Cauliflower Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cauliflower
Cauliflower, cultivar unknown
Species	Brassica oleracea
Cultivar group	Botrytis cultivar group
Origin	Northeast Mediterranean

Cauliflower plants growing in a nursery in New Jersey.

Cauliflower, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	104 kJ (25 kcal)

Carbohydrates	5 g
Sugars	1.9 g
Dietary fiber	2 g


Fat	0.3 g


Protein	1.9 g


Vitamins	Quantity %DV^†
Thiamine (B1)	4% 0.05 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	5% 0.06 mg
Niacin (B3)	3% 0.507 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)	13% 0.667 mg
Vitamin B6	14% 0.184 mg
Folate (B9)	14% 57 μg
Vitamin C	58% 48.2 mg
Vitamin E	1% 0.08 mg
Vitamin K	15% 15.5 μg


Minerals	Quantity %DV^†
Calcium	2% 22 mg
Iron	3% 0.42 mg
Magnesium	4% 15 mg
Manganese	7% 0.155 mg
Phosphorus	6% 44 mg
Potassium	10% 299 mg
Sodium	2% 30 mg
Zinc	3% 0.27 mg


Other constituents	Quantity
Water	92 g

Link to USDA Database entry
^†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults.

Cauliflower is a popular vegetable that belongs to the same plant family as broccoli and cabbage. We usually eat its white, rounded part, which is called the "head" or "curd." This head is actually made of many tiny flower parts.

Cauliflower grows from a seed each year. Its name comes from Latin words that mean "cabbage flower." Other vegetables in the same plant family include brussels sprouts, collard greens, and kale. Even though they are related, they look and taste different!

Cauliflower has been around for a very long time. It was brought to France from Italy in the 1500s. It became more common on dinner tables during the time of King Louis XIV.

Different Kinds of Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Colors
Eating and Nutrition
- Cooking Cauliflower
History of Cauliflower
Images for kids
See also

Different Kinds of Cauliflower

There are many different types of cauliflower grown around the world. Farmers and gardeners use hundreds of different varieties.

Cauliflower Colors

Most people think of cauliflower as white. However, it can also come in other colors!

Orange cauliflower gets its color from extra vitamin A.
Purple cauliflower gets its color from special plant chemicals called anthocyanins. These are the same chemicals that make red cabbage purple.
Green cauliflower is sometimes called "broccoflower." It's a mix between broccoli and cauliflower.
Green Romanesco cauliflower has a unique spiral shape.

One special type is called Romanesco cauliflower. It's green and has a very cool, spiky, spiral shape.

Eating and Nutrition

Cauliflower is a very healthy vegetable! It's low in fat and carbohydrates. It's also packed with good things like dietary fiber, folate, and lots of vitamin C. This means it has a high nutritional density, giving you many nutrients for few calories.

Cauliflower also contains special plant compounds that are good for your health. These compounds are common in the cabbage family.

Cooking Cauliflower

Aloo gobi is an Indian dish made with cauliflower and potatoes.

You can cook cauliflower in many ways:

You can roast it in the oven.
You can boil it in water.
You can steam it.
You can fry it.
You can even eat it raw in salads!

When you cook cauliflower, you usually remove the outer leaves and thick stalks. You only use the florets, which are the small, tree-like parts of the head. The leaves are also edible, but they are often thrown away. It's best to break the florets into similar sizes so they cook evenly.

Cauliflower can be a great substitute for potatoes or rice in some dishes, especially for people who want to eat fewer carbohydrates. It can give a similar texture, even though it doesn't have the same starch.

History of Cauliflower

People have known about cauliflower for a very long time. The oldest records of it go back to the 6th century B.C. The Roman writer Pliny wrote about it in the 2nd century.

In the 1100s, three types of cauliflower were described in Spain. They were brought there from Syria, where it had probably been grown for over a thousand years. Arab botanists also wrote about it in the 12th and 13th centuries, saying it came from Cyprus.