Watercress: season and benefits
Seasonal calendar - Watercress
Nutritional values
Champion of nutrient density, watercress is exceptionally rich in vitamins A, C, K and calcium.
Storage
Watercress is extremely perishable: consume within 24 to 48 hours of purchase. Store in the fridge with stems in a glass of water covered with cling film. Only wash at serving time. It does not freeze and cannot withstand prolonged cooking.
Origin
Watercress grows naturally along European streams and has done so since antiquity. Greeks recommended it for its invigorating properties. Its cultivation in watercress beds was developed in France in the 19th century. The town of Méréville (Essonne) is the historic capital of French watercress, with beds dating from 1860.
Cooking Watercress
Goes well with
Recipe ideas
- Watercress soup
- Watercress and smoked salmon salad
- Egg mimosa with watercress
- Watercress butter
- Watercress pesto
Did you know?
In 2014, a William Paterson University study ranked watercress as the most nutrient-dense vegetable in the world, ahead of Chinese cabbage and Swiss chard.