Is your Broccoli starting to go bad? How can you tell? In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to check whether or not your Broccoli is still good to eat. Keep in mind that different people have different ideas about what “bad” Broccoli looks like, so use these tips as a general guide. If you are ever in doubt, it is always best to throw the Broccoli out rather than take a chance!
To check if the Broccoli has spoiled, look for discolored florets, the texture of the broccoli head, and the stem. Bad Broccoli will have yellowish-colored florets, soft, and mushy stems.
At some point in time, we all forget the vegetables we keep in our refrigerators. So if you found a broccoli head in the fridge, you must check if it is still good to use.
How to tell if Broccoli is bad?
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable belonging to the cabbage family. Like other vegetables, Broccoli can also go wrong with mold growth. Therefore, if your Broccoli is sitting in the fridge for a long time, it is best to check it for any discoloration and unpleasant smell.
Here are a few ways to to tell if Broccoli is bad
1. Check the color
The first thing to notice is the color of the Broccoli. The fresh Broccoli has fresh, intact green-colored florets. Then, the color starts to change to yellow color. The tips of bad Broccoli will be dull and slightly yellowish.
2. Look at the stem
Check the leaves on the stem. Fresh Broccoli has green leaves attached to the stem. The leaves start withering as the Broccoli becomes stale.
Not only this, the stem becomes limp and soft as the Broccoli gets spoiled.
3. Check the texture.
Fresh Broccoli has a crunchy texture. Bad Broccoli will be soft and mushy instead of firm and crunchy.
Also, look for the trunk of the Broccoli. If it is soft to touch, it means the Broccoli has already spoiled. So throw away this type of Broccoli.
4. Test the smell.
Bad Broccoli will have an unpleasant odor; never use it. On the other hand, fresh Broccoli has a fresh and pleasant smell. Sniff the Broccoli for any unpleasant smell and discard the Broccoli if the smell has gone bad.
5. Check for mold.
If you see any signs of mold on your Broccoli, discard it immediately. Look for any black spots on the stem or white spots on florets.
How to store the Broccoli for increasing its shelf life?
One of the best ways to store Broccoli is in a damp paper towel and an open plastic bag in the fridge. Make sure the air circulates in the Broccoli, and be sure to eat it within a few days. Broccoli requires air circulation to remain fresh.
You can also freeze Broccoli for later use. Just blanch it in boiling water for a minute or two, then place it in an airtight container or Ziplock bag and freeze. It will keep for several months in the freezer.
Why shouldn’t we eat the Broccoli that has gone bad?
Broccoli that has gone bad can contain harmful bacteria that make you sick. Therefore, it’s essential to discard any broccoli that has started to spoil to protect your health. Broccoli is a healthy vegetable, but it’s not worth risking your safety.
As with any other fresh produce, Broccoli is perishable. When produce gets spoiled, it loses its health benefits.
Moreover, molds growing on fresh food products make it poisonous and non-consumable and cause food poisoning.
As a thumb rule, you should never eat Broccoli that looks spoiled.
How to shop for fresh Broccoli?
Always buy fresh vegetables to keep them for a few days. While buying Broccoli, look for a head that is tightly compact and has dark green or bluish-green colored florets.
Don’t buy any Broccoli with yellowish florets and withering leaves from the stem.
The stem should be firm, green, and intact. If the stem feels soft and a little mushy, don’t buy the Broccoli. It will get spoiled very fast.
