This item
Broccoli
- Dense tiny buds forming a rounded crown
- Thick central stalk with upper branches
- Each separated floret has a short stem and bud crown
Vegetables
Broccoli
A vegetable with dense green flower buds on a thick branching stalk, commonly sold as a whole crown.
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3 identity clues
- Dense tiny buds forming a rounded crown
- Thick central stalk with upper branches
- Each separated floret has a short stem and bud crown
Names in other languages
- 繁體中文
- 西蘭花
- English
- Broccoli
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Brokoli
- Tagalog
- Broccoli
Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): sai1 laan4 faa1 No Cantonese voice on this device
What is it?
Broccoli is a common Hong Kong market vegetable. This guide follows FEHD’s 西蘭花 / Broccoli naming.
How to identify it
Look for many tight green buds forming a compact crown above a thick stalk that divides into branches. Green colour alone is not enough.
Common confusion
Compare
Cauliflower
- dense pale cream curd
- green wrapper leaves
- short branching core when cut
Compare
Chinese Kale (Gai Lan)
- Stems usually thicker than choy sum
- Firm dark leaves with a slightly waxy surface
- Mature bunches may have small white buds
How to identify it
Broccoli has tight green buds on thick branching stalks; cauliflower usually has a pale compact curd; Chinese kale is identified mainly by thick stems and dark leafy blades rather than a branching bud head.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Commonly stir-fried, blanched, steamed, baked or added to soup and mixed dishes.
Choosing & preparing
Trim the dry base, divide the crown into similar-sized florets, rinse between the buds and around the stalk, then drain.
Storage
Keep dry and refrigerated and use soon. Do not use it if the buds are badly yellowed, slimy or strongly off-smelling.
Helper tip
Check the dense buds and thick branching stalk. Cauliflower usually has a pale compact curd.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
買一個西蘭花，返嚟切細朵。The employer wants one broccoli crown, divided into small florets at home.
Useful market phrase
唔該要一個花蕾實淨嘅西蘭花。Meaning: One head of broccoli with firm florets, please.
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Sources (6)
- Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department — Public Market Items Multilingual Booklet
- Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department — Public Market Items - Leafy Vegetables
- Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department — Leafy vegetables Cantonese pinyin
- Hong Kong FEHD / Centre for Food Safety — FEHB 247 Appendix I food classifications and examples
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety — Safe and Fresh: Practical Tips for Storing Vegetables
- Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety — Pesticide Residues in Food - Frequently Asked Questions