General Information
Broccolini has spear-shaped, thin and tender vibrant green stems with lengths that rarely exceed six inches long. The head is a loose small cluster of florets that resemble broccoli rabe. Compared to common broccoli, the flavor of Broccolini is understated, mild, peppery and subtlely sweet. The entire plant is edible.
History
Japanese company, Sakata Seeds developed Aspirations in 1993, its namesake invoking the company’s hopes while also suggesting a relation to asparagus. It is a successful hand-pollinated cross between gai lan (Chinese Kale) and broccoli. Sakata Seeds is the largest distributor of broccoli seed varieties in the world. The name, Broccolini is actually a registered trademark of Mann Packing Company of Salinas, California. Mann, one of the world’s largest broccoli growers, has been marketing it in the United States under the name Broccolini since 1998.
