Spinach originally came from Persia (now Iran) where it was known as aspanakh.

By the 1300s, it had spread to Europe and Britain where it was popular in religious communities, particularly during Lent.

It was being cultivated in North America by the early part of the 19th century. In recent times, it has been popularized by the cartoon character Popeye, who attributes his amazing strength to a daily diet of the green leafy vegetable.