Cabbage Variety Information
Deadon (F1)
Deadon is bred by Bejo Seeds and can be purchased from a number of different seed companies.
savoy type
purple wrapper leaves with green interior
When to Find: Late December to February
Wirosa (F1)
Wirosa is bred by Bejo Seeds. We got our seed from Fedco Seeds, but the variety is not currently listed in their catalog.
late-season savoy type
brilliant green color
high quality, dense heads
When to Find: December - February
January King
The history of January King can be traced back over a century to northern Europe. We got our seed from Territorial Seeds, but the variety is available from many different vendors.
savoy type
purple wrapper leaves with green interior
When to Find: November - January
Chef Wastell’s Notes: “January King cabbage delivers rich, robustly sweet flavor and seemingly endlessly adaptable texture.”
“The most deliciously ‘meaty’ cabbage that I’ve worked with thus far.”
“Bittersweet, savory and slightly piquant when sliced thinly and simply dressed with lemon and dill.”
“Both slow grilling halved cabbages and roasting wedges in hot cast iron with a quick trip to a hot oven are successful to the point that one may not want to venture further than a drizzle of spicy olive oil or an anchovy heavy herb salsa to compliment January King’s balance of deeply caramelized flavor and resilient texture.”
Marabel (F1)
Marabel cabbage comes from Tozer Seeds. It is described as an improved hybrid version of January King. After trialing, we echo that statement because of better quality, higher yields, and a longer harvest window.
savoy type
purple wrapper leaves with green interior
When to Find: Late November - February
Winter King (OP)
Winter King is an English heritage variety that caught the attention of local farmers and seed growers because it was a cold-hardy, open-pollinated, savoy cabbage. We got our seed from Adaptive Seeds, who introduced the variety to the PNW after dozens of trials.
savoy type
somewhat variable in appearance
When to Find: November - January
Chef Wastell’s Notes: “Shimmering savoyed, deep green outer leaves of ‘Winter King’ cabbage hide sweetly delicious and delicate flavor with superbly versatile texture.”
“An incredibly diverse range of flavors and textures are ready to be easily discovered in this savoy cabbage king.”
“Heads of medium density, feeling lightweight for their size, unraveled into sweet, balanced, slightly ‘hot’ leaves that ran a broad breadth of textural possibilities. Outermost leaves were fantastic for braising and cabbage rolls, and the inner leaves appeared almost blanched to the point of very light yellow color and exceptionally tender texture - perfect for composed December salads.”
Mammoth Red Rock (OP)
Mammoth Red Rock is a legend that dates back to 1889. it was one described as the “surest red cabbage ever produced.” In a market dominated by hybrid varieties, Mammoth Red Rock still seems to hold its own, producing some of the heaviest heads in our trials. We got our seed from Fedco Seeds, but the variety is available from many different vendors.
smooth-leaved
red-purple throughout
heavy, dense heads
When to Find: Late November - February
Culinary Notes: Having been around for over a century, Mammoth Red Rock has earned a reputation for being very versatile. It is a particular favorite for pickling, braising, and stir frys.
Noelle (F1)
Noelle is another hybrid variety bred and sourced from British company Tozer Seeds.
savoy type
purple wrapper leaves with green interior
When to Find: November - February
Chef Wastell’s Notes: “Visually stunning, layering a dark purple blush against glowing green color variations, ‘Noelle’ cabbage offers complex flavor, sturdy texture, and incredible culinary versatility in an eloquent package.”
“Tightly packed heads, quite heavy for their size yield a sizable but tender core, and when prepared raw, produce bright, lightly piquant flavor and texture that holds up well in lightly dressed slaw-type salads as well as ‘quick’ kraut applications”
“A hot wood-fire grill proved a personal favorite - resulting in crispy charred halves of cabbage with meltingly tender centers, and pan roasting wedges while basting occasionally with butter allowed for an intensely savory and meaty supper centerpiece.”
Ruby Perfection (F1)
Bred by Takii & Co, Ltd. We got our seed from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, but there are multiple US vendors.
smooth-leaved
red-purple throughout
heavy, dense heads
When to Find: December - February