Some people are die hard Granny Smith fans while others are more content sinking their teeth into a juicy nectarine. But, overall, which UK towns are partial to what?
This week, I noticed that supermarket chain Morrisons has conducted a survey on the UK’s fruit and veg hotspots, which I realised may be able to explain a few things. For example, do you ever reach the produce aisle only to find there is just a meagre handful of your favourite fruit? Or perhaps you can’t see past the mountains of veg that you so despise, and wonder who on earth buys it?
It could be that your fellow residents share your tastes and that’s why it’s a race down the aisle every week. Maybe the reason your shop is a breeze is because you’re flying solo with your penchant for a particular food. Why not have a look at the results below and see if your town is up there munching their way through mountains of a particular fruit or veg. More importantly, do you side with the masses or are you an anomaly?
Top town per product:
|
Product |
Top Town |
|
Pears |
Nottingham |
|
Apples |
Malvern |
|
Oranges |
Keighley |
|
Cucumbers |
London |
|
Avocado |
Leeds |
|
Carrots |
Scarborough |
|
Cauliflower |
Newquay |
|
Tomatoes |
Glasgow |
|
Cherry tomatoes |
Nottingham |
|
Unwashed spinach |
London |
|
Pineapple |
Glasgow |
|
Bananas |
Darlington |
|
Plums |
Glasgow |
|
Passion Fruit |
Leeds |
|
Blueberries |
Wetherby |
Apples
The hero of crumbles and pies, the apple is one of our most trusted and oldest fruity friends. It turns out the residents of Malvern in Worcestershire are the number one apple consumers, crunching their way through a whopping 23,000 a week!
Equally good in sweet and savoury dishes, apples taste delicious when baked with a crumble topping but why not try Rachel Green’s sausage and apple pie as well?
Avocados and passion fruits
150 miles up the M1 and you won’t be able to move for avocados and passion fruits to feed the hungry people of Leeds. Perhaps they’re putting them all in dishes such as Leon co-founder Henry Dimbleby’s ceviche or Tony Borthwick’s Baked Alaska. Mmmm.
Tomatoes
Glaswegians are partial to a tomato or two but it seems their friends further South in Nottingham prefer the daintier cherry variety.
It may be simple but I think a classic tomato soup is hard to beat. This one from Brian Turner is up there with the best. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try Mitch Tonks’ grey mullet with mussels where the tomatoes add a lovely sweetness to the dish.
Cucumber and spinach
Londoners demolish more cucumber and spinach than anyone else but even if you don’t reside in the capital, try Paul Merrett’s barley salad with goat’s cheese toast or take Richard Corrigan’s advice and tuck some spinach under a lovely piece of sea bass.
The urban gardener
It seems our city dwellers are on the mark when it comes to getting their five a day. Of the 15 products featured, nine of them were wolfed down in some of the UK’s biggest cities including London, Nottingham, Leeds and Glasgow.
When you live in a big city, it’s all too easy to nip down to the supermarket for your weekly groceries, but why not try growing some yourself? You don’t need acres of land to be a green fingered guru and can turn any number of buckets, bottles or beer crates into growing pots.
Anyone who has grown their own fruit and veg can vouch for its superior taste and you’ll end up saving yourself a few pennies in the process. Seed Pantry has got loads of great tips to get you started whether you have a balcony, a roof terrace or simply a corner behind the breadbin.
Not forgetting the country folk...
If you are lucky enough to have lots of space or perhaps an allotment, then you can expand and grow all sorts of exciting fruit and veg. There’s nothing more satisfying than bringing back a hoard of home grown produce to the kitchen and planning what you are going to cook. The BBC gardening website is a mine of information whether you are a seasoned grower or your fingers are just beginning to turn the palest shade of green.
Tell us your own tips
Got any tips of your own for growing fruit and veg? What’s the most popular produce in your town? Please share your thoughts using the comments box below!
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