When the flower head is harvested, it is cooled as soon as possible by using an ice treatment to reduce it's temperature to 35 degrees. In 1970 consumption of broccoli was a half-pound per person. Today, it's 4.5 pounds a year. Ninety percent of the broccoli grown in the United States comes from California. Broccoli is also grown in Arizona, Washington, Maine, Wisconsin, Ohio, Colorado, Oregon, Texas and Florida.
Phytochemicals are a diverse group of natural substances produced by plants.
Many of the hundreds of phytochemicals found in plants are being studied for their medicinal and pharmacological properties, including their ability to protect humans against certain types of cancers and heart disease. Research suggests that phytochemicals may prevent carcinogens from forming, stop carcinogens from getting to target cells, or boost enzymes that detoxify carcinogens. Researchers have isolated sulforaphane from broccoli, a phytochemical that stimulates the activity of certain tumor-fighting enzymes in the body. Sulforaphane, has been synthesized in the laboratory but it is most effective when ingested naturally in broccoli. Cooking broccoli, whether microwaving or steaming, does not affect the anti-carcinogenic properties of the chemical.