Tenderstem®, the specialist broccoli variety which is a relative newcomer to the UK market, is rapidly growing in popularity showing a massive 80% year-on-year growth in volume sales.
Andy Macdonald, MD of Coregeo which markets Tenderstem® in the UK comments: “Often a product gains popularity with chefs, which then filters through to consumers. However, it seems that this time consumers are voting with their shopping trolleys as Tenderstem® gains ground in the speciality vegetables sector, but we feel that chefs and caterers are yet to fully discover its versatility.”
Tenderstem® broccoli has a mild, distinctive flavour and a texture more akin to asparagus than traditional broccoli and it's deliciously succulent. It requires very little preparation and is therefore a great time-saver in the busy kitchen during mise-en-place with minimal wastage. It is quick to cook and can even be served raw.
TV veg guru, Gregg Wallace says,
"Tenderstem® broccoli is a beautiful little vegetable and a relative newcomer. It resembles sprouting broccoli more than it does calabrese in that it is all about the stem. It does have one head at the end of each stem, unlike the sprouting, which as its name suggests, can sprout many. I've sampled this baby a number of times and have yet to find a stem that isn't perfectly soft and delicious."
As the name suggests, Tenderstem® broccoli is tender from floret to stem so you can serve the whole vegetable, unlike ordinary broccoli, which tends to have a thicker, and sometimes woody, stem.
It lends itself to many styles of cuisine, in particular oriental dishes -ideal for stir frying as it requires no blanching, it is also perfectly complemented by flavourful ingredients such as ginger, garlic, chilli and limes. Tenderstem® can also be blanched, microwaved, boiled, steamed, deep fried or grilled.
Tenderstem® broccoli has its origins in Japan where it was developed using classical plant breeding techniques. The idea was to breed a more flavoursome Brassica by crossing Broccoli and Chinese Kale.
An extensive PR campaign was launched in 2006 to raise awareness of the variety via consumer magazines including food titles such as BBC Good Food, Olive and other women’s consumer magazines.
Tenderstem® is available from C&C Pavilion at New Covent Garden, call 0207 498 3622 to order.