Four different types of vegetables are called beets. The garden beet, or beetroot, is grown for its edible reddish root. The sugar beet is second only to sugarcane as a source of the world's sugar. Swiss chard, or the leaf beet, is grown for its edible leaves, and the mangel-wurzel, or mangold, is fed to animals. All of these beets are varieties of the same plant, which scientists call Beta vulgaris. It is related to spinach.

Where beets are grown

Beets grow wild in parts of Europe, Asia, and the East Indies. They are raised as a crop in Europe, Asia, and North America. Garden beets grow best in areas with cool weather. They grow well in salty soil. Sugar beets can be grown in colder climates. France, Germany, and the United States are among the world leaders in the production of sugar beets. Minnesota, North Dakota, and Idaho lead most other U.S. states in growing sugar beets.

Physical features and life cycle

The beet plant is a biennial, which means that it takes two years to complete its life cycle. The root forms in the first year. In garden beets, the thick, fleshy root is usually round and measures 1 to 4 inches (2.5 to 10 centimeters) across when fully grown. Some roots are long and flattened. Garden-beet roots are usually red or purplish red. The roots of sugar beets are white, and those of mangel-wurzels are yellowish. Swiss chard does not produce thick roots.

In the second year of the plant's life, a tall, leafy stem grows. The stem bears clusters of small green flowers that develop into brown fruits commonly called seedballs. The seeds are generally used to grow the next crop. Swiss chard has especially large leaves, which grow from thick stalks.

Uses

The ancient Romans grew the beet plant only for its leaves at first. Garden beet greens are a good source of iron, riboflavin (vitamin B₂), and vitamins A and C. Later on it was discovered that the root is also good to eat. Beetroot is often canned, sometimes in pickled form. A beet soup called borscht is popular in Eastern Europe. Swiss chard leaves are used like spinach, and the stems are eaten in the same way as asparagus. Mangel-wurzels do not appeal to humans as food, so they are used mostly for feeding cattle.

The sugar beet is the most valuable beet variety. It was grown as a garden vegetable and as animal feed long before it was valued for its sugar content. A German chemist first produced sugar from beets in 1747. In the early 19th century the French emperor Napoleon made the first big push to grow and process sugar beets. France was at war with Great Britain, and the British had cut off France's supply of sugarcane. Eventually other countries began to produce sugar beets. Today beet sugar accounts for about one third of total world sugar production. (See also sugar.)