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Home » Salad Vegetables

Rocket vs Arugula - The Ultimate Guide!

Made by Anastasia Papapetros - Serves Filed Under: Salad Vegetables

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Get the scoop on rocket vs arugula. Are they the same? Not as popular as kale, but still a tasty, healthy option for eating your greens. In our ultimate guide, you will learn everything you need to know!

Baby rocket leaves in a wooden bowl.
BABY ROCKET

In This Post:
 [hide]
  1. Is Rocket the Same as Arugula?
  2. When Is It In Season?
  3. Rocket and Arugula Varieties
  4. Selection and Storage
  5. Is Kale or Rocket Better For You?
  6. Health Benefits
  7. Rocket - Arugula Salad Recipes

Is Rocket the Same as Arugula?


Let's cut to the chase, YES, they are one and the same thing!

In North America, it's known as arugula - a variation of the Italian word rucola - but it's called aruculu in Calabria.

In English Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada, it's known as rocket. Either from a northern Italian dialect word, ruchetta, or from the French roquette.

It is a member of the mustard (Brassicaceae) family, and as such, it has a peppery bite. It is high in sulphur which gives it its characteristic pungent flavour.

You can often tell how peppery or mustard your rocket will be by the leaves. The sharper the edges, the bitier it will be.

More mature rocket will taste hotter, more peppery, and can stand up to hot accompaniments.   

When Is It In Season?


While you will find arugula throughout the year, it is at its best during spring and autumn/fall.

Rocket and Arugula Varieties


There are a few varieties of rocket; the type sold loose is called wild rocket or baby rocket. They sell the broader leaf, more mature rocket in bunches. Mizuna is a Japanese rocket.

A Bunch of Rocket / Arugula

  • It is a variety common in the Mediterranean.
  • It grows up to 90 cm tall with round leaves and produces a white flower.
  • It has a milder peppery flavour than wild/baby rocket and is available in bunches.
Bunches of mizuna on the left and bunches of rocket or arugula on the right, in wooden crates.
BUNCHES OF MIZUNA ON THE LEFT AND BUNCHES OF ROCKET ON THE RIGHT

Wild or Baby Rocket

  • It has jagged leaves and produces yellow flowers. 
  • It has a much more peppery taste than plain rocket and is usually available in bags or loose leaves. 
  • They sell the smaller greens as baby rocket which have a milder flavour.
A close up of a pile of baby rocket or arugula leaves.
BABY ROCKET - SEE HOW IT'S THINNER THAN THE BUNCHES

Mizuna

  • It has jagged leaves and produces yellow flowers. 
  • It has a much more peppery taste than plain rocket and is usually available in bags or loose leaves. 
  • They sell the smaller greens as baby rocket which have a milder flavour.
A close up a pile of mizuna leaves.
MIZUNA LEAVES - NOTE THE JAGGED EDGES

Selection and Storage


Selection

  • Look for brightly coloured crisp leaves.
  • Avoid yellow leaves as this shows age and that the greens may have an off flavour.
  • Young, leafy greens have small, tender leaves and a milder flavour.
  • Many mature plants have tougher leaves and stronger flavours.

Storage

  • Keep your leaves in a bag in the crisper section of your fridge.
  • It benefits from being stored like a herb or leaf lettuce, wrapped in some kitchen or paper towel, and then loosely bagged.
  • Keep it on top of other fruit and vegetables so that it doesn't get crushed and damaged.
  • It should last approximately 4-5 days if you avoid any moisture.
Bunches of arugula or rocket stacked on top of each other in a terracotta pot.
BUNCHES OF ROCKET - SEE HOW MUCH BIGGER THE LEAVES ARE

Is Kale or Rocket Better For You?


This peppery leafy green has now taken a back seat to popular kale, but it is still just as good, even better for you.

Rocket has more calcium and zinc than kale; it is equal in iron and magnesium and has fewer carbohydrates and naturally occurring sugars.

The great thing about rocket is that it has a wonderful peppery, spicy taste without needing to be dressed, massaged or sautéed!

Health Benefits


Acccording to Medical Health News Today, some of the health benefits of leafy greens are that they are high in chlorophyll and amino acids and are rich in:

  • Vitamin C - maintains and repairs body tissue, helps absorb Iron and helps form collagen;
  • Vitamin E - acts as an antioxidant and helps protect against free radicals, boosts the immune;
  • Vitamin B -  building blocks of a healthy body, they have a direct impact on your energy levels, brain function, and cell metabolism; and
  • Vitamin K - is good for bone health and blood clotting.
    It also contains beta-carotene, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin (for eye health). But rocket also provides glucosinolates, which help to protect against cancer.

Rocket - Arugula Salad Recipes


Mango avocado salad with lime dressing in a mint bowl with a blush napkin and coconut flakes on the side.

Mango Avocado Salad With Lime Dressing

Arugula Fig Salad in a white bowl with arugula, and halved figs on the side.

Arugula Fig Salad with Blue Cheese

Pear and rocket salad on a black plate sitting on a black and white towel.

Pear and Rocket Salad with Hazelnuts

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad on a white platter with scattered strawberries.

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad

Watermelon and feta salad in a white bowl with watermelon slices and mint on the side.

Persian Watermelon and Feta Salad

Kohlrabi Raspberry Salad on a blue plate with striped tea towel underneath.

Delicious Kohlrabi Raspberry Salad

Apricot Salad in a white bowl with mint towel on bottom left and apricots on top right.

Apricot Salad with Arugula and Feta

Rocket and Sunchoke Salad on a blue plate with halved mandarin and rosemary sprigs in top left corner.

Rocket and Sunchoke Salad

Fennel and Orange Salad in a deep ceramic bowl on a wooden board with mustard in a bowl on top right.

Fennel Orange Salad with Seedy Mustard


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About Anastasia Papapetros

Anastasia has been passionate about cooking since she was eight years old, and hasn't left the kitchen since! With over a decade of experience running her own coffee shop and catering business, Anastasia has developed a true love for salads - especially for family get-togethers and friends' functions. She's the go-to for bringing the perfect salad to any occasion!

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  1. Jack says

    July 15, 2024 at 10:42 am

    For your information, Canada is part of North America and Canadians call it arugula, not rocket.

    Reply

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