The Beet plant (Beta vulgaris) is a biennial vegetable plant with a round or oblong root that is typically dark red or purple, though in less common varieties it can be white, yellow, orange, bright red, or even rainbow-colored. If left to mature, the Beet plant will grow three to six feet tall and produce dense spikes of tiny flowers and small fruits. However, Beet plants are often harvested before maturity for their edible roots and leaves. The root of one variety of Beet, known as the Sugar Beet, is a great source of sucrose and is widely grown commercially for producing table sugar.

The use of Beets as both food and medicine around the world has been mentioned throughout history, from Mesopotamia in 8th Century BC to Medieval Europe, as well as ancient Greece, Rome, and others.