4 Colors of Cauliflower: White, Orange, Green, and Purple

Cauliflower is a vegetable closely related to broccoli, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts. It's very nutritious, rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, and it's also low in calories.

Nutritional Value of 1 Cup Raw Cauliflower

• 75% of our daily vitamin C requirement
• 20% of our daily vitamin K requirement
• 2.5 grams fiber (10% of our daily requirement)

Many consumers may be familiar with only white cauliflower, as it is the most widely available type. However, cauliflower varieties also include orange, green, and purple. Like the different colors of bell peppers, each color has different characteristics, flavors, and health benefits.

Cauliflower is a nutritious and tasty vegetable—and so colorful, like a bunch of beautiful flowers. It is no wonder the word “cauliflower” means “cabbage flower” in Italian.

The Many Colors of Cauliflower

You can find colored cauliflowers at local farmers' markets. However, most grocery stores carry only the white ones. You might also be able to find them at Whole Foods stores.

1. White Cauliflower

It is not unusual to see white cauliflowers in the produce section of grocery stores. Even though there are three other colors, it might be strange to see them.

White cauliflowers are the ones that have been around all the time. However, the other three colors began appearing at farmers' markets only about a decade ago. Those other colors have become popular and widely available in the last few years.

All cauliflowers have firm florets with the same texture and a similar mild, sweet, and nutty flavor. All the colors can be prepared the same way. They can be roasted, steamed, mashed, fried, grilled, made into rice, made into potatoes, made into flour, or cooked in a soup. You can also eat all of them raw in a salad.

White cauliflower is the standard and most popular color. It has a contrasting white head surrounded by green leaves. It is the one found in most grocery stores, while the other colors are hard to find. White cauliflower is generally the color of cauliflower most shoppers purchase, but colored cauliflower may be healthier than white varieties.

2. Orange Cauliflower

Orange cauliflower gets its coloring from additional beta-carotene, which also gives carrots their color. Orange cauliflower's vitamin A content is about 25 times higher than that of other colors, which makes orange cauliflower healthier. It is called “cheddar” cauliflower because it has the color of cheese, but it tastes nothing like cheese. Its flavor is mild, slightly sweet, and creamy, like the purple cauliflower. Unlike purple cauliflower, which tends to lose its color when cooked, the orange cauliflower's color usually becomes even more intense.

3. Green Cauliflower

Green cauliflower contains chlorophyll and is known as "broccoflower." It may look more like broccoli than cauliflower. Green cauliflowers are similar to broccoli in their texture and are more fibrous than the other colors.

Notice that the florets look like spikes and stick out instead of being flat like those of the other colors. Green cauliflowers tend to have a slightly sweeter and milder taste than their cousins.

4. Purple Cauliflower

Purple cauliflower is the healthiest one of the four, with many benefits. The purple color is caused by the presence of the antioxidant anthocyanins. Those are the water-soluble pigments that are found in many other plants and plant-based products, such as red cabbage and red wine.

Like orange cauliflowers, purple cauliflowers are higher in antioxidants than white cauliflowers. Purple cauliflowers have been linked to reducing inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and the risk of cancer. Purple cauliflowers may turn light green when cooked. If you want them to keep their bold color, simply add lemon juice while cooking to preserve the deep purple hues.

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