English-grown asparagus is being rolled out across the UK two months ahead of time to put love in the air before Valentine’s Day.
Even though the English asparagus season doesn’t officially start until mid-April, some growers push out all the stops to get the first batch out by mid-March.
But this year the first batch of asparagus tips will go into Tesco’s Evesham store today and will then cascade into other stores in the area from the end of next week.
Tesco asparagus buyer Sam Wright said: “Lovers of English asparagus have never had it so good - as the quality of the home grown variety is acknowledged by experts to be by far the best in the world.
“With more people planning to have a romantic meal at home for Valentine’s Day this year because of the credit crunch we think it will be a top seller - especially as it’s said to be one of the great aphrodisiac foods.
“Asparagus lovers all around the UK will want to get their hands on the first batch as the British variety is said to be the best in the world.
“However, we’re going to be selling it locally first to give people in the area the first taste of their own home grown produce.”
Asparagus is enjoying growing popularity at the moment, on account of it being considered a superfood, with UK wide sales growing by 18 per cent in the last 12 weeks, say independent retail analysts AC Nielsen.
The vegetable’s aphrodisiac effect is credited as being a result of the plant’s natural chemicals such as phytohormones or phytosteroids, which may evoke a steroid-like action in humans, and influence sex hormone receptors.
Asparagus is a good source of vitamin A, zinc, B vitamins and potassium which may help to enhance circulation, and in turn help boost sex drive. Vitamin E is also needed for the production of sex hormones, which contribute to a healthy sex life and increased sex drive.
The grower, S&A Produce, of Great Witley, Worcestershire, said the early crop was down to vastly improved and more efficient growing methods.
S&A spokeswoman Rebecca Edmonds said: “We’ve pulled out all the stops to break this growing record in time for Valentine’s Day.
“The Tesco store, in nearby Evesham, will get the first supplies and after that we will be supplying more of the county and then the rest of the UK.”
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