Waitrose offered its first English asparagus of the season last week at John Lewis food halls on Oxford Street and Bluewater.
Early season asparagus tips retailed at £2.99 for 100g and are set to extend to 100 branches by next week. Worcestershire grower Michael Porter had the early spears couriered to the stores.
Kate Prall, Waitrose vegetable buyer, said: “This early season asparagus is exciting as we are offering the first taste of spring to our customers. We have grown a new variety that does not become dormant during winter…so is available much earlier in the year.”
The product is grown under glass and in late December the fern is cut from the plant and the soil in fleece to increase the speed of growth.
