Are Purple and Orange Cauliflower More Nutritious Than White? | Bottom Line Inc (2024)

Table of Contents
QUESTION ANSWER Related Articles FAQs

QUESTION

When I shop for produce, I have a hard time deciding whether to buy white, purple or orange cauliflower. Do the bright-colored varieties have special nutritional value?

ANSWER

Like broccoli, brussels sprouts, bok choy and cabbage, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable from the ultra-healthyBrassicaceaefamily. For the most part, all varieties of cauliflower are super nutritious.

Regardless of its color, cauliflower is low calorie—one cup of the cooked vegetable has only about 27 calories—and it delivers impressive levels of key nutrients. For example, a one-cup serving has about 55 mg of immune-boosting vitamin C…17 micrograms (mcg) of bone-healthy vitamin K…55 mcg of heart-protective folate…and 3 g of diabetes-fighting fiber. Cauliflower is also widely recognized as an anticancer food because it is a rich source of certain phytochemicals, especially a sulfur compound calledisothiocyanate that has been shown in animal research to help fight the production of esophageal tumors and to inhibit the survival of human prostate cancer cells in laboratory studies.

When it comes to those lovely colored versions of cauliflower, they do offer a few special nutrients. Compared with white cauliflower, the orange variety contains extra beta-carotene (about 480 mcg per cup vs. about 9 mcg)…while purple cauliflower contains high levels of anthocyanins (about 7 grams per cup), the same flavonoids that give certain fruits, such as tart cherries, blueberries and blackberries, their rich red, purple and blue hue. Purple carrots and purple asparagus are also good sources of these health-promoting compounds. Best known for their powerful anti-inflammatory effects, anthocyanins have been found to help reduce risk for a range of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease and cognitive decline.

The fact is, you can’t go wrong with any color cauliflower. To get the widest variety of nutrients, you may want to mix things up and opt for a different color of the veggie from time to time. The taste is about the same regardless of the color, and there are a number of delicious recipes that use cauliflower of all colors!

Are Purple and Orange Cauliflower More Nutritious Than White? | Bottom Line Inc (2024)

FAQs

Are Purple and Orange Cauliflower More Nutritious Than White? | Bottom Line Inc? ›

Raw or roasted, colorful vegetables are generally high in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and fiber. They're also great for nourishing your body. Orange cauliflower packs about 25 times more vitamin A than white cauliflower. Darker red and purple carrots

carrots
morcov m (plural morcovi) carrot.
https://en.wiktionary.org › wiki › morcov
are chock-full of vitamin A and antioxidants.

Is purple cauliflower more nutritious than white cauliflower? ›

Relative to other variants of this vegetable, purple cauliflower benefits your health in a unique way thanks to the presence of an antioxidant called anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is what gives this type of cauliflower its rich purple hue, and it can help prevent heart disease and reduce inflammation.

What is the most nutritious cauliflower variety? ›

Purple. Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.

Is orange cauliflower healthier than white? ›

When it comes to those lovely colored versions of cauliflower, they do offer a few special nutrients. Compared with white cauliflower, the orange variety contains extra beta-carotene (about 480 mcg per cup vs. about 9 mcg)…

Is purple cauliflower genetically modified? ›

It is important to note that Purple cauliflower is not genetically modified and gets its purple coloring from anthocyanin, a naturally occurring phytochemical commonly found in fruits and vegetables.

Which color cauliflower is best? ›

Coloured cauliflower varieties: Yellow, green, and purple cauliflowers are more nutritionally valuable than their white counterpart due to a higher concentration of vitamins and other elements, and they look quite pretty too.

Is cauliflower the healthiest food you can eat? ›

It's high in vitamins C and K, and is also a good source of folate, which supports cell growth and is essential during pregnancy. Cauliflower is fat-free and cholesterol-free. And it's low in sodium. A one-cup serving contains only 25 calories, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of dietary fiber.

Is it okay to eat cauliflower every day? ›

The fact that it's a vegetable makes cauliflower automatically good for you. Additionally, cauliflower is packed with nutrients that give it unique benefits, such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and choline. These properties give you a good reason to eat it frequently or even daily.

Is it better to eat cauliflower raw or cooked? ›

Eating raw cauliflower provides maximum vitamin C content, but cooking cauliflower allows your body to absorb more nutrients, such as vitamin K and potassium. Roasting or steaming cauliflower brings out its natural flavors and adds a delightful texture.

Why is cauliflower better for you than potatoes? ›

Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

Does orange cauliflower stay orange when cooked? ›

In sum, orange cauliflower will hold its color no matter how (or how long) you cook it and green cauliflower will stay green as long as you don't overcook it. Stick with sautéing purple cauliflower to prevent its color from fading or make sure to blanch it until just crisp-tender.

Is cauliflower better for you than rice? ›

However, rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates, meaning it will fill you up without providing you with many additional nutrients. Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

Which is better for you broccoli or cauliflower? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

Can you eat purple cauliflower raw? ›

Purple cauliflower is surprisingly much better for us than White cauliflower. It can be eaten raw and steamed (it takes less time to steam than White cauliflower). If cooked too much the cauliflower will lose its purple color and turn green ‐ which isn't bad but it will cease to look nice.

Is it safe to eat cauliflower stems turning purple? ›

Is It Safe to Eat Purple Cauliflower? If it's too late and the cauliflower curd is already tinged purple, don't despair. Purple cauliflower is perfectly safe to eat. It may have a bit of an “off” flavor and, as such, you may want to use it raw; cooking it will only increase the “off” flavor.

Does purple cauliflower stay purple when cooked? ›

In my experience, purple cauliflower does not stay very purple when cooked. Roasting, grilling, and sautéing turns it blue-ish. Steaming/boiling fades the purple color, dulling it significantly and turns it a bit brown-ish.

Which is the healthiest broccoli or cauliflower? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

Is purple cauliflower OK to eat? ›

It is perfectly safe to eat it either raw or cooked, although the flavor may be subtly different from the familiar white variety. Purple cauliflower has some added natural sweetness and is usually described as having a mild, sweet, nutty flavor.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6594

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.