We recently had the chance to visit Barfoots’ family farm in the beautiful South Coast to learn more about that deliciously crunchy green veg: Tenderstem®, that lands in your Mindful Chef boxes. We wanted to really understand what makes this veg so special, from the soil it grows in, to the hands that pick it. Now, we can’t wait to share that story with you.
Growing Tenderstem® in the perfect conditions
When we arrived at the farm, we went straight to the sunlit fields to meet Emma, Head of Agronomy and Crop Production. She explained that their south coast location benefits from some of the UK’s highest light levels, ideal for growing Tenderstem®. “It’s all about balance,” Emma said. “Sunlight, warmth, water… but not too much heat, or the crop gets stressed.”
We could see the care in every stage of their process, from planting in March and protecting the young crop under fleece to keep the soil warm and safe from birds, to removing the covers so the leaf canopy can soak up the sunshine and nutrients. This is what helps it grow into the tasty veg we all enjoy.
Sustainability underpins it all, with ongoing investment in soil health and biodiversity to ensure the farm thrives for generations to come.
The careful art of harvesting
We then met Ryan, Crop Manager at Barfoots. Ryan explained how the team hand-picks the stems multiple times between late May and November, only taking what’s ready and leaving the rest to grow. We were amazed at the care that goes into each individual stem.
Next, Ryan showed us the perfect stem: vibrant green, with tightly packed buds. Did you know the spears should be about 4-6 inches tall to get that ideal crunch and sweet flavour?
To keep it fresh, the team ices the veg straight in the field before it’s whisked just 15 minutes down the road to the packing factory, speedy does it!
Freshness locked in at the factory
At the packing facility, Geoff, Head of Factory, explained how the Tenderstem® is chilled immediately to lock in that just-picked freshness. During peak season, the team can pick, pack, and dispatch Tenderstem® within 24 hours!
From there, it travels through a fine-tuned cool chain to the Mindful Chef warehouse, ensuring you receive it fresh, full of flavour, and crunchy.
Cooking with Tenderstem® at Mindful Chef
Back in the Mindful Chef kitchen, Head Chef Jesse shared how much the team loves using Tenderstem®. It’s incredibly versatile; you can roast it with harissa or pesto, stir-fry for a bit of char, or simply steam it with salt and pepper.
You’ll spot it all over the Mindful Chef menu because our chefs love the subtle sweetness it brings. Distinctly different from standard broccoli, this is broccoli but better. Not only that, it’s packed with extra nutrients too. Bright, green, fresh… knowing it’s been hand-picked with care from Barfoots makes it feel even more special
See Tenderstem® in action! Watch our full visit to Barfoots farm on YouTube here and discover how these delicious stems go from farm to fork.
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