It’s Monday morning and the weather is mild in Plouescat, in northern Finistère. Jean-Paul Jacq and his two employees have been hard at work since 7 a.m. on one of the plots. With knives in hand, they fill crates with cauliflowers in stunning colours: deep purple and bright orange. A few metres away, in the trailer, Georges carefully arranges the harvested heads to prevent them from being damaged. The precision of his movements and the steady rhythm of his work indicate that this vegetable is not quite like any other.
At Pouliquen, we are committed to sourcing the fresh vegetables we offer from local producers. Today, we take you to meet one of our partner producers, a pioneer in French coloured cauliflower.
Coloured cauliflower: a story of diversification
Jean-Paul Jacq has been farming on his family’s land since 1992 and now cultivates 35 hectares of a diverse range of vegetables, including parsnips, black radishes, root parsley, multicoloured carrots and, of course, Romanesco broccoli and coloured cauliflower.
He has been developing this production since 2007, after reading an article extolling the growth of this vegetable on North American markets. ‘Rather than expanding, we chose to diversify,’ he explains, holding a purple cauliflower in his hand.
It was a successful gamble. Within a few months, the first trials proved conclusive and quickly attracted the interest of traders. The following year, in 2008, a group of producers was formed within the SICA. Today, eight farmers, from Plouescat to Saint-Martin-des-Champs (29), grow coloured cauliflower in Finistère.
A colourful vegetable… with high standards
Coloured cauliflower comes in three varieties: purple, orange and green. These natural colours remain intact during cooking and are increasingly appealing to catering professionals for their ability to brighten up dishes, whether raw or cooked. Its taste is similar to that of white cauliflower, but its appearance makes it an ingredient of choice for creative and colourful dishes.
In terms of production, the requirements are specific. Unlike white cauliflower, which is usually grown to produce large heads (around 10,000 plants per hectare), coloured cauliflower is planted more densely – up to 17,000 plants per hectare – to produce smaller heads. This ensures consistency in size, which is particularly appreciated by supermarkets and restaurants.
Another special feature is that the vegetables are packaged directly in the field. This is a delicate step, as the product is more fragile and bruises easily. ‘You need someone who is very careful in the trailer to place each cauliflower in its box without damaging it,’ insists Jean-Paul. This is also what justifies its premium positioning on the shelves.
Extended availability for a smooth supply
Coloured cauliflower is available from June to October.
The plot we are visiting today, a few kilometres from the farm, was planted in early April and covered with plastic sheeting in the first few weeks to encourage early growth but, above all, to protect the young plants from hares and pigeons, which are also particularly fond of this product.
This long summer production period is a real asset for fresh produce professionals. At Pouliquen, it allows us to offer a regular supply of French coloured cauliflower, with carefully packaged products ready to be shipped to your logistics platforms, both in France and abroad.
French coloured cauliflower, an original product and local expertise
Beyond technical expertise, Jean-Paul and his team demonstrate genuine sensitivity. They pay attention to detail, freshness and the right approach. ‘We don’t produce volume at any cost. We focus on quality and visual appearance. That’s what our customers expect.’
We share this commitment. That’s why we have chosen to promote this French coloured cauliflower sector, supported by committed producers who are members of Prince de Bretagne, in a region renowned for its market gardening excellence.
Would you like to find out more about our coloured cauliflower availability?
Contact our sales team. We can help you select the right produce and provide the logistics and packaging tailored to your markets.
📍Origin: France (Brittany – Finistère)
🎨 Varieties: purple, orange, green
📅 Availability: June to October
