Brussels sprouts are a food that people either love or hate. Some people can’t seem to get enough of them, while others seem to avoid them at all costs. This is likely due to the fact that some people are genetically predisposed to not taste the bitter flavor of Brussels sprouts. In fact, it’s estimated that approximately 30% of all people can’t taste this vegetable’s bitterness.

So, we’re going to take a wild guess and say that not everyone is going to take the time to observe Eat Brussels Sprouts Day. This holiday is observed annually on the 31st of January and encourages everyone to eat some of these vegetables. We’re sure that’s an invitation some people are going to politely decline.

The History of Eat Brussels Sprouts Day

Brussels sprouts were enjoyed during the 5th century in Northern Europe, but there weren’t any written accounts describing them until the 16th century. This is when they became extremely popular in the Netherlands. French settlers brought Brussels sprouts to Louisiana during the 18th century, and by the early 20th century, they had already been established as a cash crop in California. Currently, the United States produces over 32,000 tons of Brussels sprouts.

So, who was the maniac who invented Eat Brussels Sprouts Day? We’re unsure, but they must’ve really loved these vegetables because they created a whole holiday around them. We do know that this holiday has been around for a few years now, but we’re unsure of just how long. We’ll continue to do our due diligence and attempt to uncover who invented this holiday, but at this moment, it doesn’t look like we’re going to find any answers.

Some Delicious Brussels Sprout Facts

Let’s take a look at the following Brussels sprout facts and see if we can find out anything new about these “little cabbages.”

• They were a popular crop in Brussels during the 16th century — hence their name.
• There’s such a thing as purple Brussels sprouts. They were developed during the 1940s.
• Brussels sprouts have only about 26 calories per cup.

Observing Eat Brussels Sprouts Day

If a person is observing this holiday, then they’re probably already planning on eating some Brussels sprouts; otherwise, they wouldn’t be observing this holiday at all. Of course, Brussels sprouts are highly nutritious, and we encourage anyone who can stomach them to add them to their diet not only on this holiday but all year round. Regardless of whether a person is planning on observing this holiday or not, they can take the time to use the hashtag #BrusselsSproutsDay on social media to spread the word about it.