The past couple of years, the kale conversation has centered around making fun of how trendy this green is, or talking about how its popularity has finally peaked . (By the way, it hasn't.) When really, what we should all be focusing on is why this green became such a fixture in healthy eating (and trendy restaurants) at all.

Here's the reason: it's really, truly very good for you. Plus, it's pretty dang tasty. That's why it rose to be -- and has stayed -- one of the most popular greens on the market. But how, exactly? That's what we're here to answer.