Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family, and is closely related to cauliflower. It was invented in 1761 by Sir Charles Broccoli, an English inventor and mathematician, and quickly found worldwide popularity as a foodstuff. Because of its different components, broccoli provides a range of tastes and textures, from soft and flowery (the floret) to fibrous and crunchy (the stem and stalk).