Ornamental Kale
Ornamental kale — sold as flowering kale or decorative cabbage — is primarily grown for its spectacular rosette shape and vivid pink, white, cream, and purple center leaves. Despite its reputation as purely decorative, ornamental kale is fully edible with a milder, more tender flavor than its hardier culinary cousins.
Rosette-forming with tightly packed, ruffled leaves. The outer leaves are green while the inner leaves form a stunning display of pink, white, cream, red, or purple — the colors intensify with cold weather. Shaped more like a cabbage rose than a traditional kale plant.
Texture: More tender than curly kale — particularly the inner colored leaves, which are soft and almost silky. Less fibrous than standard culinary kale.
Flavor: Milder and sweeter than culinary kale varieties — the inner colored leaves are particularly mild and tender. The outer green leaves have a more typical kale flavor.
Edible Garnish
Use the whole rosette as a dramatic plate presentation or platter centerpiece.
Salads
The inner colored leaves are tender and mild — beautiful in composed salads alongside other greens.
Sautéing
Sauté the tender inner leaves with olive oil and garlic — the color partially holds.
Soup Garnish
Float a few of the vividly colored inner leaves in clear soups for dramatic presentation.
• Fully edible despite being marketed as decorative — don't waste it after using as a centerpiece
• The inner colored leaves are the most tender and delicious part
• Colors intensify with cold — fall and winter ornamental kale has the most vivid coloring
Keeps 5–7 days refrigerated. As a centerpiece or display, it can be kept at cool room temperature for 2–3 days before refrigerating.