The plural of 'cole', which refers to plants in the cabbage family, including broccoli, cauliflower, and kale.
From Old English 'col' and Latin 'caulis' meaning 'cabbage' or 'stem'. The word is related to the modern term 'coleslaw', literally 'cabbage salad' from Dutch.
All coles—broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale—are actually the same species modified by humans over thousands of years, making them one of the best examples of how selective breeding can create completely different vegetables.
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