What is Horseradish Root?
Horseradish is a vegetable which is cultivated for its distinctively flavored root, which in no way resembles a horse. If you’re wondering about the inclusion of “horse” in horseradish, it dates to the late 1500s, when “horse” was used to infer that something was extremely strong or coarse. Horseradish root is certainly powerful in flavor, and it was a common condiment among the lower classes, who are often considered coarse. Horseradish root is a very popular condiment in many parts of the world, including the United States, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Many stores sell prepared horseradish root, consisting of the ground or grated root pickled in vinegar. In some regions of the world, it is also possible to find whole roots at the market.
