What has sauerkraut to do with China? It originated there. In the third century B.C., when the Great Wall of China was being built, kraut was included in the worker's daily diet and rations to supplement their diet of rice. From China, roving band of Tartars introduced sauerkraut to those parts of Western Europe which are now Germany and Northern France.

In Germany, sauerkraut got its name. Emigrants to America brought their fondness for this dish and their skill in preparing it. Is Sauerkraut nutritious? Early in the 18th century those people (especially sea men) who ate it regularly remained free from scurvy, but not until the 20th century did scientists discover that it was the Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in kraut that was the preventative agent. Both Vitamins B1 and B2 (thiamine and riboflavin) are also contained in kraut, and it is a good source of calcium and phosphorus. Very little carbohydrate and protein and negliglible amount of fat are present in the kraut. All of these factors make kraut a good low calorie food for weight reduces, except that such a diet must also include protein supplied by other foods.