I’m a vegetable expert – these are the five industry secrets for picking the perfect broccoli at the grocery store

A professional fruit and vegetable supplier has revealed the five properties to look for when buying broccoli at the supermarket.

Than Truongof Melbourne, is a leading supplier of fruit and vegetables to Australian grocers and restaurants.

He recently shared that many Australians were unaware of the warning signs of stale or substandard vegetables.

Thanh asked shoppers to look out for several aspects of the cruciferous vegetable, including bead size, stem circumference and loose florets.

The expert also recommended avoiding yellow and orange buds whenever possible.

1. How big are the broccoli beads?

The first step is to look at the beading of the vegetable – a bump indicates poor growth.

“You should avoid broccoli with a mixture of small and large beads,” Thanh advised.

It can also mean that the vegetable will be bitter.

2. Pay close attention to broccoli stems

“A thicker stem means there are more nutrients in the plant and the florets will taste better because it is a healthier plant,” the expert revealed.

Thin stems can also indicate too much moisture or humidity and not enough air circulation during the plant’s growth.

3. Avoid yellow or orange buttons

The grocer said warm-colored stems are a sign of improper storage and a shorter shelf life.

“Obviously, if broccoli turns soft or yellow, it’s still edible — and shouldn’t be wasted!” he added.

The best place to store broccoli is in the refrigerator in a loosely wrapped or perforated bag.

4. Loose florets indicate decay

Thanh said that if florets separate from the main stem, the vegetable is dehydrated.

“In terms of texture, it gets limp,” he said. “Broccoli that is firm is much crispier.”

5. Avoid flowering tops

Flowering buds mean the cruciferous vegetable was harvested too late.

“If you see broccoli buds sticking out and about to bloom, avoid them, as it’s a sign that the broccoli has really been harvested to maturity and it won’t be as tender as it could be,” said Thanh finally.

Many thanked Thanh for sharing his expertise.

“Thank you, I can’t believe I never knew about this!” said a woman.

‘I really appreciate these shopping tips, they are super useful!’ exclaimed another.