home grown flavour

i decided to grow some coriander about a month ago and while it was growing i decided to buy coriander grown in the pot to have with curry. it gives the curry a nice flavour. after my own had grown enough i used that with curry. i was amazed how much more flavoursome the home grown coriander was to the shop grown version. has anyone else found this with there home grown produce

 

I haven't done a direct taste comparison as you describe, but yes, I agree with the increased flavour of home-grown herbs.
The ones you buy in the shops are young plants, not much more than seedlings, that have grown a bit of height, but have no heart.
Our home-grown herbs are grown at a much more natural pace, and so are allowed to develop some flavour.
I always think it a similar taste comparison to intense-farmed chicken, versus late-maturing chicken.

Good food takes T I M E !!!

 

It's when you pick it too, early morning before the sun has driven the essential oils off it.

 

Every time I now think about how good home grown stuff is, I feel sorry for school kids who are going to get (free) commercial pap, rather than the home grown/baked/prepared stuff our daughter had for her school lunches.

 

Couldn't agree more @Scrungee ....i've nieces who think the few veg i grow taste 'queer'...because they are only used to the commercial carp they're given....sure enough i know they may taste different but I known what mine have been grown in

 

Supermarket produce has different requirements. Farmers want it to crop "all at once" so that they can harvest economically for supermarkets. Supermarkets want, e.g. Tomatoes, that do not bruise easily, so that usually means thicker skins. And they want a reasonable shelf life. Last of all on their list is flavour, particularly if it comes from a plant with a low yield ...

Its like night and day with grow-your-own. Choose varieties that you like, perhaps after refining your list of favourites over several years. Pick the produce fresh from the garden - we nip out to the veg patch for produce just before the meal, or in the case of Sweetcorn only once the pan of water is boiling on the stove ...

We only (well, 99% of the time) eat crops that are "in season". We don't want strawberries that have been flown in during Winter but taste all watery ...

 

I find even my coriander plants i buy from the garden centre bolt. I thought it was just from the seed that this would happen.

How do I stop them bolting next year?

 

i don,t know jane maybe there too warm or being fed too much. regards nijinski

 

[quote="Kristen, post: 728026, member: 1519"

We only (well, 99% of the time) eat crops that are "in season". We don't want strawberries that have been flown in during Winter but taste all watery ...[/quote]
interesting bit of info kristen. regards nijinski.

 

You can grow your own supermarket style crops.
Just use a greenhouse or poly tunnel, they will taste almost the same as anything you buy.

Grown out side and in season might be a bit better, but for me its more about satisfaction, of growing your own.
I definitely think with some crops you can "think" yourself into thinking they taste better.

Re. coriander, I notice its the "in" thing with TV chefs.
My Neighbour gave me some a few years ago, it was grown outside, cant say I could see what all the fuss is about.

 

never mind pete we all have our crosses to bear. regards nijinski

 

I think this opens up the bigger issue of why we 'garden' in the first place. If it was down to cost or money saving, I would probably be better off buying from the supermarket, especially considering the initial outlay (raised beds, greenhouse etc). Then there's the running costs, things like manure and compost. I certainly think that some crops taste better home grown, spuds and tomatoes spring to mind. For me, the big deal is that I've grown it myself and that I know what's in it. I also think I eat a lot healthier with veg on tap. It also gives me the opportunity of trying new things. I don't like Coriander

 

you saying that freddie, i wonder sometimes what rubbish goes into shop grown produce. i'll tell you something freddie, if that photo is anything to go by, your home grown produce hasn't done much for ypu in the looks dept :-). regards nijinski

 

Oy !! I'll have you know I turn quite a few heads!!!

 

nuf said:-)