What are the differences between broccoletti, broccolini and baby broccoli? Are they the same or different? If you are wondering about the differences between broccoletti and broccolini and baby broccoli, read this post which explains it in detail! In brief, they are different terms used for different types of the popular green vegetable broccoli or they indicate ceratin stage of of growth of broccoli florets, which we can discuss here in detail.
Broccolini
Broccolini is basically a hybrid between broccoli and Chinese broccoli (also known as Chinese Kale), and tenderstem broccoli is a trademark name for the hybrid.
Baby broccoli
The term baby broccoli is usually used to refer the younger version of regular broccoli itself though they are also often used as a name to refer tender, young broccolini stalks. And the term baby broccoli is also used refer to new types of developed broccoli microgreens!
so what is broccoletti?
"Broccoletti" is an Italian term that refers to younger types of broccoli in general.
Broccoletti has a milder and sweeter flavor compared to regular broccoli since they are younger florets.
Broccoletti Vs Broccolini Vs Baby Broccoli
As said earlier, broccoletti is generally used to refer to younger shoots of broccoli and so they can be either broccolini or baby broccoli or any younger versions of broccoli varieties. The term broccoletti is often used to refer to broccolini as they look tender, smaller in size and younger florets compared to regular broccoli.
In most recipes using broccolini or baby broccoli, you can interchangeably use them as they both are easy to cook, have lesser cooking time and you can use similar cooking techniques for both and they also taste much similar.
The similarities are that they look much younger & smaller than regular broccoli and can be used in many recipes in the same way.
The differences include the following:
Broccolini and baby broccoli are actually different though they are sometimes referred for the same things. Broccolini is a hybrid between regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli while baby broccoli is actually just the younger florets of regular broccoli (the same broccoli at a younger growth stage).
Also though broccolini and baby broccoli look smaller compared to regular broccoli, broccolini usually has longer stalks, smaller floret size and they look more darker green in color.
And the term broccoletti can be used to refer to both broccolini and also baby broccoli based on the local usage.
Hope you found this post on broccoletti vs broccolini vs baby broccoli helpful in finding the common differences between each term!
You can find an easy recipe using frozen broccolietti or baby broccoli here sauteed broccoletti (baby broccoli frozen)!
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