Bloomsdale, a treasured heirloom variety, was introduced in 1925. It has remained a popular savoy type spinach among gardeners and is still commonly grown for specialty markets. Spinach is originally from Persia where it is called "aspanakh" which translates to "green hand". It was brought from Persia to India and China by Arab traders around 650ad and to Europe through Spain by the Moors as early as the 8th century. It was brought to the "New World" by European settlers in the early 19th century.