Old-fashioned tasty Brussels sprouts?

[ChingfordHarry]

Hi

I've just had my Christmas Brussels sprouts (don't ask why I'm so late) and they were truly disappointing. No flavour at all. Back in the day, they were one of my favourite vegetables, but it seems that in the effort to remove the bitterness from them, all the flavour has been bred out of them.

i'm looking for an old-fashioned variety that has some"punch".

Any suggestions?

[Nicos]

I can’t help you re variety but had they been frosted?…that brings out the flavour more,

[Snoop Puss]

Mr Dowding says the same, Harry. What variety did you grow?

[Bren In Pots]

I found these on Real seeds, I've not grow them myself though.

'Roodnerf' Brussels Sprout

https://www.realseeds.co.uk/brusselsprouts.html

[ChingfordHarry]

I didn't actually grow them - they came from Morrisons. Growing them would be a first for me, but if I can get something that's more worth eating I'm happy to give them space.

I think that frosting increases the sugar levels - whether that improves the flavour would be a matter for debate (I'm after something with more sprout flavour, that perhaps young folk wouldn't appreciate!)

yes, Real Seeds can be good for things like this!

[nick the grief]

Ahhh, you need to grow old varieties then Harry .. if you can find them - trouble is most of those were designed to grow on heavy ground and as they were open pollenated, they weren't really looked after and went down hill.

I grow all F1's now sadly.

Brigette F1 -Deliciously sweet with a nutty flavour with tight, medium, sized buttons. The sprouts will stand in good condition on the plants until the end of December.

Churchill F1 - A first early variety, maturing late August to October. Churchill produces good yields of tight, evenly spaced buttons with a superb flavou

Darkmar F1 -Traditional Bedfordshire type, popular with many gardeners. Large deep green sweet and tasty sprouts are produced over a long period.

and Groniger F1 - A second early variety noted for its great tasting sprouts, particularly after the first frost. It produces medium sized green sprouts and gives a steady supply of great tasting sprouts through the autumn and into the winter. Groninger has a wide sowing window, particularly useful if the weather is being a little awkward! It can be sown under glass in February or March (to plant outdoors in April to May) or can be sown directly outdoors in April or May. Harvest October to December – perfect timing for that all important Christmas Dinner!

thats if you believe there blurb .

[ChingfordHarry]

Hi Nick

Heavy ground is not a problem here - it can be hard finding the soil among the London clay!

[nick the grief]

Hi Nick

Heavy ground is not a problem here - it can be hard finding the soil among the London clay!

in that case try FillBasket, Brodie, Darkmar and Long Island they should all do OK and are (arpart from the 1st and last which are heirloom seeds) old types. I do like Brigette for eary sprouts although they will stand. If you want to dig some of your clay out and bake it in block about 9"x 4"x3" I need about 20 to make some raised beds in the greenhouse

ntg

[ChingfordHarry]

Many thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll avoid Brodie because it has been described as "child friendly", which suggests to me that it might not have the strength of flavour I'm after...