The retailer has worked with its suppliers like Lincolnshire-based T H Clements and Drysdale in Berkshire, Scotland to find varieties that are hardier to the UK climate.
It follows a challenging growing season last year that saw heavy rainfall in late November through December decimate crops, leading to a poorer than normal yield and crop.
“We’ve been working hard this year to bring in new varieties that have helped us deliver a better tasting sprout with a crunchier texture and perfect size,” explained Tesco sprout buyer Simon Tenwick,
Sprouts of Christmas present
“The quality of the festive crop that has been coming through in the last few weeks is among the best we’ve had in recent years and we are certain sprout fans will be delighted.”
T H Clements said that poor harvesting conditions last year led to the average sprout size being 24mm in diameter but this year, thanks to the new varieties, they are 30mm.
John Moulding, T H Clements commercial director, added: “This year we’ve pretty much had a reversal in growing conditions to 2023 with the right amounts of warmth and sunshine during the summer months after they were planted, good amounts of rain during the autumn and now colder weather in December.
Sprouts of future yet to come
“We’ve worked hard over the last 12 months to improve not only this year’s but future crop yields, starting by the selection of new land to plant the sprouts – the alluvial silts, only found on the east coast of Lincolnshire. The silts are situated in different growing areas that all have their own microclimates and coastal frost protection. Sprouts enjoy the breeze of the coast that gives frost protection.”
In the run-up to Christmas T H Clements will run up to 16 harvesters to provide Britain with about 192 million sprouts.
Meanwhile, Brits will be giving the gift of chocolate this Christmas as Quality Street is named to top brand shared among 25-34 year olds this December, according to new research by OnePoll.
