A fresh herb that that could reduce the need to add salt to food is now available in limited volumes from Agrexco.

The Sea Orache, also named the Atriplex Halimus and the Sea Bush, was developed at the Ramat Negev Research Centre. The centre was set up by the Volcani Institute to find out which crops can be grown in salt water, and how this can be done.

Mike Caddy, sales manager at Agrexco, said: “The leaves are crisp, salty nutritious and tasty. It is rich in protein, vitamins A, C and D and minerals, especially chromium.

“The herb grows in saline water in the north of Negev, thereby making good use of natural resources.

“Grown in a protected environment, we have been working with it for two years now and although it is still in development, we see it is a potential growth line, albeit to a niche market.

“The herb is catching on in Israel where consumption of fresh herbs is high, but there is no reason why the catering industry in the UK should not try something new to tempt and interest customers.”

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