Storing cauliflower: this is how it lasts the longest

cauliflower, ready for cooking
cauliflower, ready for cooking

Cauliflower should be stored properly to preserve its flavor and vitamins. Here you can find out how to do this and how long it will last.

The cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is composed of several florets. In addition to the classic varieties with white heads, there are also colorful varieties with yellow, purple or green cabbage florets. Depending on the variety and weather conditions, the main season of cauliflower falls between June and October. Freshly harvested, the cabbage vegetable is particularly tasty and healthy. It offers minerals, B vitamins and plenty of vitamin C, but contains hardly any carbohydrates or calories. Cauliflower can be cooked and prepared in a variety of ways. If stored properly, it can be kept for a few weeks to months. With the following tips, the taste and most of the ingredients will be preserved.

Storing cauliflower

How long does cauliflower last at room temperature?

When stored at room temperature, cauliflower quickly loses quality and lasts only two to four days. The lower the temperature in the room where you store cauliflower, the longer it will keep. Therefore, it is recommended to store cauliflower in the coolest possible place.

How long does cauliflower stay fresh in the refrigerator?

If you store cauliflower properly in the refrigerator, the shelf life is about five days. You should leave the leaves on the cabbage and wash the vegetable just before preparing it. Wrapped in a slightly damp dish towel or perforated plastic bag, cauliflower is best in the refrigerator. Without air holes, moisture quickly accumulates, which would encourage mold growth and shorten shelf life. Individual cauliflower florets are best stored in a sealable container in the crisper and eaten as soon as possible.

Can cauliflower be stored in the cellar?

To store cauliflower in the cellar, it is best to harvest the cabbage with the roots. While removing the leaves, leave the root ball on the vegetable until processing. Attach a string to it and hang the cauliflower upside down so that the heads of the cabbage do not touch. At high humidity and a room temperature of about 5 °C / 41 °F, cauliflower can be stored in the cellar for about a month.

Can cauliflower be frozen?

Cauliflower can be frozen raw without any problems. However, it is even better to blanch the vegetable before freezing to preserve color, flavor and ingredients. To blanch cauliflower, place the washed florets in boiling water for two to three minutes. Then rinse the vegetables in cold water and let them cool completely and drain before packing them in the freezer. Frozen cauliflower will keep for about a year.

How can you tell that cauliflower is no longer good?

The first way to recognize that cauliflower is no longer good and edible is by its appearance. The white color takes on a yellowish or grayish tinge, the florets lose firmness and gradually detach from the stalk. As a result, the cabbage head increasingly loses its shape and compactness. In addition to soft or even mushy consistency, dark spots on the florets are another sign of spoilage. In addition, cauliflower that is no longer good develops an unpleasant, musty odor. If the vegetables have already molded in the refrigerator, it is recommended to wipe out the vegetable compartment with vinegar to remove mold spores.

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