I taught in a Christian grade school many, many years ago and we had a small veggie plot in the back of the schoolhouse. We had a good mix but I still remember the first time we harvested the broccoli and simply steamed it for the kids to try. I never saw six and seven year olds enjoy broccoli so much! It was SO tender and sweet - which I’m sure helped - and the fact that they nurtured the plants themselves added to their delight. There’s no doubt the fresher it is the better.
I won’t even buy broccoli. What we don’t eat right away gets steamed 1 minute , cooled and vacuum sealed. In the middle of the winter is still tastes great.