Broc - What's up? I'm Broc, and you guessed it - I am a broccoli plant! The edible portion of the broccoli plant is made up of the tender stem and the unopened flower buds. Broccoli from fields is harvested in the early morning because it wilts very rapidly in the sun. Field crates or baskets full of broccoli are then taken to a packing shelter where the broccoli is bunched and iced. The broccoli head (which is what I am) should be cut before the flower buds open. If the buds begin to open and the yellow flower petals begin to show, then the head is over-mature and unfit for market. Broccoli heads for market should be about 9 to 10 inches (about 22 to 25 cm) from the base of the stem to the top of the head.

Printer Friendly Version