Harvest After Frost for Best Flavor

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Posted by @bitbit on January 5, 2014

Many cold weather crops actually taste sweeter if you harvest them after a frost instead of right before one.

This is true of most brassicas, including broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts, as well as root veggies such as carrots, parsnips, and turnips. After one frost, or even after several, the cold temperatures can cause the starch in the plant to be converted into sugar, making them sweeter. Just be careful not to try this with plants that are tender to a mild frost, including the warm-weather staples of tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce.

Frost on broccoli and kale