Differences between broccoli and cauliflower
Cauliflower and broccoli are healthy vegetables. Many people mistakenly confuse them due to their similar appearance. The difference between broccoli and cauliflower is that small and somewhat rounded leaves are typical for cabbage, while in broccoli they are much coarser, their blades are much deeper, petioles predominate in length.
Differences between broccoli and cauliflower
Features of each vegetable
Of the most notable similarities between asparagus and cauliflower, there is an almost identical appearance, if you do not take into account one thing - some details such as the size, color of the shoots.
Broccoli and cauliflower are different:
- biochemical composition of cruciferous plants;
- asparagus is used in its original form, while cauliflower needs heat treatment;
- cauliflower is more demanding on growing conditions;
- the vegetative period of broccoli is up to 65 days;
- while cauliflower bears fruit once a year, asparagus is capable of producing crops for several months in a row.
Cauliflower
Cabbage is characterized by white or yellowish tints. Cauliflower is an annual spring or winter plant. The root system is fibrous and located below the soil surface.
The stalk on the cut looks cylindrical in shape, its height varies from 10 to 70 cm, the leaves are obliquely or straight, the plates have a spiral curvature. The configuration of the leaves also varies widely: whole sessile or closer to pinnately-lyre-divided with petioles. The latter can reach up to 40 cm in length. The color varies from light green to green-blue tones, there are gray shades and bright anthocyanin pigmentation. The leaf blade is narrow, can be truncated oval, truncated elliptical, ovoid or lanceolate. The size of the leaves is large, from 20 to 90 cm. The amount of wax plaque is different for individual representatives.
The cauliflower organs used are flowering shoots located in the axils of the upper foliage, or the heads are highly branched apex shoots that are closely twisted. The color of these heads and flowering shoots varies within the green spectrum, but there are purple, yellow and white shades. The upper leaves are small or have the shape of a short oval, the edge is even or serrated. The fruit is a 6-9 cm long polyspermous pod.
Broccoli
Broccoli differs from cauliflower, first of all, in that it is green, unpretentious in temperature and soil composition.
Cabbage can be used for dietary meals
During the first year of life, the stem grows to sizes from 50 to 90 cm, forming flowering succulent branches at the top, on which greenish buds densely sit, forming a head. Until they have time to transform into yellow generative organs, the buds are cut off and further used by culinary specialists. By this time, the head diameter has already reached from 10 to 18 cm.Once cut, the lateral buds re-form usable buds, so broccoli can successfully bear fruit for several months a year.
Beneficial features
Like many other vegetables, broccoli and cauliflower contain fiber necessary for the digestive process, so these foods are low in calories and are good for weight loss. Also, these crucifers are important for humans due to the rich content of vitamins, amino acids and minerals, however, cauliflower is inferior in terms of their content. A notable feature of these crucifers is the fact that they cannot cause harm, tk. do not have the ability to provoke an allergic reaction.
Both plants contain water, fiber, vitamins, various amino acids and mineral elements. Vitamin U is an effective action against various ulcers, A-retinol has a beneficial effect on many organ systems, especially on the eyes, E-tocopherol is necessary for the proper functioning of the reproductive system, ascorbic acid helps the body fight viral diseases and develop strong immunity to them.
In addition, they contain such micro- and macroelements: potassium for excretion of salts, calcium for connective tissues, magnesium for the cardiovascular system, sodium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, copper, zinc, selenium and other elements.
The benefit is that Beta-carotene is used in cosmetology to maintain youthful and fresh skin. Chlorophyll maintains the composition of the blood, the amount of essential amino acids is found in large quantities in beef, which is why the usefulness of both types of cabbage should not be underestimated. Another interesting ability is that these vegetable crops can literally "please", because help produce endorphins.
An unconditional advantage over animal products is the absence of cholesterol in cabbage, which makes it different, for example, from the protein part of chicken eggs. Therefore, this product is especially useful for people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system. In addition, these vegetables naturally cleanse the intestines, optimize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive processes.
Conclusion
Although cauliflower and broccoli are similar in appearance, the difference between them is a difference in the biological and chemical description of the plant. Their properties are valuable in medical practice, because are able to have a beneficial effect on many body processes. The mixture of nutrients makes these products useful and practically irreplaceable.