Broccoli Varieties: 20 Types of Broccoli you can grow
- Blue Wind. Blue Wind is a broccoli variety that takes 49-55 days to mature, and it does well in USDA zones 5-8.
- Di Cicco. This variety of broccoli is an Italian heirloom that grows well in USDA zones 3-10. ...
- Calabrese. ...
- Eastern Magic. ...
- Green Magic. ...
- Amadeus. ...
- Arcadia. ...
- Waltham 29. ...
- Destiny. ...
- Marathon. ...
Full Answer
How many types of broccoli are there?
Broccoli Varieties: 20 Types of Broccoli you can grow. 1 1. Blue Wind. Blue Wind is a broccoli variety that takes 49-55 days to mature, and it does well in USDA zones 5-8. 2 2. Di Cicco. 3 3. Calabrese. 4 4. Eastern Magic. 5 5. Green Magic. More items
What does Broccoli look like when it grows?
If you look at the broccoli in the grocery store, it might be a variety of Calabrese. Calabrese produces medium to large green heads, and it takes around 65 days to reach full maturity. The central head has tight florets, which are the tiny flowers. You might notice that they look like little trees.
What is the difference between purple Broccoli and white Broccoli?
Although a vivid purple when raw, purple sprouting broccoli turns green when cooked. White sprouting broccoli has white florets and a milder, sweeter taste than the purple variety. White sprouting broccoli is more common in Britain but its popularity is increasing in the U.S.
What kind of broccoli is blue with green heads?
This type of broccoli has tightly packed heads that are a beautiful shade of blue green. Maturing in roughly 70 days, the Belstar broccoli can tolerate both cold and heat, so you can plant it either in the spring or the fall.
How many Colours of broccoli are there?
Broccoli is green, except when it's purple and it's cauliflower. Cauliflower is usually white, except when it's orange or green, and looks like broccoli, or when it's purple, and it actually is broccoli. These two vegetables are obviously different colors.
Are there different colors of broccoli?
The main types of sprouting broccoli are purple and white. Although a vivid purple when raw, purple sprouting broccoli turns green when cooked. White sprouting broccoli has white florets and a milder, sweeter taste than the purple variety.
How many different kinds of broccoli are there?
I suspect over the years I've eaten a variety of broccoli types, but what I didn't realize is that there are 20 types of broccoli. Cabbage, Anyone? Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable and part of the cabbage family, which includes vegetables such as Brussel sprouts and kale.
What are the 3 types of broccoli?
Calabrese broccoli, destiny broccoli, and belstar broccoli — these are the different varieties of broccoli. When you see broccoli in the produce section, it's like likely one of these. It has a thick stalk and is part of the cabbage family.
Is there blue broccoli?
'Belstar' (F1, 65-75 days) produces beautiful blue-green, tightly packed heads high on the plant. Good heat and cold tolerance, it's a reliable performer for both spring and fall planting. 'Express' (F1, 75 days) is a good mid-season broccoli.
Is purple broccoli natural?
Purple broccoli is native to the eastern Mediterranean and Central Asian region and was first cultivated in Southern Italy. Seeds for “Sprouting Purple broccoli” were first listed in the French Vilmorin-Andrieux seed catalog in 1885, which also introduced the colorful cultivar to the United States.
What are white broccoli called?
There is a white broccoli-type vegetable known as cauliflower, but I like to call it cauli. I love, love, love it.
Why is the broccoli purple?
You might be a bit perplexed to find that your once green head of broccoli is now turning a bluish-purple. This is actually completely fine and is caused by the release of anthocyanin, which is a naturally occurring pigment with a bluish-purple color.
Which broccoli is best?
10 Outstanding Heading Broccoli VarietiesBelstar. 'Belstar' is a hybrid variety that is known for growing well in the South in the winter. ... Calabrese. 'Calabrese' is an heirloom variety, and a prime selection for Zones 3-10. ... Destiny. ... DiCicco. ... Eastern Magic. ... Green Magic. ... Purple Sprouting. ... Romanesco.More items...•
What is blue wind broccoli?
Blue Wind. Heads are medium sized, blue-green with small, attractive beads. This extra-early maturing broccoli produces impressively large heads. The handsome, uniform plants sport uniquely colored, powdery light blue foliage. Good side shoot production will supply a continued harvest of delicious florets.
Is yellow broccoli still good?
Yellow broccoli is safe to eat, although it may taste more bitter than green broccoli. Cooking broccoli tends to enhance its bitterness. The best bet is to cut off any yellow part and cook or eat the rest raw.
What is a whole broccoli called?
Crowning Head. The broccoli part most commonly eaten is called the curd, or head.
How long does it take for broccoli to mature?
The Calabrese broccoli matures in around 65 days and is perfect when planted in the fall. In fact, as the weather gets cooler the heads actually get sweeter. The broccoli has deep-green heads that are a medium size, and there are a lot of side shoots produced once the central head is harvested.
What is the purple sprouting broccoli?
Santee Broccoli. Also known as the purple sprouting broccoli, this type of broccoli produces lots of tender, purple flowers that have green stems. When you cook the florets they turn green, and there is a three- to five-week extended harvest period.
How long does it take for amadeus broccoli to grow?
Amadeus Broccoli. Maturing in a little under 60 days, the Amadeus broccoli is roughly four to five inches in diameter and has small beads and tight heads that are blue green in color. It has strong side-shoot production once you harvest the main head, and it is a very vigorous and medium-sized type of broccoli.
How big of a head of broccoli should I harvest?
The broccoli also has tender side-shoots spears in large numbers, but if you are interested in more of them you can harvest the main head at around three inches.
How long does it take for a diplomat broccoli to bloom?
They do especially well in colder climates that only get moderately warm in the summer months, and they bloom in a little over two months.
How long does it take for a happy rich plant to mature?
The Happy Rich is a very vigorous plant that matures in roughly 55 days. It has a lot of side shoots and produces large florets that actually look like miniature heads of broccoli. It is a hybrid plant and produces a large amount of food.
When should I plant Belstar Broccoli?
Maturing in roughly 70 days, the Belstar broccoli can tolerate both cold and heat, so you can plant it either in the spring or the fall.
What is speciality broccoli?
Specialty Broccoli Varieties. "Specialty" broccoli varieties include Sprouting Broccoli, Broccolini, and the wonderfully fractal 'Romanesco' broccoli, an Italian heirloom that looks like a broccoli-cauliflower cross. Sprouting broccoli are primitive broccoli plants that were the forerunners of today's heading broccoli.
What is a raab broccoli?
Broccoli Raab is a branching, as opposed to heading, type of broccoli. It forms multiple small heads, instead of one large central head. Harvest the tender shoots before the flowers open for best texture and flavor.
How long does it take for broccoli to grow?
Like most cool-season vegetables, broccoli has early and mid-season varieties. Early varieties mature in 50-60 days, mid-season varieties in 60-75 days. Days to maturity are from transplanting date; add 25-30 days if direct seeded.
How do broccoli varieties differ?
Broccoli varieties differ mainly in the shape and size of the head, time to maturation, side shoot production, and disease resistance. Home gardeners should look for blends of early and mid-season varieties to extend the season.
How long does it take for blue wind to produce?
‘Blue Wind’ (F1, 49-55 days) is an extra-early variety that produces large, tight heads in about 60 days. Has good side shoot production for a longer harvest, and the tender, bluish-green leaves near the top of the plant are excellent steamed or braised, like kale.
What is a NOP?
NOP (National Organic Program) guidelines allow the use of non-organic (but not GMO) seeds when organic seeds for that variety are not available. The way the plants are grown (without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides) is the primary determinant of whether they're grown organically.
How to harvest Chinese broccoli?
To harvest Chinese broccoli, cut off just above the roots before the flowers open. Cut off the young, tender tops of the plants, then split the wider base of the stems in half lengthwise. Stir fry with garlic and oil.
What is the name of the broccolini?
A perfect combination of its parents, broccolini has long, slim stalks with small, broccoli-like florets on top. Broccolini is also known as tender stem broccoli or poor man’s asparagus. It looks a lot like broccoli rabe but tastes less bitter. Name.
What is Calabrese Broccoli?
Calabrese Broccoli. Calabrese is what we all consider ‘broccoli in our mind’s eye when we hear the word. Source: Tony Austin. The mountain of broccoli that you see at the grocery store is usually a variety of Calabrese broccoli, or typical broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. italica ).
What is the name of the broccoli that looks like fractals?
Chinese Broccoli. Broccoli Rabe (Rapini) Broccolini. Romanesco Broccoli. Did you know that there are many different types of broccoli? You probably see veggies at your local grocery store or farmer’s market that look vaguely like broccoli but are leafier, skinnier, bright green, blue-green, or even look like fractals.
When should I plant sprouting broccoli?
Sprouts are delicious but are very different from sprouting broccoli. Sprouting broccoli is commonly planted in fall and overwintered for an early spring harvest. 6 to 8 weeks of cold temperatures (at or below 50°F/10°C ) are needed to produce florets.
Where did broccoli originate?
Source: b. inxee. As its name implies, Chinese broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) originated in China. It’s known by many other names like Chinese kale, gai lan, kailaan, and others.
What zone do Calabrese trees grow in?
If you’re interested in growing this well-known variety, it grows well in zones 3-10 and is particularly cold hardy. Most Calabrese varieties continue to produce mini-tree side shoots once you have harvested the central head, so look forward to a long harvest window. Name.
Where does broccoli come from?
It’s named after Calabria, a region in southern Italy (think the toe and ankle of the Italy boot). Calabrese broccoli forms a large central head with tight florets, aka tiny flowers. These thick, flowering stems give typical broccoli its signature look; they look like tiny trees!