New, tasty veggie broccoleaf discovered
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Food manufacturers are constantly coming up with new kinds of packaged products, but it's rare to see something new. That is until broccoleaf.
Broccoleaf is not the broccoli florets or stalks you're used to seeing in the supermarket, it's the leaves of the broccoli plant that were once only used by farmers.
"We started experimenting with the broccoleaf earlier this summer when we were doing a juice promotion," said Tom Nunes of Foxy Organic.
"It's a natural cleanser for our soil, it's a great rotational crop for all the different lettuces," Nunes added.
Yet, the tender broccoli plant leaf yielded a sweet juice so they decided to see what else would work.
"We did the wrap, we did the soup, we put it in stuffing, we shredded it for coleslaw, we shredded it for salad," said Akasha Richmond, chef and owner of Akasha's.
Richmond was asked to get creative with broccoleaf. She said it was no challenge as the leaf is quite versatile with a satisfying taste and texture in hot, cold, even creamy food.
But much like kale, broccoli isn't considered an easy veggie to eat.
There are many who can't tolerate the cruciferous family of cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, but the experts all say that broccoleaf is one mild veggie.
"If you don't get really good kale, it's bitter and this seems consistent to me. I didn't find this bitter at all," Richmond said.
Broccoleaf tastes mild, but does it have any nutritional benefits? Dietitian Ashley Koff sent broccoleaf to two different labs and says she was impressed with the results.
"In a daily dose of your broccoleaf, which is a couple of leaves, you actually get a daily dose of vitamin C. You also get as much calcium as in a glass of milk," Koff said.
Koff also said there is plenty of vitamins A and K along with plant or phyto-chemicals that are powerful antioxidants that can help provide glowing skin, prevent cancer and help digestion and disease prevention.
Broccoleaf can now be found in many major markets.
