Broccoli
Broccoli crowns and China-cut crowns and florets are bundled in packs of 14 and 18. They are packed immediately in the fields using our state-of-the-art harvesting machines, then transported to our packing sheds to be vacuum-cooled (or iced), depending upon our customer’s preference.
QUALITY
High quality broccoli should have dark or bright green closed florets. Broccoli heads should be compact, with cleanly cut stalks of the required length. There should be no yellow florets or discoloration on the stems.
TEMPERATURE
Low temperature is extremely important to achieve an adequate shelf-life for broccoli. A temperature of 0° is required to optimize a storage life between 21-28 days. Broccoli heads stored at 5° can have a storage life up to 14 days, while stored at 10° will have a storage life up to 14 days.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Broccoli is also a good source of dietary fiber, and is rich in minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, phosphorus copper, choline, iron, niacin and selenium. Broccoli is also high in vitamins A (carotenoids), B1, B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, and E. Broccoli also supplies a healthy dose of calcium for healthy bones, protein and omega-3 fatty acids.