The French Breakfast radish is an heirloom variety and a member of the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family. It was first introduced in 1879 and quickly became a popular market radish of Paris.
Radish comes from the Greek word for "fast appearing". French Breakfast radishes are believed to have gotten their name from marketers who were known to snack on the radishes mid-morning while they sold their produce.