Cauliflower is a member of the Brassica family grown for its head or curd, which is composed of a cluster of flowers. The head is most often pure white to a slight cream in color, but what if there is a purple tint on cauliflower? Is it safe to eat purple cauliflower?
Help, My Cauliflower Turned Purple!
It happened to me the first time I grew cauliflower in my home garden; my cauliflower turned purple. It was my first foray into vegetable growing, about 20 years or more ago. Everything was an experiment. The Internet was more or less non-existent, so I often relied on my mother or aunt to clue me in on gardening problems and possible solutions. Thankfully, they told me this purple tint on cauliflower was not a disease, fungus or pest. Cauliflower is a cool weather veggie which thrives in the cool temperatures of spring and fall. As mentioned, it is grown for its whitish to cream-colored head or curd. But cauliflower naturally has a range of colors, even tending towards purple, yellow, red or blue tints. This purple color in cauliflower is caused by the presence of anthocyanin, which is exacerbated by sun exposure. It is a harmless water soluble pigment found in colorful foods such as grapes, plums, berries, red cabbage and eggplant. Certain varieties, such as 'Snow Crown,' have a stronger propensity for a purple color in cauliflower heads.
Preventing Cauliflower with Purple Tinge
To prevent growing cauliflower that has a purple tinge to it, purchase a self-blanching variety which has been developed to reduce problems with curd tinting, or blanch or cover the head as it is developing. Also, schedule the maturation of the cauliflower for cooler months such as September and October. Lengthy, hot summer days will cause a purple color in cauliflower heads; you may even see leaves sprouting out of the curd. If this has already happened, there's nothing to be done about it except to take note for next year's crop. To blanch a cauliflower head, tie the outer leaves over the developing curd when it is 2 inches (5 cm.) across, securing them with a clip or gardening twine. The leaves will shield the developing curd from the sun and allow it to maintain its whitish coloration. Planting time for cauliflower is also an important consideration to avoid the formation of purplish curds. Cauliflower needs daytime temps of between 70-85 F. (21-29 C.) but with an early enough start time for a long enough growing season to support maturation of a large head. If you plant too early, however, a late season frost can kill the young cauliflower. You may need to look for early maturing or late maturing varieties, depending on the climate in your area and the length of your growing season. The earliest varieties mature in just 60 days and, in some regions, you can get an early harvest and then replant in June for a fall harvest.
Is It Safe to Eat Purple Cauliflower?
If it's too late and the cauliflower curd is already tinged purple, don't despair. Purple cauliflower is perfectly safe to eat. It may have a bit of an “off” flavor and, as such, you may want to use it raw; cooking it will only increase the “off” flavor. Heating the purplish florets will also change the color from purple to gray or slate blue, especially if your water is hard or has an alkaline pH -- not the most appetizing hues. If you can't stand raw cauliflower and want to cook it, add a bit of vinegar or cream of tartar (tartaric acid) to the water to minimize the color change.
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FAQs
Discoloration or purple tinged cauliflower (in white varieties) is often caused by exposure to sunlight. To prevent this clip outer leaves together with a clothespin when the head is visible and about 2 inches wide to keep out of sunlight. This process is called blanching.
Is it OK to eat a cauliflower that is turning purple? ›
ANSWER: A cauliflower head with colorful pigments is still perfectly safe to eat. Indeed, they are richer in beneficial antioxidants than white cauliflower. There are cauliflower cultivars that are purple, orange, light green and yellow, although we generally prefer them white. No need for concern.
Why are my cauliflower leaves turning purple? ›
Phosphorus deficiency in cauliflower
Older leaves are pale bluish green with purple discoloration. Especially the underside of leaves turns red. Phosphorus deficiency on leaves Nitrogen deficiency leads to red discoloration too, but in this case leaves are light green.
How to tell if cauliflower has gone bad? ›
If instead of pale brown, the spots are dark brown to black in color, the curds have taken on a mushy texture, or have an off-putting odor, it's best to toss the head of cauliflower and get a fresh one. These are all signs of decay and spoilage.
Does purple cauliflower stay purple? ›
Depending on the variety, if Purple cauliflower is heavily steamed or boiled, it will lose its coloring and develop a slight green tinge, but the florets are still edible and retain a neutral flavor. A splash of lemon juice or vinegar can also assist in keeping the purple hues.
Is purple cauliflower good or bad? ›
Is It Safe to Eat Purple Cauliflower? If it's too late and the cauliflower curd is already tinged purple, don't despair. Purple cauliflower is perfectly safe to eat. It may have a bit of an “off” flavor and, as such, you may want to use it raw; cooking it will only increase the “off” flavor.
How to prevent cauliflower from discolouring? ›
Discoloured heads – protect the developing curds from sun and frost, which can turn them yellow or brown, by folding the leaves over the head and tying in place with string if necessary.
What nutrient deficiency causes purple leaves? ›
Phosphorus deficiency commonly causes older leaves to curl, distort, and remain smaller than normal. Unusually purple leaf veins and tip dieback from phosphorus deficiency. Purpling of leaf undersides due to phosphorus deficiency.
When to pick purple cauliflower? ›
Harvest: Should be harvested while heads are still dense and compact, after the center leaves covering the head begin to open and expose the purple florets. To harvest, use a sharp knife to cut the stalk about 1″ below the head.
Why is my cauliflower turning purple in the fridge? ›
The purple color in cauliflower is caused by the presence of anthocyanin, which is a harmless, water-soluble pigment in the curd. Anthocyanin is the same pigment found in red cabbage.
Depending on the freshness of your cauliflower, it should last five days. You can also cut up the cauliflower before storing it. Dry the florets on a paper towel, transfer them to an airtight container, and place them in the fridge. Florets can last four or five days in the refrigerator.
Can spoiled cauliflower make you sick? ›
“Thus, there are no safety concerns associated with consuming the cauliflower.” With that in mind, are there times when spots on the cauliflower are problematic? Absolutely. “If the spots are small and the cauliflower otherwise smells and feels fresh (crisp, not slimy), it's likely still good to eat,” Clark said.
Is it safe to eat cauliflower with purple spots? ›
And yes, it's perfectly safe to eat cauliflower with a handful of unattractive spots on it. “The oxidation process does not lead to the creation of harmful compounds and is a natural reaction between phenols and oxygen,” said Kelly Costa, a registered dietitian and health research specialist.
Is purple cauliflower healthier than white cauliflower? ›
Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.
What is color purple cauliflower? ›
This color comes from the presence of anthocyanins, which are natural pigments that provide color to many fruits and vegetables, including blueberries, blackberries, and red grapes. Purple cauliflower is otherwise similar to other types of cauliflower in terms of its nutritional content and taste.
Can you eat cauliflower when it turns pink? ›
They are safe to eat, and taste the same, if not better, it just isn't how they are sold in supermarkets.
Is purple cauliflower rare? ›
The purple color of the cauliflower is naturally occurring, as are other pigments like orange and green. Sprouting Cauliflower may be spotted at farmer's markets or specialty stores.
