Raw broccoli can be tough on your tummy. The raw sulfur compounds are what give it that “I’m eating a tree” aftertaste. Here’s a pro tip: soak the florets in a bowl of ice water with a splash of lemon juice for 10 minutes.
This does two things: it crisps up the cells, making the texture snappier, and it neutralizes some of that bitter edge. Don’t overdo it—you’re not pickling them. Just a quick bath, then pat them bone-dry with a towel. Wet broccoli is the enemy of good dressing adhesion. Dry = happy florets.
