What's the white coating on red cabbages?

[raweater]

Why are the red cabbages at my grocery store all coated in a white powdery substance? Is it natural or some stuff they add to it?

They're like this:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/red%20cabbage/KitchenQueen/cabbage1.jpg

Thanks

[Anastazia]

I've always wondered this too....anyone?
One question is, are they organic?
Come to think of it, I can't recall ever seeing it on the ones at the health food store...
...so I would suspect is is spray residue...I'd at least peel the outer layer...
~Anastazia~

[stellaJewels]

The white coating is the natural yeast, same as on grapes, which is why they both ferment so nicely into sauerkraut and wine or are used to help make sourdough bread starter

ps - not the same as candida yeast

[oceanluv]

I've heard it called " bloom" and is on blueberries and other foods, too.