Cauliflower is a variety of cabbage from the Brassicaceae family, cultivated as a vegetable for its enlarged and fleshy floral meristem, eaten as a vegetable. The term also designates this vegetable.
Description
Scientific name: Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L., family Brassicaceae (cruciferous), subfamily Brassicoideae.
It is a variety of common cabbage (Brassica oleracea), from several centuries of selection.
Common names: cauliflower, Cyprus cabbage, Syrian cabbage; from: Blumenkohl, in: cauliflower, es: coliflor, it: cavolfiore.
Cauliflower is a biennial herb that produces a tender, compact white ball. This ball is a meristem, a pre-floral organ which, if it is allowed to evolve, continues its growth in flower stems which will carry yellow or white flowers, typical of the genus Brassica, then finally the seeds.
The meristem is harvested before the cabbage reaches the flowering stage, otherwise it becomes unfit for consumption.
The ribbed leaves develop tightly around this inflorescence.
It was introduced into Western Europe from the 15th century, and was considered a delicacy until the 17th century. Its culture developed in France from 1830.
The classic cauliflower in France is white, but in Italy there are many traditional types of various colors, such as Sicilian Violet (purple) and Romanesco (sulfur yellow). These types have recently been improved, and are appearing on European markets. On the other hand, orange cauliflower is a recent production. Cuts made change color (more or less blue or red) depending on the pH.
In 2017 French production was 305,915 tonnes. The cultivated area is 16,746 hectares, a yield of 18.3 tonnes per hectare. The main producing departments are Finistère, Côtes-d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Manche and the North. Foreign trade is in surplus ː 145,861 tonnes produced are exported and 52,750 tonnes are imported.
Culture
The cauliflower seedlings are prepared in spring (late May to early June).
Plants are placed in July and August.
Cauliflowers are harvested between October and May depending on the variety, with a possible harvest in autumn if sowing is done at the end of May in a shaded nursery.