This article provides an overview of arugula, what it tastes like, its availability, alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make arugula substitutes.
What is Arugula?
Arugula is an edible annual plant that is cultivated for its leaves. It is native to the Mediterranean region, specifically from Morocco to Portugal, as well as Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt.
It has been commonly used as far back as the Roman times in salads, nowadays it is also a popular addition to pizzas and pasta.
What does Arugula taste like?
Arugula has a fresh and peppery flavor with slightly spicy, tarty, and bitter undertones. The leaves are tender with a delicately crisp stem, much like raw spinach.
Is Arugula readily available in Supermarkets?
Arugula should be readily available in supermarkets, usually found in the refrigerated section of the fresh produce.
What are some alternative names for Arugula?
Arugula is the term often used in American English, while in British English, arugula is more commonly known as rocket or rocket lettuce.
Other common names include garden rocket, Eruca, ruchetta, rucola, rucoli, colewort, roquette and rugula.
What is a good substitute for Arugula in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for arugula. These include:
- Watercress
- Radicchio
- Purslane
- Escarole
- Baby Spinach
- Baby Kale
- Dandelion Greens
- Parsley