Tenderstem farm in Jersey

This week we visited the beautiful isle of Jersey, to see for ourselves how Tenderstem broccoli is grown and harvested.

Although Tenderstem is grown overseas, in countries like Kenya, Morocco and Jordan, the crop is also grown across the UK, which will this year account for 25% of total Tenderstem sales. Farms in Herefordshire, Worcester, Kent, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Eire, and Jersey, are busy producing the crop.

We visited farmer Richard Le Cornu, at his farm Devon Villa in St. Martins, where he grows Tenderstem.
Working in synergy with the Tenderstem, Richard also grows Jersey Royal potatoes – the Tenderstem can be planted after the Jersey Royals have been harvested, from the end of May until September and benefit from the nutrients remaining in the soil from the production of Jersey Royals. The Jersey Royal crop then benefits from the lime added to the soil when the Tenderstem is planted.

We went out to see the crop being picked and got to try the Tenderstem straight from the field, as fresh as you can get it and it was delicious. Perfect lightly steamed with a little butter, thrown into a stir fry or eaten with dips – the veg is so tender it can be eaten raw, from top to toe, unlike traditional broccoli.

After our visit to the fields we went onto Green Island restaurant in the coastal parish of St. Clement, where we enjoyed beautiful food and sunshine, right next to the sea.

For Tenderstem recipes to try out at home visit www.tenderstem.co.uk and if you are visiting Jersey it is well worth taking a ride down to Green Island restaurant, visit http://greenisland.je/