Rich in proteins and great in taste, the broccoli is favorite of many! If you like them too, then these Types of Broccoli are a must-try!
You must be familiar with dark green florets of broccoli on thick lime green stems. But do you know there are several varieties available that are skinnier, leafier, purple, white, spirally-pointed, and lime green? Sounds exciting? Time to discover some of the best Types of Broccolis!
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Types of Broccoli For Home Growers
Calabrese
Calabrese forms a thick stem and 4-5 inches large central head with dark green, tight tiny buds, that gives an impression of a small tree. This is one of the most famous Types of Broccoli that you generally see in supermarkets.
1. Belstar
Days to Maturity: 55-65 days
Belstar is a compact, heat-tolerant hybrid variety. The 16-20 inch plant forms 6-8 inch blue-green heads.
2. Destiny
Days to Maturity: 75-90 days
‘Destiny’ is a hybrid, which grows medium green rounded heads on 12-18 inches dwarf plant. This variety does not produce side shoots.
3. Blue Wind
Days to Maturity: 55-60 days
‘Blue Wind’ is also a hybrid broccoli variety. It produces light blue leaves and tightly packed dense heads. You can harvest the side shoots all season long.
4. DiCicco
Days to Maturity: 45-50 days
‘DiCicco’ is an Italian heirloom variety ideal for zones 3-10. It produces small to medium-sized blue-green heads and side shoots.
5. Waltham 29
Days to Maturity: 65-75 days
This open-pollinated heirloom variety is popular for its cold tolerance with large blue-green heads, and side shoots. After harvesting, you can enjoy the tasty side shoots.
6. Eastern Magic
Days to Maturity: 60-65 days
‘Eastern Magic’ grows flavorful, large blue-green heads. This heat-tolerant variety performs well in both spring and fall.
7. Green Magic
Days to Maturity: 55-60 days
‘Green Magic’ is a hybrid variety that produces medium-sized, smooth, and well-domed crowns. It has a distinct buttery flavor.
8. Sun King
Days to Maturity: 65-70 days
‘Sun King’ is an exclusive heat-tolerant variety. This delicious broccoli has 6-8 inches blue-green heads with lots of side shoots.
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Sprouting Broccoli
Sprouting broccoli has leafy and tall stems with single florets instead of a central crown. It has a slightly bitter taste compared to the typical varieties. The specialty of these Types of Broccoli is their white and purple color, though the purple ones turn green while cooking.
9. Purple Sprouting
Days to Maturity: 180-220 days
It forms multiple purple florets on each stem instead of a single large head. Home growers admire it for the ability to come up in early spring after ‘winter over.’
10. White Sprouting Broccoli
Days to Maturity: 150-180 days
This open-pollinated variety produces fewer florets and has a milder flavor. It has loose heads and slim stalks that look like cauliflower.
11. Burgundy
Days to Maturity: 60-70 days
This sprouting broccoli produces purple florets on purple-green slender stems. It has a sweet, tender flavor that you can enjoy raw in salads or cook in your favorite dishes.
12. Santee
Days to Maturity: 70-110 days
This hybrid broccoli produces purple buds on green stems. You can plant it in early spring for a fall harvest or grow as a winter crop in mild climates.
13. Red Fire
Days to Maturity: 110-130 days
With bright purple florets, this cold-hardy hybrid broccoli variety is perfect for overwintering. Tastes great when sauteed.
14. Burbank
Days to Maturity: 190-200 days
The creamy-white spears of this hybrid sprouting broccoli grow on slender light green stems and form small white florets.
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Romanesco Broccoli
Romanesco broccoli is an Italian heirloom. It produces spiral pointed chartreuse florets. You can plant these Types of Broccoli indoors and later transfer them to the ground in early spring, but avoid midsummer heat. This unique variety has a nutty flavor and a sea coral-like texture.
15. Orbit
Days to Maturity: 70-85 days
This hybrid broccoli forms a lime green head that can be harvested earlier compared to the other Romanesco varieties.
16. Puntoverde/ 26-70
Days to Maturity: 70-80 days
It prefers areas without harsh heat and has a mild sweet taste that goes best with salads. This variety can overwinter in mild gardening areas.
17. Veronica
Days to Maturity: 75-90 days
‘Veronica’ produces lime green heads with spiral points. Its creamy and nutty flavor tastes best in raw or cooked forms, both.
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Chinese Broccoli
Endemic to China, Chinese broccoli produces thick stems with large green leaves that have a bitter taste. It can be neutralized by soaking in cold water before cooking. Plant in spring or summer for a fall harvest or all year round in a moderate environment.
18. Big Boy
Days to Maturity: 30-45 Days
Big Boy is an early hybrid variety; it forms tender, thick stems and pairs great with soups and salads.
19. Crispy Blue
Days to Maturity: 40-50 days
‘Crispy Blue’ produces thick, glossy leaves and crispy stems, just like the name. You can roast or bake it with garlic and lemon for lunch or dinner.
20. Blue Wonder
Days to Maturity: 50-60 days
This hassle-free blue-green plant forms Crispy, tender stems that won’t bolt or flower early. It grows easily in most of the climates.
21. Green Jade
Days to Maturity: 50-60 days
This excellent hybrid variety is prized with vigorous growth, disease resistance, and high yields. It forms tender stems and smooth, dark green leaves.
22. Emerald Green
Days to Maturity: 60-70 days
‘Emerald Green’ produces smooth leaves. Plant this variety in late spring and enjoy flavorful broccoli in summer or grow in summer for a fall harvest.
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Broccoli Rabe
Broccoli rabe features slender stems, dark green leaves, and a cluster of small flowers. The bitter leaves of this variety are used in southern Italian cuisines. It has a cut and come again growth pattern, so you can enjoy the tasty greens all year round.
23. Spigariello Liscia
Days to Maturity: 45-70 days
It offers more leaves than florets, with a mix flavor of kale and broccoli. Harvest single leaves for continuous growth all season long.
24. Quarantina
Days to Maturity: 30-40 days
‘Quarantina’ produces lots of peppery leaves. It grows fast, up to 10-12 inches tall. This variety can be planted at any time of the year.
25. Sessantina Grossa
Days to Maturity: 30-40 days
This fast-growing variety is hardy to zones 4-10 and produces blue-green leaves and large florets with a strong flavor.
26. Novantina
Days to Maturity: 45-50 days
The small, loosely clustered florets with tender leaves grow well in cool temperatures but can be planted at any time of the year in mild climates.
27. Maceratese
Days to Maturity: 50-75 days
The tender stalks and large succulent leaves of ‘Maceratese’ prefer cool temperatures. It tastes best with stews and salads.
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Broccolini
Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It produces long, slender stems with broccoli-like buds on top. It looks like a rabe variety but tastes less bitter than that.
28. Atlantis
Days to Maturity: 50-75 days
The deep green stalks and florets offer good flavor and high yield. Regular harvest boosts floret growth.
29. Aspabroc
Days to Maturity: 50-60 days
Grow this hybrid broccoli in spring or early summer and have an early harvest. It offers mild peppery flavor that goes great with soups.
30. Aspabroc Baby
Days to Maturity: 40-55 days
This hybrid cultivar has a sweet and peppery taste that mellows with cooking. It can also be consumed stirred with salads.
