BROCCOLI

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison”

Ann Wigmore

Broccoli is known as one of the best vegetables in the world.

Broccoli, or Brassica oleracea, belongs to the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family. This erect, branched, annual plant is usually about 60-90 cm tall. The head of broccoli is usually green and consists of small flower buds arranged in the form similar to a mini-tree. Its thick stem is eatable as well as flower buds. If not harvested in time the flower head will be full of yellow flowers. The name broccoli derives from the Italian word broccolo which means the flowering part of a cabbage. The history of this vegetable started in the 6^th century BC in the northern Mediterranean. Nowadays there are 3 most popular types of broccoli: Calabrese, sprouting broccoli and purple cauliflowers.

Useful components

• Vitamins A, C, K
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Protein
• Fat
• Fiber
• Carbohydrates
• Lutein
• Zeaxanthin

Interesting broccoli facts

• Broccoli contains a high mount of vitamin C. One cup of chopped broccoli is equivalent in vitamin C content to one orange.
• Broccoli was first brought to the USA by Thomas Jefferson in 1767.
• China is the largest producer of broccoli in the world.
• Some people feel a bitter taste when eating broccoli. Some scientists claim that there is a gene that is responsible for bitter taste perception in broccoli.
• Broccoli is known to be President Obama’s favorite food.
• There is a song about broccoli performed by the Rocket Surgeons band.

Broccoli is used mainly as food, but can also be utilized as an ingredient of cosmetics, tinctures and extracts. 

And now in our rubric of useful recipes we are happy to offer you a nutritious and easy-to-make recipe of broccoli soup. The preparation of this dish will not take more than 40 minutes.

Broccoli soup recipe

What you need:

• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 packages of chopped frozen broccoli
• 1 big onion
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• Some salt and pepper
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 potato

Take a saucepan, pour some olive oil and saute onion and garlic until they become tender. Add chicken broth, potato and broccoli, bring to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes until vegetables are ready. Then take a mixer or a blender and puree the mixture. It should become smooth and homogeneous. Reheat the soup, garnish with some salt and pepper. Enjoy your meal!