Key Takeaways
- Row 7 Seed Company introduces Sugarcone cabbage to 325 Whole Foods Market locations across California, the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas.
- The new variety will be available from September through mid-November.
- Sugarcone cabbage is noted for its naturally sweet, mild flavor and versatile culinary uses.
- The launch marks a shift toward flavor-focused plant breeding for home cooks.
Row 7 Seed Company Expands Availability Through Whole Foods
Row 7 Seed Company, an organic food company focused on flavor and innovation, announced the launch of Sugarcone cabbage at 325 Whole Foods Market locations across California, the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas, including Houston, Austin, and Dallas. The seasonal variety will be available to consumers from September through mid-November.
Characteristics of Sugarcone Cabbage
The new variety is distinguished by its naturally sweet, mild flavor and tender leaves, designed for cooking versatility. Sugarcone cabbage lacks the sulfury taste common in traditional cabbage, offering a lettuce-like crunch. It can be prepared raw in salads, roasted, grilled, sautéed, braised, or fermented into sauerkraut and kimchi.
With conical heads weighing 1–2 pounds, the variety is suited for everyday use, reducing food waste while providing flexibility in meal preparation.
Insights from Company Leadership
“We've spent decades prioritizing shipping and storage over flavor when it comes to cabbage,” said Chef Dan Barber, founder of Row 7 Seed Company. “Sugarcone cabbage brings back what we lost—real cabbage flavor that's naturally sweet, tender, and designed for taste, not transport.”
“The pointed head transforms a simple roast or grill into a centerpiece,” added Liz Mahler, Chief Operating Officer of Row 7 Seed Company. “But more importantly, it cooks faster and delivers the cabbage experience you never knew you were missing.”
Flavor-Focused Breeding and Partnerships
Sugarcone cabbage represents a shift away from traditional breeding priorities such as durability and shelf life. Pointed cabbage varieties, long valued by chefs and gardeners, are being introduced to home cooks on a larger scale through this initiative.
Row 7 Seed Company is partnering with organic farmers who share its commitment to flavor-driven agriculture. This collaboration ensures that the new variety reaches consumers while maintaining sustainable growing practices.
Row 7 Seed Company Fall Portfolio
Alongside Sugarcone cabbage, the company is offering other seasonal varieties including Upstate Abundance potatoes, Sweet Garleek, Honeypatch squash, and Koginut squash. Together, these products aim to provide consumers with organically grown vegetables designed for flavor and everyday cooking.
Row 7 Seed Company
The company is an organic food company that collaborates with chefs, farmers, and plant breeders to develop new vegetable varieties with unique culinary, nutritional, and ecological traits. Its mission is to improve food from seed to table.
The company sells organic, unpatented seeds through an online marketplace and introduced a branded line of organic vegetables in grocery stores in 2022. Row 7 continues to expand its retail presence, particularly in the U.S. Northeast.
