Cabbages have been an integral part of our food culture for over 2,000 years.  Coleworts, the wild form of cabbage, were first used as food in prehistoric times. The ancient Greeks cultivated the wild cabbage and developed several varieties as did the Romans who probably introduced the cultivars to Britain. Early cabbage was a more loose leaf variety. The full bodied head was developed during the middle ages. Cabbage became an important  staple food, especially for the poor, who relied on it stored whole, pickled or dried during the lean winter months.