Scholes set to introduce UK's first frozen Flageolet Bean

Yorkshire vegetable producers and packers Scholes have just agreed to supply Booths supermarkets with their unique new product Frozen Flageolet Beans this June.

Flageolet beans, often described as the "caviar of beans" are only available in the UK currently in tins or dried. The new frozen Flageolet Bean from Scholes will combine the convenience of tinned beans with all the benefits and taste of the fresh produce, and is generating a lot of interest in the retail market.

Innovative Scholes have been successful in growing the largest crop of Flageolet Beans in northern Europe and this year they plan to produce 250 tonnes of the beans from carefully selected land on their farm in the Yorkshire Wolds. "We are delighted to be supplying Booths and to be associated with such a distinguished retailer is very exciting. Booths have recognised that we are offering a unique product and have been very proactive to make sure they are the first retailer to have UK produced frozen flageolet beans on their shelves" says Mark Southwell, Scholes Sales and Marketing Executive.

This years Flageolet Beans are being drilled at this very moment. This delicate crop is sown in rows that are 500mm apart at a rate of 250,000 plants in every hectare.

The harvesting of the Flageolet is a very specialist operation, which only takes place in the late summer when the condition of the Flageolet is exactly right.

At this point the beans are harvested quickly to keep them in their prime tender condition using special bean harvesters, designed to handle the precious Flageolet very carefully. The Flageolet Beans are shelled from the pod and are then transported to be frozen within two hours of being picked. These will then be packaged in Scholes' own newly designed bags.

Flageolet Beans are very popular with chefs and unlike many beans, flageolet hold their shape well during cooking, have a delicate flavour and are creamy and dense in texture. New Flageolet Bean recipes have been specially devised by TV chef Rachel Green to showcase the new product on Scholes' behalf. One of these delicious recipes can be found on the new Scholes bean package, and the Scholes website www.scholes-ltd.co.uk features many more.

Scholes are also talking to other major retailers about stocking the Flageolet Beans and are confident that their new product will become a household favourite.