Cauliflower is one of the several vegetables from the genus Brassica. This is an annual plant that is planted in several regions because of the vegetable growing on it. People should understand that only the head of this plant is eaten but some users might also prefer its leaves. The plant is usually known for being easy to maintain and it can also be harvested several times a year. The vegetables growing on it are not only delicious but are also quite healthy.
This is why tons of users think about keeping them in their gardens, but you should note that there are also some problems that you can run into. Recently, people have been asking the question “Why does my cauliflower turn brown?”. If you are getting the same problem, then going through this article should help you in getting rid of it. This is because we will be providing you with some reasons behind the issue as well as ways that can be used to get rid of it.
Why Does Cauliflower Turn Brown?
- Cauliflower Getting Brown Spots From Oxidation
While vegetables like cauliflowers can be great to plant in your gardens. A common problem runs into is brown spots forming on them which usually happens when storing them. When it comes to this, people should understand that the issue is from oxidation. This is a process where the vegetable reacts with oxygen in the air to change the color of its outer layer.
With time, the color can spread and eventually cover the entire vegetable. This phenomenon can also be seen with apples that have been cut. People will notice that the color on them will change from bright white to brown within a few hours. Keeping this in mind, people should note that the color does not usually cause any issues other than making the vegetable unappealing.
As long as this is used quickly, the cauliflower should be safe to consume. If you continue to leave the vegetable stored, then the texture of your vegetable will also start to change. This can make them inedible which is quite annoying. This is why the best solution is that people consume the cauliflowers quickly and as soon as possible.
With that being said, if you don’t want to eat the brown parts then these can also be removed using a knife. The process is quite easy, but people should remove the layers by making thin cuts as they might waste the vegetable. If you notice that the color of the vegetable turns from brown to a darker shade or black, then you should throw it away as this is not safe to consume.
- Storing Cauliflower Properly
If your cauliflowers have already formed brown spots on them then the steps mentioned above are more than enough to deal with the issue. However, if you are someone who wants to avoid the issue then you should take some additional steps.
When it comes to this, the way you store the vegetable plays a huge role in how it will stay. People have to first dry the cauliflower using a paper towel so that the moisture on its outer layer can be removed. Now place them in a plastic bag and tie it loosely.
This helps in ensuring that the vegetable can stay away from light and air preventing oxidation. While the method helps in further preserving the vegetable, people should understand that these will still turn brown. This is why you should consume them before the color starts changing. Cooking cauliflowers that have turned brown is another great way of consuming them easily.
- Pests On Plant
Finally, if you are still getting the same issue with your vegetables then these might be affected by pests. This usually happens due to a variety of insects, but people must take care of the issue as soon as possible. The longer your plant stays infested, the faster it will spread.
The insects will eventually ruin the harvest which is why removing them is important. Using pesticides is a great way of ensuring that all of these can be killed, leaving your plant healthy. But keep in mind that these chemicals take some time to get rid of the pests.