A sweeter variety of cabbage produced by TH Clements is to be trialled at Tesco.
The Lincolnshire-grown new variety, known as Sweet Summer Cabbage, has been naturally developed in an attempt to re-generate interest in the vegetable.
It is said to have a light, sweeter and fresher taste than other cabbage varieties, and is aimed at people who make their own salads and coleslaws.
Tesco vegetable buyer Luke Shutler, said: “In recent years many greens have not only shed their ‘difficult’ image, but have been re-appraised as superfoods because of their great nutritional value.
“Broccoli was the first about ten years ago, but more recently, thanks to foodie culture and a greater awareness of what we eat, we have seen other greens such as spinach and even sprouts become more popular.
“Unfortunately that has not happened with cabbage, yet, and we think that demand is being held back because of a poor image that goes back to memories of school dinners and cabbage that was boiled to within an inch of its life.
“We have worked with TH Clements, one of the UK’s biggest brassica producers, to come up with this sweet green variety that we believe will not only be a hit with children but with adults too.
“Regular varieties of cabbage have a slightly peppery, almost bitter flavour but the sweetness of the Summer Sweet can be tasted as soon as you take your first bite.'
The retailer is trialling the product this summer, and if demand is strong, then it will stock more next year.
Recent UK market stats for all retailers (Kantar Worldpanel, March 2015) reveals that demand for cabbage has fallen by 6 per cent in the last two years.
Cabbage sales in Britain were at their highest in the 1950s when the vegetable was a seen as a relatively inexpensive way of eating nutritious food.
But as Britain became more prosperous, the ‘meat and two veg diet’ began falling by the wayside and, with the introduction and influences of other cuisines and fast food culture, over the years there has been has been a downturn in the demand for cabbage.
Summer Sweet Cabbage costs £1 per 500g pack, and will be available in 250 stores.
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