When Did Rocket Salad Hit Ireland? A Culinary Journey

Remember Twitter? Or should we say, X? This social media platform used to be a goldmine for finding niche information, especially from the Irish bunch. I recently found myself on a quest to uncover when rocket salad, also known as arugula, officially became a staple in Irish cuisine.

The Google Conundrum

Naturally, I turned to Google. My query? “When did rocket come to Ireland?” But as you can imagine, it returned results about Ireland’s space rocket program and the endearing diner chain, Eddie Rockets. Nothing about the peppery green leaf’s journey onto Irish dinner plates.

The Power of Irish Twitter (aka The Days of #rocket)

Ah, Twitter. Back when it was lively and full of quirky communities. Irish Twitter would have been a treasure trove for my research. Within minutes of posting my question, I likely would have received a flood of replies from people recounting their first rocket salad experiences. It wouldn’t have surprised me if someone had a family story about growing rocket after Ireland’s triumphant stint in Italia 90, or if a retired chef remembered receiving the first rocket panini order in 1998. Ah, #rocket, how I miss you.

Instagram Replacing Twitter: A New Era of Foodstalgia

These days, Twitter’s been… different. So, I turned to Instagram and posted a story, seeking first-hand accounts of consuming rocket in Ireland. My goal was to pinpoint when it became a widely known ingredient, at least in urban areas.

The responses were enlightening!

Rocket Tales: From Leeds to Dublin

The earliest memory I received was from Mary, who tasted it in 1999 in Leeds. She attributed her exposure to rocket and goat’s cheese to the dynamism of the city’s food scene. Another responder, Kate, recalled a chicken, rocket, sun-dried tomato, and pesto panini from Al Boschetto in Ballsbridge circa 2000, calling it “literally like being on another planet.”

Many people linked rocket salad with the rise of the “panini” craze. Café Bar Deli, a beloved Dublin eatery that sadly closed its doors, was a frequent mention. Their pizzas and salads topped with rocket captivated customers from 2001 onward. For those who remember Café Bar Deli, it was a gateway to a world of culinary delights, rocket included.

The Euro and a Refined Palate

It seems rocket’s arrival in Ireland coincided perfectly with the arrival of the euro. A symbol of Ireland joining the ranks of sophisticated European countries, it ushered in a new era of culinary exploration.

As Lorraine aptly observed, by 2010, rocket salad was the “default leaf” for those venturing into the world of salads.

Taking Stock in An Empty Fridge (And Other Green Grocer Tales)

Looking back, I realize people were likely munching on rocket before the year 2000. But for my research purposes, I’ll stick with the turn of the century as a significant milestone.

And a personal anecdote: back in the early 2000s, I worked at a bustling greengrocer’s. My knowledge of leafy greens was limited to butterhead and iceberg. But here, they had lollo rosso, radicchio, and frisée—leaves I couldn’t distinguish from one another. Caught between fear and not wanting to get in trouble, I inevitably defaulted to pricing everything as butterhead. Don’t worry, my boss was understanding and helped me navigate the leafy green labyrinth.

Rocket, Leftovers, and Some Life Lessons

Now, I buy a bag of rocket regularly. As with most things in life, a portion is destined to wilt miserably at the bottom of the fridge. It’s practically a rite of passage.

Your Turn!

Share your first memories of rocket salad in Ireland! Did you have it in a gourmet panini, or as a radical addition to a salad? Tell us in the comments below!