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M&S is launching the first home-grown variety of white asparagus. The attractive new type of asparagus is going on sale on the high street for the first time exclusively at M&S.
Thanks to its popularity with celebrity chefs and health experts, its distinctive flavour and its nutritional benefits, M&S can report that sales of asparagus are up 50% on last year. This demonstrated by the fact that customers now eat asparagus as part of their everyday diet rather than as a one-off treat.
According to retail analysts TNS, sales of green asparagus have increased industry- wide by almost a third in the last year. M&S has been instrumental in giving asparagus a boost by working with suppliers to extend the British growing season, giving customers more opportunities to enjoy this delicious vegetable. The season now lasts from April to July which is almost double the length it was five years ago. It gain further popularity due to its health benefits being naturally rich in beta-carotene and is a natural source vitamin C.
The new white variety has been grown in the sandy soil of the Wye Valley, Herefordshire. White asparagus is often steamed and in Germany, where it is a very popular dish, it is eaten as a main course with white sauce. M&S is selling the white tips of the asparagus, which do not need to be peeled unlike the rest of the vegetable. M&S also sells a home-grown purple variety in season, which has a sweet flavour – and will be in-store later this month.
Marks & Spencer asparagus specialist Andrew Sharp said: "Asparagus has become a popular everyday vegetable. This distinctive new variety of white asparagus has a delicate flavour which will be a hit with our customers who already enjoy our green and purple varieties. Increasingly shoppers want to buy home grown produce and we are very excited to be offering the first ever British white asparagus."
Farmer John Chinn, winner of the 2005 Grower of the Year award for innovation, who supplies M&S exclusively with white asparagus, added: "Once asparagus was eaten as a special treat but now that the English season is longer. This asparagus has a gentle flavour and looks fantastic served with green asparagus for those who want something different for the dinner table."
White asparagus tips go on sale on this week priced at £2.49 for 100g
ENDS
For further information, please contact:Marks & Spencer Food Press Office 0208 718 8777
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M&S is launching the first home-grown variety of white asparagus. The attractive new type of asparagus is going on sale on the high street for the first time exclusively at M&S.
Thanks to its popularity with celebrity chefs and health experts, its distinctive flavour and its nutritional benefits, M&S can report that sales of asparagus are up 50% on last year. This demonstrated by the fact that customers now eat asparagus as part of their everyday diet rather than as a one-off treat.
According to retail analysts TNS, sales of green asparagus have increased industry- wide by almost a third in the last year. M&S has been instrumental in giving asparagus a boost by working with suppliers to extend the British growing season, giving customers more opportunities to enjoy this delicious vegetable. The season now lasts from April to July which is almost double the length it was five years ago. It gain further popularity due to its health benefits being naturally rich in beta-carotene and is a natural source vitamin C.
The new white variety has been grown in the sandy soil of the Wye Valley, Herefordshire. White asparagus is often steamed and in Germany, where it is a very popular dish, it is eaten as a main course with white sauce. M&S is selling the white tips of the asparagus, which do not need to be peeled unlike the rest of the vegetable. M&S also sells a home-grown purple variety in season, which has a sweet flavour – and will be in-store later this month.
Marks & Spencer asparagus specialist Andrew Sharp said: "Asparagus has become a popular everyday vegetable. This distinctive new variety of white asparagus has a delicate flavour which will be a hit with our customers who already enjoy our green and purple varieties. Increasingly shoppers want to buy home grown produce and we are very excited to be offering the first ever British white asparagus."
Farmer John Chinn, winner of the 2005 Grower of the Year award for innovation, who supplies M&S exclusively with white asparagus, added: "Once asparagus was eaten as a special treat but now that the English season is longer. This asparagus has a gentle flavour and looks fantastic served with green asparagus for those who want something different for the dinner table."
White asparagus tips go on sale on this week priced at £2.49 for 100g
ENDS
For further information, please contact:Marks & Spencer Food Press Office 0208 718 8777
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