Its deep purple domed heads reach about 6 to 7 inches in diameter and are rich in antioxidant anthrocyanins. Wherever it originated, Purple cauliflower has been increasing in popularity with commercial and particularly home growers in the last several decades due to both its flavor and its stunningly vibrant violet color. The one type of cauliflower that is close in appearance to broccoli is the ‘Broccoflower.’ This can look either like a green-colored cauliflower or referred also to the Romanesco broccoli variety. Also called the Broccoflower, the Romanesco cauliflower is a green variety that has striking florets that give its head a spiky appearance. There are actually many white cauliflower cultivars that ripen at various times during the growing season. For example, too much sunshine can cause natural pigments in the cauliflower to become more pronounced. Lisa has a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Arts. Beyond the germination stage, cauliflower prefers temperatures around 21°C (70°F) or lower. Early White cauliflower is a fast-growing variety of cauliflower that has a pure white curd and an excellent flavor. The Snowball is an heirloom variety of cauliflower that was developed in France and first introduced to the United States by Peter Henderson and Company in 1888. Of course, purple cauliflower cultivars also have all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients found in regular white cauliflowers. To combat damage from this direct exposure to the sun, the heads of many white cauliflower cultivars must be ‘blanched’ – a time-consuming process that involves manually tying the leaves back over the heads using twine, rubber bands, or special tape when the heads begin to be exposed. You can also enjoy Romanesco cauliflower as you would any other cauliflower – steamed, grilled, or roasted. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Depurple Hybrid seeds are available from Burpee in packages of 30. Purple Cauliflower. The curds should be tightly packed together. This is a good type of cauliflower to roast, grill, or make cauliflower rice. The British introduced cauliflower to Asia (specifically India) in the early 1800s, and the plant was brought to North America by European immigrants around the same time – although it did not become popular either economically or in a culinary sense in the United States until the 1920s. It is not uncommon to find small pink or violet patches on the otherwise snow-white curds of this variety, particularly in warmer areas; these patches normally have no effect on flavor. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Blanching is recommended. In some ways, this cauliflower variety resembles broccoli rabe or sprouting broccoli. No blanching is required to retain its vibrant color. You also get an impressive 2.5 g of fiber in 100 grams, which is 10% of your daily fiber requirements. The firm heads – which will be varying shades of green depending on the specific cultivar and are shaped and put together like their white counterparts – will normally grow to between 6 and 8 inches in diameter, mature in around 75 days, and do not require blanching. Purple Cauliflower. Consider this compact type for container gardening and small plots. (2). The flavor is milder and less bitter than most white varieties, as well as slightly sweeter and nuttier. A fairly hardy and relatively cold-tolerant variety in its original form, over the years the Snowball has been one of the most ‘improved’ cauliflower cultivars out there, and various forms of the Snowball are among the most widely grown types of cauliflower – by both commercial and home growers – throughout the world. Some popular types of white cauliflowers include some of the following: Snowball cauliflower has a 6” (15 cm) medium-sized head and is popular in North America. She is an experienced blogger who enjoys researching interesting facts, ideas, products, and other compelling concepts. Fioretto cauliflower is an unusual type of cauliflower. The plant does best in mild temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit; the heads have a tendency to button or bolt in prolonged temperatures of over 75F, and so the seeds are usually planted in the early spring in most areas so that the heads are fully developed and ready for harvest prior to the summer heat. Choose from packets of 50 seeds, or a set of 6 plants in pots measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 2.5 inches deep. It has smooth, uniform, 4- to 7-inch… Snowball Y Organic seeds are available from Eden Brothers. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. We’ve selected 13 we know you’re going to love. Early White Hybrid seeds are available from Burpee in 100-count packages. The dense, bright white, fine-textured heads routinely grow up to 10 inches in diameter – making it among the larger common cauliflower varieties – and are protected from wind and cold by quite thick, upright-growing leaves. Compared to the white varieties, orange-colored cauliflowers are much healthier. Try adding some lemon juice while cooking to preserve the deep purple hues. Like most of the cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower contains high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients and is also believed by some researchers to be useful in slowing the growth of some cancer cells, as well as being helpful in lowering blood pressure and improving the function of the kidneys. Dense, 6- to 7-inch heads contain antioxidant anthocyanins, with flavorful hints of butter and nuts. First documented in Italy, it is chartreuse in color. Northwest European cauliflowers are cultivars that are ready in the fall and are classed as late … Expect a mature height of about 20 inches. It is an excellent source of many of the B vitamins – particularly 5, 6, and 8 – as well as vitamins C and K, potassium, manganese and phosphorous. The deep purple curd is surrounded by bluish-green leaves. It has an exceptionally sweet flavor and requires no blanching. This variety has a good flavor with a buttery nutty taste. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Compared to white cauliflowers, the heads of the purple varieties are tenderer and have a milder taste. Orange cauliflower plants have some tolerance for both cold and heat, and can be grown in USDA Zones 3 – 9, normally reaching maturity in 60 to 70 days. Compared to the common cauliflower, Romanesco cauliflowers have a crunchier texture with a delicate nutty taste. Paler than cheddar types, Flame Star Hybrid is an early orange option that matures in approximately 55 to 60 days. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'elist10_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',102,'0','0']));Cauliflower is one of those vegetables about which most people have a strong opinion one way or the other. The medium-sized head is firm and dense, and the orange curds become a deeper hue when cooked. As for seeds, if you allow a head to remain in place, and it is not destroyed by heat, pests, or disease, it will set seed the following year. The most common type of cauliflower is the white variety with its distinct ivory-white head and dark green leaves. Some popular green cauliflower cultivars include the ‘Alverda,’ ‘the Green Goddess,’ ‘Vitaverd,’ and ‘Chartreuse.’, Purple cauliflower is a striking type of cauliflower with many health benefits. The orange cauliflower is a cultivar from the Brassica species that has orange or yellow-colored florets making up the head. The moderate air temperature in this coastal region is the perfect climate for growing cauliflowers throughout the year. In addition to writing, she likes photography and Photoshop. In some ways, cauliflower heads resemble those of broccoli, however, there are some differences. It is one of the main ‘cole’ crops and is very closely related to broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnips, and kale. Botanically, cauliflower is a member of the Brassica genus in the Brassicaceae (more commonly referred to as crucifer, mustard or cabbage) family of flowering plants. Its bright white heads measure 3 to 5 inches across at maturity. It resembles broccoli rabe. Attribute cauliflower hybrid is a medium to large-sized cauliflower that matures early. botrytis) is generally the type of cauliflower most people think of. If you are looking for an easy-to-grow variety of cauliflower, then the Purple Cape is one of your best choices. These floral cauliflower stems make the perfect type of food for dipping with. Heads are smooth and compact, with pure white curds that reach a diameter of about 6 to 7 inches. Nutritionally, cauliflower is very low in fat and calories and provides a decent amount of dietary fiber. White cauliflower is the most common type of cauliflower with many cultivars. To grow pure white cauliflowers, it is necessary to “blanch” them. Work has continued by breeders since then, and today several varieties are grown on a limited commercial basis, mostly in the United States and Northern Mexico. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Please follow this link to find out why we love what we do.... eList10 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.