FOOD TRIVIA: Eradication of Scurvy

British ships took sauerkraut on voyages to prevent scurvy ( cabbage contains vitamin C - a scurvy preventing vitamin) because of its ability to keep well without refrigeration. The explorer James Cook, 1723-1779, promoted the practice of feeding his crew sauerkraut and lime juice to prevent this disease even though Vitamin C would not be discovered until 1932 and its relationship to the prevention of scurvy was established.