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I sowed Rock Samphire seeds earlier in the year but as I'd had the packet for a while I didn't expect them to germinate - happy to say they have  . Only thing is I've no idea how they taste? After a google some say not that good  I'm hoping someone here can give an idea on taste? And are they worth trying to grow or not?

I guess from the amount of replies, not that tasty 

Hedging my bets, I've just ordered some Marsh Samphire in case they are really naff.

Is marsh samphire like the stuff you buy in fishmongers to go with fish? Presumably it needs wertish conditions?

Quote from: spudcounter on May 21, 2013, 07:40:56
Is marsh samphire like the stuff you buy in fishmongers to go with fish? Presumably it needs wertish conditions?

That's the stuff. Apparently it needs watering with salty water. http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/Samphire_Plant/

Quote from: Jayb on May 19, 2013, 14:36:58
I guess from the amount of replies, not that tasty 

Hedging my bets, I've just ordered some Marsh Samphire in case they are really naff.

Well, I am only replying because you haven't had many replies, not that I actually know anything about samphire  ...............

I was told 'this is samphire - a local delicacy!' by locals on the Norfolk Coastal path and they urged me to pick it and try it.  Well I did - gave it a short boil - and it was not something I would particularly recommend.  Very boring and a bit salty.  Maybe it is an acquired taste and I did not acquire it on the one occasion, maybe it should have been prepared differently 

Only ever had samphire once in a restaurant served with fish. It was quite nice. Didn't know you could grow it inland, It grows wild in coastal Norfolk and Suffolk apparently.

Galina, was that the Rock or Marsh Samphire you sampled?

Thanks Yorkshire Lass, Marsh Samphire grows not far from here too on the local Marshes, so good to know it is quite nice. I'm not sure it is that easy to grow away from it's natural environment but thought it might be fun to try.

Quote from: Jayb on May 21, 2013, 09:46:44
Galina, was that the Rock or Marsh Samphire you sampled?

Marsh samphire 

I've seen it growing wild, and you can buy it in the local market, but I hadn't realised it could be cultivated.

Pennard's apparently do both seeds http://www.pennardplants.com/products.php?cat=341

It's like salty asparagus or salty french beans. Nice enough, if you like salty asparagus or salty french beans. Personally, with fish I would rather have samphire than french beans but I would always prefer English asparagus! And I wouldn't eat samphire other than with fish or by itself.