Cauliflower resembles broccoli, to which it is closely related, except with very densely packed white flower buds. Only the head of the cauliflower is eaten, a part known as the white curd. This stalk is surrounded at the base by thick, green leaves.
Broccoli and cauliflower (which are both varieties of the species Brassica oleracea) have been recently crossed to create a vegetable called broccoflower, with very pale green heads densely packed like cauliflower; it is said to have with the flavour of broccoli, but many report it as undistinguished.
Cauliflower Nutrition Facts: Calories, Carbs, and Health Benefits
Cauliflower is about 92.07% water, 4.97% carbohydrates (including 1.91% sugar and 2% dietary fiber), 1.92% protein, and 0.28% fat. One cauliflower flower cluster will give you with 0.646 grams of carbohydrates. It is equal to 0.5 percent of the 130 grams of carbohydrates you need on a daily basis, according to the Institute of Medicine (US). That same in a 100 gram amount, cauliflower supplies 25 calories and is a natural source of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (64.27% of the Daily Value). So if you have cauliflower in your diet, it helps your body to absorb iron from food and defend itself more naturally since vitamin C is an antioxidant, reduce probability of heart disease by fighting cholesterol, reduce the risk of anemia as this vitamin absorbs iron and it is effective against gout (a type of arthritis) attacks by reducing blood uric acid levelsdementia since vitamin C impacts memory positivelyhigh blood pressure. It contains low amount of minerals.
Cauliflower (as the name suggests) is actually the flower buds of the plant. More specifically, it’s a cluster of immature flower buds, known as a “curd”.
The leaves on cauliflower are edible, but they do have a stronger flavor, somewhat similar to collard greens. Instead of throwing them away, you can save them to make stock. Same goes for the stems.
Not a fan of the way cauliflower smells when you boil it? Try adding celery seeds or celery leaves to the water. It’s a simple way to cut down the smell.
Color of the head depends on the variety. Most common type of cauliflower is white, but it can be also purchased in green, purple, orange, brown and yellow color.
Don’t like white cauliflower? Many people who don’t like the taste of white cauliflower will find they like the sweeter and milder taste of orange cauliflower.
1/2 cup of cooked cauliflower contains only 30 calories but 90% of your daily value of vitamin C!
Green variety of cauliflower is known as broccoflower because it looks like broccoli. One type of green cauliflower develops spiky instead of round curds. This variety of cauliflower is known as Romanesco broccoli.
