Taste test: the best variety of sprouts
Can two sprouts challengers beat the traditional green Christmas ‘favourite’?
I would be exaggerating if I said that a sprouts taste test was the most popular we’ve ever hosted in the Lovefood kitchen.
Loathed by so many, loved by just a few, and yet somehow still part of the traditional Christmas dinner prepared by millions of us across the country – there are few vegetables as divisive as the humble sprout.
So we tried out a couple of new varieties, as well as the Brussels, to see if we could find an alternative that might convince people that sprouts really aren’t so bad.
The traditional Brussels sprout
The normal one. The green one. For some, the ‘scrape it into the bin while your hosts are busy with the pudding’ one.
I actually quite like these though. I know I’m not alone, but saying that out loud does usually result in an odd look, followed by the question, “really?” Still, they’re very good for you and if you really hate them, you can douse them in rich gravy and quaff with a glug of wine to hide the flavour.
Our tasters said: “Good old winter staple.” They liked the “traditional flavour” but a couple were unimpressed, saying that compared to the other two, they were bland. So the one we’re used to gets the lowest score.
7/10
Redarling sprouts
These sprouts are really quite attractive, particularly once you’ve pulled off the dulled, less fresh outer layers. A vibrant purple colour is studded throughout the plant, making them really stand out against their all-green counterparts. They also turned the pan water bright blue!
In fact, they look a little bit like a prop from a low-budget sci-fi film: some kind of unidentified alien organ. Apparently some of the big supermarkets are stocking these for Christmas but I haven’t seen them yet. Have you?
Our tasters said: “Very earthy” and “delicious”, a response echoed in several reports of the taste. The tangy aftertaste impressed, as did the comparative sweetness, though one person said they thought they might be sweeter than they actually were.
7.5/10
Flower sprouts
Bizarre. They look like a miniature curly kale and in fact they are a cross between Brussels sprouts and kale. Like the Redarlings, they’re much nicer to look at than the classic green sprouts, and would definitely get guests intrigued.
The novel appearance might also convince your children to eat up.
Our tasters said: “They taste good and look great!” Most of the tasters loved these, saying that the interesting looks were matched by a “sweet” and “fresh” flavour and “tender” bite.
8.5/10
The winner
Flower sprouts have it! If you want to try something new this Christmas, why not try these? They really are very tender, and have much less of that ‘stewy’ flavour that normal sprouts tend to pick up.
The only problem is that they’re rather more expensive than your average sprout, and seem to be less available than Redarling or green sprouts. But if demand grows this year, hopefully they’ll be sold in more places and come down in price for 2015.
If the price puts you off, I reckon it’s worth trying the Redarlings instead. They’re nicer than normal sprouts, according to our testers (and I agree), and really brighten up the table.
Up for trying some new sprouts this year? Already tried them? Or do you opt for something else entirely? Let us know your opinions in the Comments below.
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