June 15, 2004

BY MARK JOHNSON

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Do not adjust your set. That cauliflower on your plate really is orange.

After its discovery in a Canadian marsh more than 30 years ago, the brightly hued crucifer is finally hitting the U.S. market.

The cauliflower hybrid now being sold in garden catalogs was developed by New York breeders led by Michael Dickson. He says orange cauliflower has caught the attention of restaurant chefs because of its superior appearance.

The hybrid also has about 25 times more vitamin A than its pale cousin.

''It's another variant farmers can grow and at this point it will probably sell a little better because it's new and looks attractive,'' he said. ''The color stays well after cooking too. I think it will be quite popular. We did test marketing several years ago and it was quite well received.''

Dickson started developing the vegetable in 1981 after he was sent some seeds from the Canadian mutant, which had to be crossbred with standard cauliflower.

AP