Why is cauliflower called cauliflower when it's white: an inaccurate translation is to blame

06.07.2024 20:40

Cauliflower is a cultivated plant that has been bred and improved by humans for food or agricultural purposes.

This vegetable has dense and crispy inflorescences that are predominantly white, although other colored varieties have since appeared (there are four in total).

However, the cabbage was given its name back when it was only one color.

Why is cauliflower called cauliflower?

In fact, the name of this vegetable in Russian arose due to an inaccurate translation.

In Latin, cauliflower is called "cauliflora", which comes from the words "caulis" (stem) and "floris" (flower). So, literally "cauliflora" translates as "flower cabbage".

Cauliflower
Photo: © Belnovosti

The vegetable got its name because its head consists of many small, closely spaced inflorescences.

In other languages the plant may have a different name.

For example, in English it is known as "cauliflower", which means "cabbage flower", and in French it is "chou fleuri", which translates as "flowering cabbage head".

Earlier we talked about whether the kefir diet can be harmful.

Elena Shimanovskaya Author: Elena Shimanovskaya Editor of Internet resources