Pointed cabbage (''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''capitata'' f. ''acuta''), also known as cone, sweetheart, hispi or sugarloaf cabbage is a form of

cabbage Cabbage, comprising several cultivars of '' Brassica oleracea'', is a leafy green, red (purple), or white (pale green) biennial plant grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads. It is descended from the wild cabbage ( ''B.& ...

(''

Brassica oleracea ''Brassica oleracea'', also known as wild cabbage in its uncultivated form, is a plant of the family Brassicaceae. The species originated from feral populations of related plants in the Eastern Mediterranean, where it was most likely first cultiv ...

'') with a tapering shape and large delicate leaves varying in colour from yellowish to blue-green. It tastes less pronounced and more delicate than common white cabbage (''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''capitata'' f. ''alba''). It is the earliest cabbage, grown for sale in the UK from May to November but it is grown in Spain from November to April. In Northern Bohemia, red pointed cabbage is used to make ''Kysané zelí'', fermenting being started just by adding salt and producing red

sauerkraut Sauerkraut (; , ) is finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by various lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor, both of which result from the lactic acid formed when the bacteria ferment the sugar ...

. Production of pointed cabbage is on the decrease because white cabbage produces higher yields and is easier to process owing to its round shape. Pointed cabbage can be used like

Savoy cabbage Savoy cabbage (''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''sabauda'' L. or ''Brassica oleracea'' Savoy Cabbage Group) is a variety or cultivar group of the plant species ''Brassica oleracea''. Savoy cabbage is a winter vegetable and one of several cabbage vari ...

or white cabbage but needs less cooking because of its more delicate leaves. It can also be eaten raw and is suitable for

salads A salad is a Dish (food), dish consisting of mixed ingredients, frequently vegetables. They are typically served chilled or at room temperature, though some can be served warm. Condiments called ''salad dressings'', which exist in a variety of ...

Filderkraut

Filderkraut is a variety of pointed cabbage grown in the

Filder The Filder (; plural) – also Filder Plain () – is a natural region (major unit no. 106) of the Swabian Keuper-Lias Land within the South German Scarplands. They form a gently rolling, fertile plateau in the German state of Baden-Württemberg ...

, a fertile plain with

loess A loess (, ; from ) is a clastic rock, clastic, predominantly silt-sized sediment that is formed by the accumulation of wind-blown dust. Ten percent of Earth's land area is covered by loesses or similar deposition (geology), deposits. A loess ...

soils south of

Stuttgart Stuttgart (; ; Swabian German, Swabian: ; Alemannic German, Alemannic: ; Italian language, Italian: ; ) is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Baden-Württemberg by population, largest city of the States of Germany, German state of ...

. It has large, compact heads consisting of fine leaves and is mainly used for making

. Since 24 Oktober 2012 Filderkraut / Filderspitzkraut has been registered in the EU as a

protected designation of origin The protected designation of origin (PDO) is a type of geographical indication of the European Union aimed at preserving the designations of origin of food-related products. The designation was created in 1992 and its main purpose is to designat ...

EU Regulation A regulation is a legal act of the European Union which becomes immediately enforceable as law in all member states simultaneously. Regulations can be distinguished from directives which, at least in principle, need to be transposed into nation ...

2012/975 () Many companies in the Filder cultivate their own varieties and produce their own seeds. In order to develop seeds the tip of the head must be cut off and a cross-shaped incision made in order for the flowers to develop. Sauerkraut made from pointed cabbage is produced for sale by only a few companies. Filderkraut plays a large role in local culture and cuisine and is served at the

Cannstatter Volksfest The Cannstatter Volksfest is an annual three-week Volksfest (beer festival and travelling funfair) in Stuttgart, Germany. It is sometimes also referred to by foreign visitors as the Stuttgart Beer Festival, although it is actually more of an au ...

. The Filder pointed cabbage ''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''capitata'' fo. ''alba'' subfo. ''conica'' has been included in th

Ark of Taste The Ark of Taste is an international catalogue of endangered heritage foods which is maintained by the global Slow Food movement. The Ark is designed to preserve at-risk foods that are sustainably produced, unique in taste, and part of a distin ...

by the Slow Food movement.

External links

Filderkraut marketing organisation
(in German)

References

{{reflist Food plant cultivars Leaf vegetables Slow Food