Question 1

True or false: Brussels sprouts are a hybrid of cabbage and kale.

Accepted Answer

False. They’re not a hybrid; Brussels sprouts are a cultivar of the same species as cabbage, kale, and broccoli—Brassica oleracea.

Question 2

True or false: Brussels sprouts grow on a tall, thick stalk, not on individual stems.

Accepted Answer

True. They sprout along a central stalk that can reach 2–3 feet tall, looking like a green, bumpy club before harvesting.

Question 3

True or false: Roasting Brussels sprouts creates a chemical that makes them taste sweeter.

Accepted Answer

True. Roasting triggers the Maillard reaction, which caramelizes natural sugars and reduces bitterness, making them sweeter and nuttier.

Question 4

True or false: Brussels sprouts were first cultivated in ancient Rome.

Accepted Answer

False. They were developed in 13th-century Belgium, not ancient Rome. Romans grew other Brassica varieties but not these mini cabbages.

Question 5

True or false: The compound that makes Brussels sprouts bitter is more potent in modern varieties.

Accepted Answer

False. Modern breeding has actually reduced bitterness by lowering glucosinolate levels. Older varieties were much more bitter.

Question 6

True or false: Gram for gram, Brussels sprouts contain more vitamin C than oranges.

Accepted Answer

True. By weight, Brussels sprouts have about 85mg of vitamin C per 100g, while oranges have around 53mg. They’re a surprising citrus rival.

Question 7

True or false: Frozen Brussels sprouts often have more vitamin C than fresh ones.

Accepted Answer

True. Frozen sprouts are flash-frozen soon after harvest, locking in vitamin C, while fresh ones lose it during transport and storage.

Question 8

True or false: Belgium is the world's largest producer of Brussels sprouts.

Accepted Answer

False. The Netherlands is the top producer, not Belgium, though the vegetable is named after Brussels, where it was popularized.

Brussels Sprout Trivia Questions