Waitrose will run a crimson variety of British asparagus for the UK season.
Grown by Caroline Hulland, a third generation farmer from Shopshire exclusively for Waitrose, the crimson colour runs the length of the spear while retaining a vibrant green colour inside.
According to Hulland the variety tastes like fresh peas straight from the pod, and is a good match for raw salads.
Lucy Broughton, buyer at Waitrose & Partners said: “In-season asparagus is always a huge hit with our shoppers so we’re confident that our crimson variety will be just as popular. I love to eat it with mint and a good squeeze of lemon”.
The eye-catching crimson asparagus is available in select Waitrose branches until early July costing £3.49 for 200g.
The UK asparagus season kicked off on April 23 this year with a vintage motorcade from the Vale of Evesham delivering the first spears to the Chelsea Pensioners in London.
According to Kantar data asparagus is enjoying a successful spell with 15 per cent volume growth in the past year, and a value increase of 9.1 per cent, making it an £85million market.
The British Asparagus Festival will be running a series of events throughout the season to promote the vegetable, including the asparagus family colour run, and tours of asparagus production.
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