Tenderstem – the gorgeous green making waves in Irish kitchens with sales doubling since 2021
Move over asparagus, there’s an up-and-coming, gorgeous green on the block, that’s winning hearts and taste buds all across Ireland. Tenderstem, hailed as broccoli’s tastier cousin, is quickly becoming the go-to-veggie for Irish foodies, with sales doubling since 2021. Whether it’s jazzing up a Sunday roast or adding a touch of gourmet flair to your BBQ, Tenderstem has proven it’s more than just a side dish.
What’s behind the love affair? For one, Irish people are discovering just how versatile this vegetable is. With its succulently sweet, slightly nutty taste and ‘pretty on the plate’ quality, it’s no wonder Tenderstem is growing in popularity. The Tenderstem team now has big plans to triple sales by 2034, with the help of wonderful local Irish growers, providing the best quality product to retailers nationwide, this mighty veg is set to become a staple in Irish kitchens.
This year, the Tenderstem team are also delighted to be bringing their bespoke food truck to the National Ploughing Championships, 17 – 19 September, Rathineska, Co. Laois, offering visitors the chance to sample delicious Tenderstem straight from the BBQ. Visitors will also be gifted fresh Tenderstem so that they can try out some of the tasty recipes at home, as well as having the chance to Spin the Wheel to win some fantastic prizes.
Richard Moore, Managing Director of Global Fresh Exotics, who manage the distribution of Tenderstem in Ireland, commented: “We’re delighted to represent Tenderstem in Ireland. We have big ambitions for this mighty vegetable. With licensed growers both here in Ireland and internationally, we can deliver a consistent high-quality, product year-round. If you haven’t tried Tenderstem as yet, you’re missing out! If you’re already a fan, check out the website for fantastic recipe inspiration and new ways to prepare this hero of a veg!”
Chris Keane, proud owner of Millview Farm, which was founded in North County Dublin over 20 years ago said: “On our 250-acre farm we grow a mix of brassica crops and of course Tenderstem, which is a specialist crop. We walk the crop every day and harvest twice a day to ensure its freshness. The flavour of Tenderstem broccoli differs from standard broccoli, it has a much sweeter and nuttier taste – it’s actually become my kids’ favourite vegetable. We grow Tenderstem exclusively for GFE and we’re so delighted to see it on shelf. We’re looking forward to continuing to grow this great partnership in the years to come.”
David Thorpe, from the Thorpe Family Farm, New Ross, Co. Wexford commented: “Our 7th generation, 93-hectare farm on the Wexford coast is blessed with particularly fertile soil, producing premium crops. My family loves experimenting with organic produce and we’ve been growing organic Tenderstem for GFE for 2 years now. The organic season starts slightly later than the conventional, we harvest from the middle of August until the end of November. We love the versatility of Tenderstem, it can be cooked in some many different ways. My favourite way to eat Tenderstem is with my mates on a sunny day on the BBQ or else dropping into my mum on a Sunday for a roast dinner.”
The Tenderstem: Broccoli but Better campaign launched in 2023 as a result of the growing popularity of the veg and has been educating shoppers on how to best enjoy this deliciously tasty veg, which can be eaten from top to tip, meaning zero waste. A dedicated website www.tenderstem.ie has been created, packed with hundreds of delicious recipes for all mealtimes and inspired by cuisines of the world, plus helpful ‘how-to’ videos, nutritional information and lots more.
Discover Tenderstem: broccoli, but better
Insta: @tenderstemIreland
