LOST FLAVOURS

Endangered varieties you can support and rediscover

94% of the world’s heritage vegetable varieties have been lost in the last century alone, but Franchi supply over 200 varieties from the remaining 6%. So by using Franchi seeds you are already supporting biodiversity. Use them, or lose them. Forever.

How do we know they are endangered?

Franchi seeds are the only seed brand that are approved by Slow Food UK ‘The Ark of Taste’ to showcase varieties that have been lost or are at risk of being lost to motivate people into action, before it is too late. If a variety or food is on the ‘Ark of Taste’ it is endangered either because it is grown in only a tiny geographical area or by very few producers and in small quantities and perhaps only distributed in a local area.

V67a Spinach Monstreux de Viroflay - 16th century, produces numerous large delicate leaves @500. £2.99

V18 Carrot Parisier Market - Not as productive as modern varieties so not favoured by market farmers anymore. Ideal for clay soil and containers. @7000. £2.99

C6 Pumpkin Lunga of Naples - Mainly grown now only in gardens, loves clay, sweet flesh, 20kg fruits. £2.99

B17 Yellow French Bean Cornetti Meraviglia of Venice

Crops heavily. Climber. Melts like butter in the mouth. Great in summer beans salads. 30g. Sow Apr-Jul. £2.99

V42 Hamburg or Root Parsley - 16th century, largely forgotten. Produces large roots which are cooked like parsnips. Leaves used as parsley. £2.99

L42a Scarola Lettuce Gigante of Bergamo - now only grown in plots around the medieval walls of Bergamo. Sow summer for autumn/winter @4000 £2.99

V16 Cardoon Gobbo di Nizza - dating to Roman times, the meaty celery flavoured ribs are used. @100. £2.99

How can I help? Can I really make a difference?

The simple answer is YES you can. We have 14 varieties that are actually endangered and simply by growing them you are supporting Biodiversity. By using these specific varieties and the other two hundred plus ‘6%’ varieties, the producers will continue to produce them. If they become unviable and unprofitable, they will go. Simple as. So here is a list of the main ones currently on offer from Franchi seeds.

EP29 Borlotto Bean of Saluggia - from our Eden Project range, dates to at least 1535. Used in risotto and soups, minestrone and side dishes . £2.99

S11 Cucumber Melon Carosello - These rustic Puglian varieties are produced only in 4 areas. They have a slight melon sweetness, delicious in salads. @120 £2.99

R27 Variegated Chicory of Castelfranco - A good variety for forcing. Sow summer for winter. @5000 £2.99

C4 Priest’s Hat Pumpkin ‘Berrettina’

Ancient mid sized variety from Parma. @9 £2.99

V1 Asparagus of Argenteuils - after 1900 this variety diminished rapidly. Pink purple, aromatic. @100. £2.99

T4 San Marzano 2 - Neapolitan plum tomato used for Passata, Ragu and Pizza. It’s tasty but not watery so reduces well for a thick sauce!! OUT. I. 70-80g. @300. £2.99

R35 Root Chicory of Chiavari - grown for the roots which are boiled. Traditionally served at Christmas £2.99