What Is Rocket Food? Your Complete Guide to Arugula

Rocket food, also known as arugula in North America, is a leafy green vegetable with a distinctive peppery flavor belonging to the Brassicaceae family. This nutrient-dense salad green provides vitamins K, A, and C while delivering a unique spicy kick that enhances salads, pizzas, and pasta dishes.

Rocket (Eruca vesicaria), commonly called arugula in the United States, isn't actually food for rockets—it's one of the most vibrant and flavorful leafy greens in the culinary world. This fast-growing annual plant has been cherished since Roman times for its distinctive peppery taste and impressive nutritional profile. Whether you're encountering it on a menu or at your local farmers' market, understanding what rocket food is and how to use it can transform your cooking experience.

What Exactly Is Rocket?

Rocket, or rucola as it's known in Italy, is a cruciferous vegetable that shares botanical kinship with broccoli, kale, and cabbage. Unlike its heartier relatives, rocket features delicate, deeply lobed leaves that deliver an immediate peppery sensation followed by subtle nutty undertones. The younger leaves offer a milder flavor perfect for delicate salads, while mature leaves develop a more pronounced spicy character ideal for robust dishes.

The confusion between "rocket" and "arugula" stems from regional naming differences. In the UK, Australia, and most Commonwealth countries, it's universally called rocket. In the United States, the Italian term "arugula" predominates, though food professionals increasingly use both terms interchangeably. Despite the name variation, they refer to the same plant species with minor cultivar differences.

Green Type	Flavor Profile	Best Culinary Uses	Nutrition Highlights
Rocket/Arugula	Peppery, slightly bitter	Salads, pizza topping, pesto	High in vitamin K, folate, calcium
Spinach	Mild, earthy	Cooked dishes, smoothies	High in iron, magnesium
Kale	Bitter, robust	Soups, sautéed dishes	High in vitamins A, C, K
Radicchio	Bitter, slightly sweet	Grilled, roasted	Antioxidants, fiber

The Flavor Journey of Rocket Leaves

What sets rocket apart from other salad greens is its dynamic flavor evolution. When you first taste rocket, you experience an immediate peppery sensation caused by glucosinolates—compounds also found in mustard and horseradish. This initial kick gives way to subtle nutty undertones and a refreshing bitterness that cleanses the palate. The intensity varies significantly based on growing conditions, with plants exposed to more sunlight developing stronger flavors.

Understanding this flavor progression helps you incorporate rocket effectively in your cooking. For delicate applications like topping crostini or garnishing soups, opt for baby rocket leaves which offer milder heat. When creating robust pesto or blending with stronger cheeses like pecorino, mature rocket leaves provide the necessary flavor punch to stand up to bold ingredients.

Historical Timeline of Rocket Consumption

Rocket's culinary journey spans millennia, evolving from ancient medicinal plant to modern superfood:

• Ancient Rome (1st century CE): Romans considered rocket an aphrodisiac and used it in love potions, as documented in historical texts like De Agri Cultura by Cato the Elder
• Middle Ages: Monastic gardens across Europe cultivated rocket for both culinary and medicinal purposes, with references in herbals like Hildegard von Bingen's Physica
• 16th century: Rocket appeared in English herbals like John Gerard's Herball, where it was praised for "provoking lust"
• 20th century: Italian immigrants introduced rocket to America, where it initially struggled to gain popularity
• 1990s-present: Rocket experienced a culinary renaissance as chefs embraced its distinctive flavor, leading to widespread availability in supermarkets

According to research from the University of California's Agriculture and Natural Resources department, rocket's resurgence aligns with growing consumer interest in diverse, nutrient-dense greens beyond traditional lettuce varieties.

Practical Applications in Your Kitchen

Knowing what rocket food is matters less than understanding how to use it effectively. This versatile green shines in multiple applications beyond basic salads:

Perfect Pairings

Rocket's peppery nature creates magical flavor combinations when paired with complementary ingredients:

• Cheese partners: The saltiness of Parmesan or Pecorino Romano balances rocket's heat
• Fruit matches: Sliced pears, figs, or citrus segments provide sweetness that counters bitterness
• Nut companions: Walnuts or pine nuts add texture while their oils mellow the peppery bite
• Dressing dynamics: Lemon-based vinaigrettes enhance rather than mask rocket's natural flavor

When Not to Cook Rocket

Unlike hardier greens, rocket's delicate structure means it wilts almost instantly when exposed to heat. This characteristic creates important context boundaries for its use:

• Raw applications only: Add rocket as a finishing green to pizzas or pastas after cooking
• Quick wilting: If incorporating into warm dishes, toss immediately before serving
• Substitution guidelines: When a recipe specifically calls for rocket's peppery kick, avoid substituting milder greens like butter lettuce

According to culinary research from the Culinary Institute of America, rocket's glucosinolates begin breaking down at temperatures above 140°F (60°C), significantly reducing both its distinctive flavor and nutritional benefits.

Nutritional Powerhouse

Beyond its culinary appeal, rocket delivers impressive health benefits. A single 2-ounce (56g) serving provides:

• 106% of your daily vitamin K requirement (essential for blood clotting and bone health)
• 24% of daily vitamin A (supports vision and immune function)
• 14% of daily folate (crucial for cell division and DNA synthesis)
• Significant calcium and potassium content

The USDA FoodData Central database confirms rocket contains higher concentrations of certain phytochemicals compared to other salad greens, particularly erucin and sulforaphane, which research suggests may offer protective effects against certain chronic diseases.

Selecting and Storing Rocket Properly

Maximize your rocket experience by following these professional selection and storage techniques:

At the Market

• Look for crisp, vibrant green leaves without yellowing or wilting
• Smell the bunch—fresh rocket should have a clean, peppery aroma
• Choose smaller leaves for milder flavor, larger for more intense heat

Prolonging Freshness

• Store in a perforated plastic bag with a slightly damp paper towel
• Keep in the high-humidity crisper drawer of your refrigerator
• Consume within 3-5 days for optimal flavor and texture
• Never wash until ready to use to prevent premature wilting

When properly stored, rocket maintains its distinctive flavor profile and crisp texture. Chefs at leading culinary institutions recommend using rocket within 72 hours of purchase for the most vibrant culinary experience.

Common Questions About Rocket Food

Is rocket the same as arugula?

Yes, rocket and arugula refer to the same leafy green vegetable. 'Rocket' is the common term used in the UK, Australia, and most Commonwealth countries, while 'arugula' is the Italian-derived term predominantly used in the United States. Both names describe Eruca vesicaria, though minor cultivar differences exist between regional varieties.

Why does rocket taste peppery?

Rocket's distinctive peppery flavor comes from glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that break down into pungent isothiocyanates when the leaves are chewed or cut. These compounds serve as natural pest deterrents for the plant and create the immediate spicy sensation followed by subtle nutty undertones that characterize rocket's unique flavor profile.

Can you cook rocket like spinach?

Unlike spinach, rocket wilts almost instantly when exposed to heat due to its delicate structure. While you can briefly wilt rocket in warm dishes, it's best used raw as a finishing green. Add it to pizzas, pastas, or soups immediately before serving to preserve its distinctive flavor and texture, as prolonged cooking destroys both its peppery kick and nutritional benefits.

What are the health benefits of eating rocket?

Rocket provides exceptional nutritional value in minimal calories. A single serving delivers over 100% of your daily vitamin K needs, supports bone health, and contains glucosinolates with potential protective effects against certain chronic diseases. It's also rich in vitamins A and C, folate, and calcium, making it a nutrient-dense addition to any diet when consumed regularly.

How do I reduce rocket's peppery taste if I find it too strong?

To mellow rocket's peppery flavor, combine it with creamy elements like avocado or goat cheese, pair with sweet ingredients such as sliced pears or citrus segments, or dress with a lemon-based vinaigrette. Using younger 'baby rocket' leaves also provides a milder flavor profile while maintaining the distinctive character that makes rocket special.