Broccoli is an excellent veggie as it is high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, enhancing any meal’s flavor. However, it may deteriorate and lose all of its nutritional content if not properly preserved.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the ways you may tell whether your broccoli is rotten.
How to Determine if Your Broccoli is Already Spoiled?
You are mostly advised to use broccoli within three days after purchase. Here is what you need to look for when determining whether or not your broccoli is fresh.
- The firmness of the trunk – spoiled broccoli will have a slimy, soft texture.
- Color of the broccoli – Broccoli florets that have turned from their usual dark green to a yellowish color indicate that they have begun to spoil. Therefore, you should consider disposing of them as soon as possible.
- Presence of mold – mold is very easy to spot, hence you can easily notice its presence on broccoli. The molds will appear as fuzzy spots on the broccoli head. Look for any dark areas on the trunk as well. If the spots on the broccoli are minimal, you can cut off the affected region and eat the rest. Florets here may look darker and dehydrated.
- The smell of the broccoli – broccoli has no smell, and in fact, it smells fresh. If the odor is bitterer than it usually is, then the broccoli has most likely gone bad.
How to Keep Broccoli Fresh?
You should wrap your broccoli in a wet paper towel. Simply drape a paper towel loosely over the heads to absorb some of the wetness. Then, store it in the fridge for three days. The broccoli shouldn’t be kept in a container that is securely sealed or wrapped with paper towels. To stay fresh, broccoli needs regular ventilation.
You should blanch and freeze your broccoli for a more durable impact. But it should be warned that if they are frozen for more than six months, they could have freeze burn.
Keep in mind that you should consume your broccoli no later than three days after purchasing it. Broccoli’s shelf life won’t be increased by storing it in the refrigerator.
What to Look for When Buying Fresh Broccoli?
Sometimes the “best before date” on the broccoli’s packaging is not always correct. Therefore, you should not religiously follow it. If you spot the following changes in your broccoli, even before the best-before date, consider throwing the broccoli away.
- The change in the color of the florets – They should be a deep dark green color. Avoid broccoli with yellow patches of florets.
- The size of the florets – Are they small and nearly indistinguishable? Or, are they massive and stuffed? A broccoli plant should have florets that are about the size of a match head, which indicates that it is mature.
- Firmness and tightness in the head – The healthiest broccoli should be solid and hard, but not entirely unyielding.
In conclusion, broccoli is a highly perishable vegetable; therefore, it should not be preserved for long – unless it is frozen. This will enable you fully enjoy its benefits and also protect you from food-borne illnesses.
Read further: How To Boil Broccoli: Simple Kitchen Hacks