Cauliflower Explained

Cauliflower
Species:Brassica oleracea
Group:Botrytis Group
Origin:Northeast Mediterranean, South Asia
Subdivision:Many; see text.

Cauliflower is one of several vegetables cultivated from the species Brassica oleracea in the genus Brassica, which is in the Brassicaceae (or mustard) family.

An annual plant that reproduces by seed, the cauliflower head is composed of a (generally) white inflorescence meristem. Cauliflower heads resemble those in broccoli, which differs in having flower buds as the edible portion.

Typically, only the head is eaten; the edible white flesh is sometimes called "curd". The global production of cauliflower and broccoli in 2020 was over 25.5 million tons and worth 14.1 billion US dollars.[1]

Description

There are four major groups of cauliflower.[2]

  1. Italian: This specimen is diverse in appearance, biennial, and annual in type. This group includes white, Romanesco, and various brown, green, purple, and yellow cultivars. This type is the ancestral form from which the others were derived.
  2. Northern European annuals: Used in Europe and North America for summer and fall harvest, it was developed in Germany in the 18th century and includes the old cultivars Erfurt and Snowball.
  3. Northwest biennial: Used in Europe for winter and early spring harvest, developed in France in the 19th century and includes the old cultivars Angers and Roscoff.
  4. Asian: A tropical cauliflower used in China and India, it was developed in India during the 19th century from the now-abandoned Cornish type[3] and includes old varieties Early Benaras and Early Patna.

Domestication

Cauliflowers are an ‘arrested inflorescence’  subspecies of B. oleracea that arose around 2,500 years ago. Genomic analysis finds initially evolved from broccoli with three MADS-box genes, playing roles in the formation of its curd. Nine loci and candidate genes are linked with morphological and biological characters.

Varieties

There are hundreds of historic and current commercial varieties used around the world. A comprehensive list of about 80 North American varieties is maintained at North Carolina State University.[4]

Colors

White: White cauliflower is the most common color of cauliflower, having a contrasting white head (also called "curd", having a similar appearance to cheese curd),[5] surrounded by green leaves.
  • Orange: Orange cauliflower contains beta-carotene as the orange pigment, a provitamin A compound. This orange trait originated from a natural mutant found in a cauliflower field in Canada.[6] Cultivars include 'Cheddar' and 'Orange Bouquet.'
  • Green: Green cauliflower in the B. oleracea Botrytis Group is sometimes called broccoflower. It is available in the normal curd (head) shape and with a fractal spiral curd called Romanesco broccoli. Both have been commercially available in the U.S. and Europe since the early 1990s. Green-headed varieties include 'Alverda,' 'Green Goddess,' and 'Vorda.' Romanesco varieties include 'Minaret' and 'Veronica.'
  • Purple: The purple color in this cauliflower is caused by the presence of anthocyanins, water-soluble pigments that are found in many other plants and plant-based products, such as red cabbage and red wine.[7] Varieties include 'Graffiti' and 'Purple Cape.'
  • In Great Britain and southern Italy, a broccoli with tiny flower buds is sold as a vegetable under the name "purple cauliflower"; it is not the same as standard cauliflower with a purple head.

    Phytochemicals

    Cauliflower contains several non-nutrient phytochemicals common in the cabbage family that are under preliminary research for their potential properties, including isothiocyanates and glucosinolates.[8] Boiling reduces the levels of cauliflower glucosinolates, while other cooking methods, such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying, have no significant effect on glucosinolate levels.[9]

    Etymology

    The word "cauliflower" derives from the Italian cavolfiore, meaning "cabbage flower".[10] The ultimate origin of the name is from the Latin words caulis (cabbage) and flōs (flower).[11]

    Cultivation

    History

    Cauliflower is the result of selective breeding and likely arose in the Mediterranean region, possibly from broccoli.[12]

    Pliny the Elder included cyma among cultivated plants he described in Natural History: "Ex omnibus brassicae generibus suavissima est cyma"[13] ("Of all the varieties of cabbage the most pleasant-tasted is cyma").[14] Pliny's description likely refers to the flowering heads of an earlier cultivated variety of Brassica oleracea.[15]

    In the Middle Ages, early forms of cauliflower were associated with the island of Cyprus, with the 12th- and 13th-century Arab botanists Ibn al-'Awwam and Ibn al-Baitar claiming its origin to be Cyprus.[16] [17] This association continued into Western Europe, where cauliflowers were sometimes known as Cyprus colewort, and there was extensive trade in western Europe in cauliflower seeds from Cyprus, under the French Lusignan rulers of the island, until well into the 16th century.[18]

    It is thought to have been introduced into Italy from Cyprus or the east coast of the Mediterranean around 1490, and then spread to other European countries in the following centuries.

    François Pierre La Varenne employed chouxfleurs in Le cuisinier françois.[19] They were introduced to France from Genoa in the 16th century and are featured in Olivier de Serres' Théâtre de l'agriculture (1600), as cauli-fiori "as the Italians call it, which are still rather rare in France; they hold an honorable place in the garden because of their delicacy", [20] but they did not commonly appear on grand tables until the time of Louis XIV.[21] It was introduced to India in 1822 by the British.[22]

    Production

    Cauliflower production – 2020
    CountryProduction
    (millions of tonnes)
    9.5
    8.8
    1.3
    0.7
    0.7
    0.4
    World 25.5
    Source: FAOSTAT of the United Nations

    In 2020, global production of cauliflowers (combined for production reports with broccoli) was 25.5 million tonnes, led by China and India which, combined, had 72% of the world total.[23] Secondary producers, having 0.4–1.3 million tonnes annually, were the United States, Spain, Mexico, and Italy.[23]

    Horticulture

    Cauliflower is relatively difficult to grow compared to cabbage, with common problems such as an underdeveloped head and poor curd quality.[24]

    Climate

    Because the weather is a limiting factor for producing cauliflower, the plant grows best in moderate daytime temperatures NaN°F, with plentiful sun and moist soil conditions high in organic matter and sandy soils.[5] The earliest maturity possible for cauliflower is 7 to 12 weeks from transplanting.[24] In the northern hemisphere, fall season plantings in July may enable harvesting before autumn frost.[5]

    Long periods of sun exposure in hot summer weather may cause cauliflower heads to discolor with a red-purple hue.[5]

    Seeding and transplanting

    Transplantable cauliflowers can be produced in containers such as flats, hotbeds, or fields. In soil that is loose, well-drained, and fertile, field seedlings are shallow-planted NaNinches and thinned by ample space – about 12 plants per 1feet.[5] Ideal growing temperatures are about 65°F when seedlings are 25 to 35 days old.[5] Applications of fertilizer to developing seedlings begin when leaves appear, usually with a starter solution weekly.

    Transplanting to the field normally begins in late spring and may continue until mid-summer. Row spacing is about NaNorder=flipNaNorder=flip. Rapid vegetative growth after transplanting may benefit from such procedures as avoiding spring frosts, using starter solutions high in phosphorus, irrigating weekly, and applying fertilizer.[5]

    Disorders, pests, and diseases

    The most important disorders affecting cauliflower quality are a hollow stem, stunted head growth or buttoning, ricing, browning, and leaf-tip burn.[5] Among major pests affecting cauliflower are aphids, root maggots, cutworms, moths, and flea beetles.[24] The plant is susceptible to black rot, black leg, club root, black leaf spot, and downy mildew.[5]

    Harvesting

    When cauliflower is mature, heads appear clear white, compact, and NaNorder=flipNaNorder=flip in diameter, and should be cooled shortly after harvest.[5] Forced air cooling to remove heat from the field during hot weather may be needed for optimal preservation. Short-term storage is possible using cool, high-humidity storage conditions.[5]

    Pollination

    Many species of blowflies, including Calliphora vomitoria, are known pollinators of cauliflower.[25]

    Uses

    Culinary

    Cauliflower heads can be roasted, grilled, boiled, fried, steamed, pickled, or eaten raw. When cooking, the outer leaves and thick stalks are typically removed, leaving only the florets (the edible "curd" or "head"). The leaves are also edible but are often discarded.[26]

    Cauliflower can be used as a low-calorie, gluten-free alternative to rice and flour. Between 2012 and 2016, cauliflower production in the United States increased by 63%, and cauliflower-based product sales increased by 71% between 2017 and 2018. Cauliflower rice is made by pulsing cauliflower florets and cooking the result in oil.[27] [28] Cauliflower pizza crust is made from cauliflower flour and is popular in pizza restaurants.[29] Mashed cauliflower is a low-carbohydrate alternative to mashed potatoes.[30]

    Nutrition

    Raw cauliflower is 92% water, 5% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and contains negligible fat (see table). A 100g reference amount of raw cauliflower provides 104kJ of food energy, and has a high content (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of vitamin C (58% DV) and moderate levels of several B vitamins and vitamin K (13–15% DV; table). Contents of dietary minerals are low (7% DV or less).

    In culture

    Cauliflower has been noticed by mathematicians for its distinct fractal dimension,[31] [32] calculated to be roughly 2.8.[33] [34] One of the fractal properties of cauliflower is that every branch, or "module", is similar to the entire cauliflower. Another quality, also present in other plant species, is that the angle between "modules", as they become more distant from the center, is 360 degrees divided by the golden ratio.[35]

    The fancied resemblance of the shape of a boxer's ear to a cauliflower gave rise to the term "cauliflower ear".

    See also

    Further reading

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Chen . Rui . Chen . Ke . Yao . Xingwei . Zhang . Xiaoli . Yang . Yingxia . Su . Xiao . Lyu . Mingjie . Wang . Qian . Zhang . Guan . Wang . Mengmeng . Li . Yanhao . Duan . Lijin . Xie . Tianyu . Li . Haichao . Yang . Yuyao . 2024 . Genomic analyses reveal the stepwise domestication and genetic mechanism of curd biogenesis in cauliflower . Nature Genetics . 10.1038/s41588-024-01744-4 . 1061-4036 . Zhang . Hong . Guo . Yutong . Jia . Guiying . Ge . Xianhong . Sarris . Panagiotis F. . Lin . Tao . Sun . Deling. 38714866 . free . 11176064 .
    2. Crisp, P. . 1982 . The use of an evolutionary scheme for cauliflowers in screening of genetic resources . Euphytica . 31 . 3 . 725 . 10.1007/BF00039211 . 37686274.
    3. Swarup, V. . Chatterjee, S.S. . 1972 . Origin and genetic improvement of Indian cauliflower . Economic Botany . 26 . 4 . 381–393 . 10.1007/BF02860710 . 37487958.
    4. Web site: Farnham, M. . 2007 . Vegetable Cultivar Descriptions for North America:Cauliflower . 2007-09-19.
    5. Web site: Vincent A. Fritz . Carl J. Rosen . Michelle A. Grabowski . William D. Hutchison . Roger L. Becker . Cindy Tong . Jerry A. Wright . Terry T. Nennich . amp . 2017 . Growing broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in Minnesota . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170227153004/http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/vegetables/growing-broccoli-cabbage-and-cauliflower-in-minnesota/ . 27 February 2017 . 26 February 2017 . University of Minnesota Extension, Garden – Growing Vegetables.
    6. Dickson, M.H. . Lee C.Y. . Blamble A.E. . 1988 . Orange-curd high carotene cauliflower inbreds, NY 156, NY 163, and NY 165 . HortScience . 23 . 4 . 778–779 . 10.21273/HORTSCI.23.4.778 . 88716744 . free.
    7. Web site: Chiu, L. . Prior, R.L. . Wu, X. . Li, L. . 16 July 2005 . Toward Identification of the Candidate Gene Controlling Anthocyanin Accumulation in Purple Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) . American Society of Plant Biologists Annual Meeting . 628.
    8. Ishida M, Hara M, Fukino N, Kakizaki T, Morimitsu Y . 2014 . Glucosinolate metabolism, functionality, and breeding for the improvement of Brassicaceae vegetables . Breeding Science . 64 . 1 . 48–59 . 10.1270/jsbbs.64.48 . 4031110 . 24987290 . free.
    9. Nugrahedi . Probo Y. . Verkerk . Ruud . Widianarko . Budi . Dekker . Matthijs . 2015 . A Mechanistic Perspective on Process-Induced Changes in Glucosinolate Content in Brassica Vegetables: A Review . Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition . 55 . 6 . 823–838 . 10.1080/10408398.2012.688076 . 1040-8398 . 24915330 . 25728864.
    10. Web site: cauliflower . 4 June 2018 . WordReference.com Dictionary of English . en.
    11. Web site: 2006 . Cauliflower: definition . 22 November 2008 . Reference.com.
    12. Book: Branca . F. . Vegetables I . Springer . 2008 . 978-0-387-30443-4 . Prohens . J. . Handbook of Plant Breeding . 1 . New York . Cauliflower and Broccoli . 151–186 . 10.1007/978-0-387-30443-4_5 . Nuez . F. . https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30443-4_5.
    13. Book: Pliny (the Elder). Weise. C.H.. Historiae Naturalis Libri XX. 1841. 249. la.
    14. Book: Rackham. H.. Pliny's Natural History. 1949. http://www.masseiana.org/pliny.htm#BOOK%20XX. 1 July 2015. XXXV. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170101063545/http://www.masseiana.org/pliny.htm#BOOK%20XX. 1 January 2017.
    15. Book: Crozier. Arthur Alger. The Cauliflower. 1891. Register Publishing Co.. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 12.
    16. Web site: Cabbage Flowers for Food. Aggie Horticulture. Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M System. 12 October 2014.
    17. Fenwick. G. Roger. Heaney, Robert K.. Mullin, W. John. VanEtten, Cecil H.. Glucosinolates and their breakdown products in food and food plants. CRC Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 1982. 18. 2. 123–201. 10.1080/10408398209527361. 6337782.
    18. Jon Gregerson, Good Earth (Portland: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company, 1990) p.41
    19. Wheaton, Barbara Ketcham (1996) Savoring the Past: the French kitchen and table from 1300 to 1789, Touchstone, p. 118, .
    20. Wheaton, Barbara Ketcham (1996) Savoring the Past: the French kitchen and table from 1300 to 1789, Touchstone, p. 66, .
    21. Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne (2009) A History of Food, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, pp. 625f, .
    22. Book: Vegetable Crops. 1 January 2007. New India Publishing. 978-81-89422-41-7. 209.
    23. Web site: Production/Crops, Quantities by Country for Cauliflowers and Broccoli for 2016 . Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Statistics Division (FAOSTAT) . 2016 . 26 February 2017 . 22 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161122053717/http://faostat3.fao.org/browse/Q/QC/E . dead .
    24. Web site: 14 January 2013 . Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Other Brassica Crops . 26 February 2017 . Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, College of Natural Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Massachusetts.
    25. Wolf. Jan M. Van Der. Zouwen. Patricia S. Van Der. 2010. Colonization of Cauliflower Blossom (Brassica oleracea) by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, via Flies (Calliphora vomitoria), Can Result in Seed Infestation. Journal of Phytopathology. en. 158. 11–12. 726–732. 10.1111/j.1439-0434.2010.01690.x. 1439-0434.
    26. Book: Grout . B. W. W. . Crops II . 1988 . Springer . 978-3-642-73520-2 . Bajaj . Y. P. S. . Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry . 6 . 211–225 . Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) . 10.1007/978-3-642-73520-2_10.
    27. Web site: Gajanan . Mahita . 14 July 2017 . Why Cauliflower Is the New 'It' Vegetable . 12 December 2019 . Time.
    28. Web site: Koman . Tess . 15 July 2019 . Why Is Cauliflower Still Literally Everywhere? . 12 December 2019 . Delish.
    29. Web site: O'Connor . Anahad . 8 June 2018 . The Ascension of Cauliflower . 12 December 2019 . The New York Times.
    30. Web site: Brzostowski . Cindy . 19 March 2021 . As Cauliflower's Popularity Holds, Breadcrumb Alternative Cauli Crunch Enters The Scene . 26 March 2021 . Forbes.
    31. Walker, John. (2005-03-22) Fractal Food. Fourmilab.ch. Retrieved on 2013-09-03.
    32. http://www.iwriteiam.nl/HaCF.html Description of the Julia sets of the cabbage fractal
    33. Kim, Sang-Hoon . cond-mat/0409763. Fractal Structure of a White Cauliflower. Journal of the Korean Physical Society . 46 . 2 . 474–477 . 2004cond.mat..9763K. 2004.
    34. cond-mat/0411597. Kim. Sang-Hoon. Fractal dimensions of a green broccoli and a white cauliflower. 2004.
    35. News: Romanesco cauliflower is a striking example of fractals. The Washington Post.