Broccoli has a fresh, grassy, and slightly earthy taste. It is part of the cabbage family, so it has that familiar "green" flavor but with a much milder profile.

The florets (the bushy tops) are where most of the flavor is. They have a subtle bitterness and a "peppery" hint that softens when they are cooked.

The stems are actually the sweetest part of the plant—they taste very similar to a mild radish or a water chestnut, with a crisp, juicy texture.When it’s roasted or sautéed, that grassy bitterness disappears and is replaced by a nutty, savory sweetness.