Can you still eat cauliflower with black spots on it?
Generally speaking, "bai hua cai" refers to cauliflower. It is not recommended to eat cauliflower with black spots, and the specific reasons are as follows:
During growth, if there is excessive rainfall or insufficient fertilizer, cauliflower may develop black spot disease, resulting in black spots on the surface. Black spot disease is a fungal infection that affects the quality and taste of the vegetable and may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Additionally, during storage, high temperature and humidity may lead to mold contamination, such as *Alternaria brassicicola*, causing spoilage and small black spots. These molds can produce toxins harmful to humans, and consuming them may damage the nervous, respiratory, and urinary systems, posing risks to health. Therefore, cauliflower with black spots should not be consumed.
When purchasing cauliflower, it is advisable to choose specimens that are intact in appearance, bright in color, and free from black spots or lesions. Store them in a cool, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight to ensure suitable storage conditions.