GANHWA-GUN SPECIALIZED CROP CYBER PR CENTER

Scientific name: Brassica Rapa. L.(or B.Rapa hortenisis. L)
English: Turnio
Name in Chinese literature: 乩綮
Korean name: Soonmoo
Classification: Belongs to the crucifer of dicots by vegetable classification system

Ganghwa Turnip

Turnip has its origin in the west-east coast of Europe, the semi-temperate zones. It is known, in Korea, to has been cultivated from the era of the Three States. Old literature reads that turnip, in Ganghwa island, has been cultivated from the middle of Joseon Dynasty. It is told that turnip Kimchi was offered up to the King. Ganghwa turnip has top-like circular shape and light gray or purple-white color. It is one of the most common vegetables as Kimchi materials in Ganghwa area.

Turnip has its origin in the west-east coast of Europe, the semi-temperate zones (Some people argue that it is Afghistan). It is known, in Korea, to has been cultivated from the era of the Three States.(From 1,000 years ago, it was recorded in Yayong Hyangyakjipseongbang, Dongeuibogam, Bonchogangmok, Byunjeungbangyakhappyun, Byunjeungbangyakjeongjeon, Wangsilyangmyungsul etc.) Its species are western, middle and traditional kind. Ganghwa turnip is classified into dark color and light color.

Ganghwa Turnip

Turnip was recorded in Dongeuibogam as ‘Mancheong (乩絷)’ While it is also named as ‘Ganghwa radish ’ in Ganghwa area, it is not true to the systematic botany. The chromosome number of turnip is ‘n=10’, same to cabbage, on the other hand, radish is n=9. Ganghwa turnip has very unique taste, so the men who get familiar with it cannot help being addicted to its taste. Its taste is sweet in general and mustard-ginseng, so reminds the memory of cabbage root. As it has no hot taste but cool feeling, it is enough to give a feeling of refreshment. In terms of pharmacology, its prominent efficacies have been recorded in various books from old times to modern times. Dongeuibogam of Heo Jun, for example, reads that turnip tastes sweet, is good for five viscera, helps digestion and solves swelling. Turnip grows typically in spring and fall. Both spring and fall turnip has the same taste and efficacy. Especially, every turnip Kimchies that are made of pickled large-eyed herring, pickled shrimp (Ganghwa special products) etc., surely are very unusual foods.