Consumers were given the opportunity to sample some watercress beer as part of a week of festivities to kick start the UK watercress season.
A Watercress Festival, held in Alresford, Hampshire, attracted more than 5,000 people to the town to sample and learn all about one of the UK’s most historic salad leaves.
A spokeswoman for organiser, the Watercress Alliance, said: “The day was a huge success. It was the first time we’ve had anything like this so we were delighted with how it went.”
Hampshire’s own Charlie Dimmock opened the free event, and then went on to visit a local watercress farm with schoolchildren.
As well as famous gardeners, the day also saw some celebrity culinary action, with chef Antony Worrall Thompson on hand to cook up a storm with some watercress inspired recipes.
Worrall Thompson has also developed three new recipes for watercress consumers. They are available at www.watercress.co.uk.
Throughout the week, guided tours were being offered at Warmwell Farm in Dorchester, Dorset, and Manor Farm in Alresford.
Producers and farmers got involved by creating weird and wonderful mixes, such as watercress beer and ice cream, and local pubs and restaurants featured watercress influenced menus.
Organisers are keen to get across the health benefits of the salad leaf and throughout the week have been conducting a PR campaign to promote the message to consumers.
A scientific study into watercress was conducted in 2004 and the results are being analysed. A report is expected soon.
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