What is purple broccoli? - The Ultimate Guide

A vegetable that looks like a miniature tree can’t be anything but healthy.

However, many people cannot get over the taste of broccoli for many health benefits. But what about the purple broccoli? It looks better and is more attractive. Maybe you know better too…

What is purple broccoli?  Purple broccoli is a sprouting variety of broccoli distinguished by the purple hue of its florets. It differs from green broccoli not only because of its color, but also because of its flavor, texture, and nutritional value. 

Read on to learn more about purple sprouted broccoli and how it differs from green broccoli. You’ll also learn about the health benefits of this good-looking cruciferous vegetable and how to use it.

What is purple broccoli?

Some people consider broccoli to be a boring vegetable. However, this cruciferous vegetable has a reputation as a superfood and can make your diet much healthier if you know the right ways to use it.

All varieties of broccoli are healthy, and purple broccoli is no exception. Purple broccoli is also known as purple sprouted broccoli.

In case you didn’t know, sprouted broccoli is different from regular broccoli. Unlike normal broccoli, sprouted broccoli has small florets . Also, the harvest times for sprouted broccoli are winter and spring.

Purple broccoli is also known as winter sprouted broccoli as it grows during the colder season. 

What are the differences between purple broccoli and green broccoli?

If you think purple broccoli is the same as green, you’re right. But only in part. It is not only the color that differentiates the two. There are other notable differences between purple and green broccoli, too.

color and appearance

The key difference between sprouted purple broccoli and green broccoli is obviously the color.

However, purple broccoli is not completely purple. It is the flower clusters and leaves of the purple broccoli that have a purple hue . The intensity of the purple color can vary from one head to another.

Unlike most green broccoli varieties, purple broccoli plants have numerous smaller heads. Since purple broccoli heads are smaller, it stands to reason that they have a more tender texture.

Taste

Although color and appearance are two of the obvious differences between sprouted purple broccoli and green broccoli, the two varieties also differ in flavor.

Purple broccoli does not taste the same as green broccoli. However, it’s not drastically different either. Purple broccoli tastes sweeter than its green counterpart.

The sweetness of purple sprouted broccoli has to do with the fact that it is grown at cooler temperatures. 

So if you don’t like green broccoli for its flavor, it might be a good idea to try purple sprouted broccoli as you may enjoy its delicate flavor profile.

Purple broccoli can also be a good choice for children, as the small purple heads can be more attractive than their green cousin.

There is also baby purple broccoli, which has a slightly sweeter flavor profile, with notes of nutty and peppery . But this variety of purple broccoli does not lack the flavor of cruciferous vegetables either.

Texture

People who eat both purple and green broccoli claim that purple broccoli is more tender and brittle. This reduces the cooking time for purple sprouted broccoli.

Whether it’s green broccoli or purple broccoli, you want to avoid overcooking broccoli to maintain its crisp, appealing texture.

Overcooking this vegetable not only makes it soft and fall apart, but it also loses its color and flavor, as well as losing its nutrients.

So when cooking with purple broccoli, be extra careful as it is more tender than green broccoli and can overcook in a matter of seconds. 

The best way to prevent broccoli from overcooking is to blanch it. Boil the sprouts for 1-2 minutes and instantly transfer them to a bowl filled with cold water.

It may seem like a lot of work, but going through these steps is important, especially when working with broccoli varieties as fragile as purple sprouted broccoli.

Cooking methods and uses

The cooking methods and uses for purple broccoli are the same as for green broccoli. The only thing to keep in mind is that purple broccoli requires a shorter cooking time, as it has a more delicate texture.

Here’s how to cook and enjoy purple sprouted broccoli:

• Eat it raw.  As with regular green broccoli, eating it raw is also an option for purple broccoli. You can eat the purple sprouts as is, with a dressing, or seasoned with salt and pepper, and drizzled with olive oil or lemon juice for added flavor. Eating broccoli raw is the best way to get all the possible nutrients from this vegetable.
• Boiled/blanched.  Boiling purple broccoli will only take a couple of minutes. Be sure to run it under cold water to preserve the color and prevent the florets from overcooking.
• Steamed. Steaming purple broccoli is another healthy way to cook it. Steaming broccoli doesn’t take much time either: just 60 seconds longer than boiling.
• frying . It’s hard to imagine a vegetable stir fry without broccoli. It adds a lot of color and texture to the dish. Purple broccoli, similar to green broccoli, can be successfully added to stir-fries.
• roast . If you like the taste of this cruciferous vegetable, you’re sure to enjoy eating roasted purple broccoli. A few minutes in the oven will bring out the flavor of the purple broccoli. You just have to season it and drizzle it with olive oil.

You can use purple broccoli to make salads, stir-fries, gratins, pasta dishes, as well as serve it as a garnish for potatoes, salmon, chicken, beef, etc. Purple broccoli is also a great accompaniment to various sauces and sauces.

cultivation and availability

Both purple and green broccoli are cool-season crops. However, purple broccoli is more difficult to grow than green. It requires more patience, as purple broccoli takes longer to grow.

Also, you have to determine the right time to plant it, since sprouted purple broccoli needs to grow in the coolest temperatures. 

Unlike green broccoli, which you can find in supermarkets year-round, the availability of purple sprouted broccoli year-round is limited.

Freshly harvested purple broccoli is mainly available in late winter and early spring. 

As purple broccoli requires more cultivation effort, grows slower and is less productive, the price of this colorful variety of broccoli is always higher compared to normal green broccoli.

Considering the great health benefits of purple broccoli and the fact that there aren’t many vegetables in season at that time of year, you should definitely buy and cook with purple broccoli to get the most out of the season.

Storage and shelf life

There are no differences between purple and green broccoli in terms of shelf life and storage conditions.

In the case of both varieties, it is best to consume them as soon as possible. However, stored in the fridge and loosely wrapped in a plastic bag, broccoli will keep well for 4-6 days. 

You can freeze and keep broccoli for longer (up to 6 months), both the green and purple varieties. It is best to blanch broccoli before freezing to preserve its color, flavor, and texture.

nutritional data

Broccoli is a super healthy vegetable, whatever its color.

There are nutritional differences between sprouted purple and green broccoli. However, they are not as significant as might be expected. Green broccoli is slightly lower in calories and fat. It also contains less protein. 

But both varieties are good sources of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, K, folic acid (a natural B vitamin), iron, and calcium. 

Broccoli is known as a vegetable very rich in vitamin C. If this is the vitamin you are looking for, you should definitely choose purple broccoli instead of green. Sprouted purple broccoli has a much higher vitamin C content. 

One cup of purple sprouted broccoli is said to contain 135% of the recommended daily value for vitamin C. 

Here are other benefits that sprouted purple broccoli has.

• Low in carbohydrates and high in fiber.  This makes purple broccoli a great vegetable for those trying to lose weight. It can help you feel full for longer.
• High water content.  It may be hard to believe, but broccoli is 90% water. Therefore, it can be a great food to keep your body functioning properly and contribute to your overall water intake.
• Powerful antioxidants.  Broccoli is a good source of powerful antioxidants like vitamin K and vitamin C. These are essential nutrients that are said to help your body fight inflammation and free radicals.