Sugar snaps, one of the nation’s favourite new wave vegetables have one draw back - the stringy bits which get stuck in your teeth. Now for the first time Marks & Spencer has produced a home grown variety, with no stringy bits.

The new variety of pea called Sugarlace, is sweeter than others and is being grown in Gloucestershire by brothers William and Martin Haines.

Sugar snap peas are usually grown in Peru but Marks & Spencer is increasing the amount of home grown produce it sells during the UK season as part of its Plan A commitment – the retailer’s business wide £200m “eco-plan”. M&S has initiated five research and development projects and is working with farmers to extend the UK growing season and to grow new varieties such as melons and apricots, organic apples, watercress, mange tout and sugar snap peas and potatoes.

Growers William and Martin Haines, have given the plants extremely close attention to ensure that they flourish in the milder British climate. The water and air temperature have been monitored very closely - to ensure that they thrive in a cooler environment.

Sugar snaps have increased in sales industry wide by almost 10% in the last year according to TNS and 15% at M&S in the last 12 months. Increasingly shoppers are using them in stir fries and for steaming, as well as in salads.
More…

Sam Franklin, Marks & Spencer vegetable specialist, said: "Sugar Snap  are really popular because they are so convenient – you just snip the top and toss raw in to a salad - or just throw into a pan. In the spring our grower spent a lot of time really looking after the plants, so despite the awful weather this summer we are going to have a good UK crop. I’m really excited to offer customers a home grown variety of a popular vegetable that was previously not grown in the UK"

Grower William Haines added: "The sugar snaps have a wonderful intensity of flavour which is unique. Those who enjoy eating sugar snaps but are put off by the stringy bits will love this variety."

The home grown sugar snaps go on sale this week. 200g are priced at £1.49.

Ends

For further information, please visit www.marksandspencer.com

Back to press releases index

Back to top