Does it need checking? Cauliflower is mostly infested, both in Israel and in the USA. (Rav Moshe Vaya)
Rav Vaya’s rating
| USA | ★★ | mostly infested (muchzak b’negiut) |
| Israel | ★★ | mostly infested (muchzak b’negiut) |
Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 937 (Cauliflower)
Which bugs
- OU Kosher’s chart names them: thrips or small orange insects, inside or between the small thin white branches.
Sources
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, Degree of Infestation chart, p. 937 (rating).
- Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha: summary sheet “Washing Fruits and Vegetables” (published by Machon Aliya).
- OU Kosher: thrips or small orange insects, inside or between the small thin white branches. Separate and remove the florets from the stem, examine the under part of each floret, and wash thoroughly. Frozen cauliflower: same as fresh. (Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Chart)
- cRc: may be pureed (see their Pureeing Policy). Otherwise, remove the green leaves, cut the head into 8 pieces, place in a bowl of water with vegetable wash, agitate for 30 seconds, remove the cauliflower, and check the water with the thrip-cloth method. Frozen: if certified, no further checking; if not certified, check it like fresh cauliflower. (Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide)
Related
- How to check broccoli for bugs
- How to check white cabbage for bugs
- How to check Brussels sprouts for bugs
References: OU Kosher — Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Chart (PDF) · cRc — Fruits & Vegetables Checking Guide · Rav Moshe Vaya — “Washing Fruits and Vegetables” (Machon Aliya, Hebrew)
Source: Rav Moshe Vaya, Bedikat HaMazon K’Halacha, p. 937
