The British Bean and Pea Season kicks off this month. Andrew Green’s family run farm near Mathon, Worcestershire, has been growing Runner Beans and Broad Beans for the past 50 years.
Andrew grew up on the farm and now lives in the farmhouse along with his wife, Caroline and their two children. In addition to growing Broad Beans & Runner Beans the farm also produces Baby Courgettes, Helda Beans (grown for Waitrose) and Tenderstem Broccoli.
Runner Beans
Growing Runner Beans gets underway in late March/early April with the laying down of plastic mulch to get rid of the weeds; this reduces the need for any pesticides to practically zero.
At the height of the season Andrew employs around 80 people to help with the delicate job of picking the beans. Many of these employees are exchange students. Caroline comments: “It is a family run business, which becomes a very large one at the height of the season, we consider each member of our team as part of our extended family. There is a wonderful atmosphere and mixture of languages – my kids love it! We are always quite sad when everyone returns to their native homelands.”
The Green Family are very passionate about Runner Beans because they are a traditional English vegetable and although the white flowering variety are grown in other parts of the world for the English market; the red flowering variety is produced in the UK and has a wonderful flavour.
Broad Beans
This year Mr Green will plant 35 acres of Broad Beans which should yield in the region of 200 tonnes. The first 15 acres of Broad Beans were planted last October so that they will be ready for the beginning of the season.
Unlike many other crops, Broad Beans have to be harvested by hand and a great deal of care has to be taken not to break the pods. The pods are nature’s own protection and help to keep the beans fresh. Another way to help retain freshness that the Green’s ensure during their harvesting is that at regular intervals the picked beans are transported from the field and chilled in the onsite fridge.
Broad Beans have a distinct taste but they are best when young, tender and fresh. So to ensure that the Green crop is picked at just the right time, regular checks are carried out daily by Andrew and his team.
On buying British Broad Beans from the supermarket, Andrew advises that you should only buy “bright green pods with the stalks still attached. Pay particular attention to these stalks and don’t buy them if they look dehydrated.”
Andrew and his wife Caroline love eating Broad Beans either raw or cooked, they can’t get enough of them! The ritual first meal of the season always consists of the beans being served with boiled gammon, new potatoes and parsley sauce.
To find out more about British Beans and Peas visit: www.tastesofsummer.co.uk. You can also find some great recipe ideas on our recipe pages.
