Topic: bitter brussel sprouts

[diggerrick]

hi, can anyone recommend a good variety of spouts as the ones i have this year taste a bit bitter, cant remember the variety i planted, i am assuming its the variety of spouts i have or have i done something wrong its my first time growing them. cheers rick

[pumkinlover]

Wait till they have had a good frost, they will sweeten up then :)

[kt.]

We have been harvesting Maximus since 31 Aug and all tasted fine and no frost has been on them yet.  Still plenty left then it will be Wellington sprouts for Jan - April as a second crop

[Vinlander]

hi, can anyone recommend a good variety of spouts as the ones i have this year taste a bit bitter, cant remember the variety i planted, i am assuming its the variety of spouts i have or have i done something wrong its my first time growing them. cheers rick

Sprouts are supposed to have mustardy overtones - slightly hot more than bitter - it is what gives them that hint of nutty taste.

To me this is the essential difference that makes them sprouts - when it is there I choose sprouts over cabbage, when it isn't there they are pointless - they would just be a less convenient form of cabbage!

I've developed an aversion the seed catalogues because their threats of breeding a 'sweet' sprout for 'children' fill me with dismay.

If (as seems likely), the health benefits of sprouts come (sprout?) from the mustard oils in them - then this is a doubly idiotic thing for breeders to waste their time on...

Cheers.