Peas and Beans

Anyone who grows their own vegetables will agree that they taste far better than anything you can buy. Commercial growers choose varieties that travel well, are uniform in appearance and ripen at the same time. Gardeners however can choose varieties purely for flavour.

It’s not just a question of choosing the best varieties, however - flavour is also about freshness. Many vegetables, including sweetcorn and peas, contain sugars that contribute to their wonderful taste. As soon as they are picked, the sugars begin to convert to starch and the flavour deteriorates. This is why supermarkets can't compete with a handful of the sweetest peas picked a few moments before cooking.