Broccoli

Broccoli originates from the Calabria region of Italy, which is why it is sometimes called calabrese.

Calabrese is the variety we see most often here in the UK, but you can also find varieties like purple sprouting broccoli, Tenderstem® and Bellaverde®.

There is a wealth of research which suggests that broccoli is helpful in the prevention of certain cancers, in particular prostate cancer.

Tenderstem®

Tenderstem® Broccoli has its origins in Japan where it was developed using classical plant breeding techniques. The idea was to breed a more flavoursome Brassica by crossing Broccoli and Chinese Kale.

Bellaverde®

Bellaverde’s® is a young and sweeter style Broccoli which is harvested after the main Broccoli head is picked from the fresh new shoots which develop. The shoots grow above the plant so that they can catch the sunlight. The sunlight and the quick growth give the shoots their attractive green colour and distinctive sweet taste and texture.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli

More than 1,500 acres of purple sprouting broccoli is grown in the UK to meet the demands of food fans, who seek out PSB, as it has come to be known. The broccoli variety has a delicate taste and a distinctive purple colour. British PSB has a summer and a winter season resulting from two separate plantings so that it is available for much of the year, but the traditional time to enjoy it is in early spring.

Beneforté

Beneforté broccoli has developed from British science using traditional breeding methods to contain 2-3 times more of a naturally occurring compound, glucoraphanin. Research suggests that glucoraphanin could help to maintain cardiovascular disease and reduce the risks of some forms of cancer.