Eurocode categories: Main Group 8: Vegetables and vegetable products

Core Classification version 99/1

Categories discussion and documentation

Main Group 8: Vegetables and vegetable products

Category definitions and policies

Group 8 classification

8.15

Brassicas: The subgroup Brassicas is used for Brassica species grown for their heads (white cabbage), leaves (spring greens, kale), flowering heads (broccoli) or sprouts. Other parts of these species and other Brassica species are classified accordingly, for example as root vegetables.

8.15.10

Broccoli

Broccoli has been documented to be Brassica oleracea var. botrytis as well as Brassica oleracea var. italica and the distinction from Cauliflower is not always clear. Broccoli can be categorised into:

	Heading broccoli		White heads. syn. Winter cauliflower, Winter broccoli. Winter and spring cropping
	Sprouting broccoli		Purple and white sprouting varieties. Late winter and spring cropping
	Green sprouting broccoli		syn. Calabrese. Late summer cropping
	Perennial broccoli		Spring cropping

Note: the above is based on U.K. cropping conditions.

It may cause less confusion if Heading broccoli is included under cauliflower.

21 April 1999

8.15.20

Cabbage

The Cabbage category should be further subdivided at the food item level. This could be done on several criteria such as shape and/or density of the head. However cabbages are possibly best classified according to the harvest season and thus the proposed food items include:

	Summer cabbage		Early spring sown varieties for harvesting mid to late summer
	Autumn/winter cabbage		Spring sown for late harvesting. Includes the variety January King which is not a Savoy
	Savoy cabbage		Spring sown for late harvesting. Green cabbage with wrinkly leaves
	Spring cabbage		Late summer sown for overwintering, harvested in late spring
	Spring greens		Young spring cabbages harvested without hearts in early spring
	White cabbage		Spring sown storing cabbage. syn. Dutch cabbage

The more distinctly different types of cabbage, e.g. Red cabbage, are assigned to separate categories at the higher level.

It may cause less confusion if Heading broccoli is included under cauliflower.

21 April 1999

8.34.10/15

Potato

Potato is subdivided at this level into the categories New potato and Main-crop potato, leaving individual varieties to be distinguished at the food item level if required. The category New potato refers to potatoes whose skin can be scraped off; often but not always these will be so-called 'first early' varieties. The category Main-crop potato refers to potatoes with a skin needing peeling for its removal; it generally will include so-called 'second early' varieties.

This may be the best available option for assigning Potato categories even if the definitions and naming are not ideal. The alternative for the second category of Old potato probably has a more limited meaning approximating to "old-season potato". Any suggestions for better alternatives (e.g. classification by colour, texture or type of use such as roasting) are welcome.

21 April 1999

8.60.10

Vegetable mixes

At present a single category has been defined for Vegetable mixes, to be subdivided at the food item level into categories such as Mixed vegetables, Peas and carrots and Peas, sweetcorn and sweet peppers.

Is it preferred to introduce categories for the various mixes such as Peas and carrots at the higher level?

21 April 1999

Documentation updated:		7 September 1999
Discussion updated:		21 April 1999

Ian Unwin