Orange Cauliflower
Estimated Inventory, 12 ct : 11.25
This item was last sold on : 04/29/25
Description/Taste
Orange cauliflower consists of a medium to large head, averaging 22 to 30 centimeters in diameter, and is surrounded by several elongated and narrow, green leaves that bear a thick, fibrous midrib. The heads are comprised of many tightly closed, branching florets that are firm, slightly crumbly, and range in color from pale to bright orange. It is important to note that the vibrancy of the orange coloring is not an indication of freshness, and each variety will display varying shades depending on sunlight and cultivation techniques. Underneath the surface, the bright orange coloring fades into white throughout the stems and core, and the flesh has a crisp and dense, snap-like consistency. Orange cauliflower contains a light, vegetal scent and has a mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavor. When cooked, the heads develop a soft, chewy, and tender texture and readily absorb accompanying flavors. In addition to the heads, all parts of the plant, including the stems and leaves, are edible.
Seasons/Availability
Orange cauliflower is available year-round, with a peak season in the fall through early winter.
Current Facts
Orange cauliflower, botanically classified as Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, is a colorful hybrid belonging to the Brassicaceae family. The pigmented cultivar was discovered growing in a field during the late 20th century and was further developed through years of traditional crossbreeding to showcase improved coloring and nutritional properties. Orange cauliflower contains a genetic mutation that allows the plant to store extra beta-carotene, giving the variety an orange hue. It is important to note that Orange cauliflower is not genetically modified and was solely created from natural occurrences. The name Orange cauliflower is a general descriptor used to encompass multiple varieties, including Cheddar, Orange Burst, and Orange Bouquet, and each cultivar will display varying shades of orange depending on growing conditions. Orange cauliflower is highly favored among chefs for its visually striking nature, versatility, and ability to hold its color even when cooked. The variety is also being studied as a potential crop to help fight against vitamin A deficiencies, a global issue found within many different communities worldwide.
Nutritional Value
Orange cauliflower is an excellent source of beta-carotene, the orange pigment found within the cauliflower head that can be converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A supports healthy organ functioning, improves skin complexion, and can boost the immune system. Orange cauliflower is also rich in vitamin C to reduce inflammation and contains lower amounts of potassium, fiber, iron, calcium, and magnesium.
Applications
Orange cauliflower has a mild, sweet, and subtly nutty flavor well suited to raw and cooked preparations, including steaming, grilling, sautéing, roasting, and baking. The florets can be utilized in any recipe calling for white cauliflower and will hold their color throughout the cooking process as the pigments are unaffected by heat. Orange cauliflower can be chopped into individual florets and eaten raw, served on appetizer platters with creamy dips, tossed into salads, or blended into fruit smoothies as a thickener. The florets can also be stirred into soups and curries, pickled for extended use, roasted in vegetable medleys, cooked and mashed, or baked intro gratins, casseroles, and macaroni and cheese. Beyond cutting the heads into florets, Orange cauliflower can be sliced into thicker pieces and roasted to create savory, steak-like cuts, or it can be combined with other ingredients to make gnocchi. They can also be crumbled into smaller pieces and stir-fried in place of rice, pressed together with binders to make healthy pizza crust or pureed into sauces and dips such as hummus. In addition to savory recipes, Orange cauliflower can be incorporated into chocolate pudding, baked into brownies, or made into ice cream. Orange cauliflower pairs well with salty, tart, and earthy flavors to enhance the variety’s natural sweetness. Combine the colorful florets with meats such as bacon, poultry, and fish, olives, herbs such as mint, thyme, and parsley, spices including garam masala, curry powder, za’atar, turmeric, and cinnamon, and cheeses such as parmesan, cheddar, and gruyere. The stems and leaves are also edible and can be finely chopped into salads or used to flavor soup stocks. Whole Orange cauliflower heads should be wrapped in a damp paper towel, placed in a plastic bag with ventilation, and stored in the crisper drawer where they will keep 7 to 14 days. Individual florets will hold up to 7 days when stored in a container in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Orange and purple cauliflower varieties have breathed new life into the ongoing cauliflower trend within the United States. Cauliflower was once a disliked, bland vegetable, but in the late 20th century and early 21st century, high-end chefs began rebranding cauliflower by using it in innovative dishes such as steak-like cuts with rich spices, roasting the heads whole with toppings, or frying the florets to create crispy bites. Over time, the vegetable rose to widespread commercial fame for its use as a simple carb replacement. Cauliflower has become a revered vegetable in health food diets, veganism, vegetarianism, and in the diets of omnivores looking to create comfort food classics with a healthy twist. The introduction of orange and purple varieties has also allowed the cauliflower movement to be reinvented with a fresh perspective, driven primarily through social media platforms. Orange cauliflower offers the versatility of white cauliflower with added nutritional benefits. The variety has recently become a popular ingredient in a vegetarian version of orange chicken as it provides natural coloring and a neutral flavor to simulate the classic dish.
Geography/History
Orange cauliflower was discovered in 1970, growing as a natural mutation in a field near Bradford Marsh, just north of Toronto, Canada. In 1981, the pigmented cauliflower was sent to the New York State Agricultural Station in Geneva, a part of Cornell University, where it was studied by breeder Michael H. Dickson, a specialist in cruciferous vegetables. Dickson spent eight years crossbreeding the orange cauliflower with white cauliflower varieties to develop a new variety with a favorable color, size, and taste. Orange cauliflower was first released to commercial growers in 1989, but the variety was not initially met with widespread acceptance. In the early 21st century, colored vegetables became a growing market across the United States with the rise of healthy food trends, leading Orange cauliflower varieties to become recognized commercial cultivars. Today Orange cauliflower can be found year-round through specialty grocers, wholesalers, and farmer’s markets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-884-5350 |
| The Tavern | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| The Cottage | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
| Harney Poway Sushi | Poway CA | 760-533-0051 |
| Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 877-230-1871 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
| Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Noble House Hotels & Resorts | San Diego CA | 619-276-4010 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Little Lion | San Diego CA | 619-519-4079 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Lou Lou's | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Carbon | San Diego CA | 702-423-3807 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 662-832-3638 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| All Aspects Catering and Events | San Diego CA | 855-287-7658 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Steady State Roasting | Carlsbad CA | 760-908-1680 |
| Secret Sister | San Diego CA | 619-281-0718 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Paradise Point Resort BQT Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Wayfarer Bread | La Jolla CA | 805-709-0964 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Savory Moment (1) | Carlsbad CA | 619-633-8863 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Fernside | San Diego CA | 619-398-5156 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Claytons Bakery & Bistro | Coronado CA | 619-435-5425 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-684-0044 Fausto |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | 619-255-7373 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Margaritaville Hotel SD (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-819-9500 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| The Crack Shack PB | San Diego CA | 619-450-7978 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Primal Balance Nutrition LLC | Vista CA | 818-259-0995 |
| The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. | San Diego CA | 619-368-3705 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Orange Cauliflower. One
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