First New Vegetable in a decade launches to consumers

Flower Sprout, a brand new vegetable has finally hit the shelves after 10 years of development. Tozer's started making tentative crosses of Brussles sprout and kale varieties in 1995, development continued with the use of different coloured sprout and kale parent lines. Just one bi-coloured variety has been released so far, but other varieties in a range of colour forms and maturities will be available shortly.

Dr. Jamie Claxton from Tozers says "Most breeding is done to improve existing varieties, Tozer's independence means we have more flexibility in our breeding programmes, we can be more imaginative. We've become known for our ability to produce new, exciting, novel vegetables and Flower Sprout is no exception. Breeding a new variety can take over 10 years so it's a real sense of achievement when your product hits the market, I'm really excited about seeing Flower Sprout on the shelves"

The Flower Sprout, developed using traditional hybridization techniques has a Brussels Sprout-like plant habit, a tall stem with rosettes forming all the way up to a frilly-leaved top. Extremely winter hardy and with a similar cropping calendar to Sprouts the harvest window stretches from October to early March from mid-March sowings. The taste is milder and sweeter than a Brussels Sprout with a good texture, its an ideal winter vegetable and can be steamed, stir-fried or microwaved.

Several select growers are producing the new vegetable Flower Sprout , including Gloucestershire based grower W.R. Haines Ltd. Martin Haines commented "We are very excited to be producing this brand new vegetable, it tastes fantastic and we've had great reports from everyone who has tried it". Flower Sprout is supplied exclusively to Marks & Spencer via Manor Fresh Ltd.

Tozer Seeds Direct are now selling the Petit Posey™ variety of the Flower Sprouts, visit our store to Buy Petit Posy™ Flower Sprouts now.

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