica oleracea. Like those vegetables, they contain glucosinolates, sulfur-rich compounds involved in brassica defense chemistry.²

Further notes

The individual sprouts are axillary buds: compact heads that form where leaves meet the main stalk. They tolerate several moderate freezes in Maine.³

Footnotes

1. University of Maine Cooperative Extension, “Food & Nutrition for the Home Gardener,” accessed July 17, 2026. ↩

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, “Glucosinolates,” accessed July 17, 2026. ↩

3. University of Maine Cooperative Extension, “Maine Harvest for Hunger: Produce Tips,” accessed July 17, 2026. ↩