Kitchen Garden Forum

Recently we bought some curly kale from Morrisons. It was suprisingly very tasty and sweet. Although we have grown curly kale before it was bitter and we did not enjoy it. I would like to know if anyone has grown a variety that is really tasty and if so please suggest it to me as we want to grow some more this year.

Hi Catherine, I have heard red russian is good and cavalo de Nero, but generally sweetness improves after frost, and taste gets stronger as plants grow . They are hardy greens, may survive a hard winter better than some other types of greens

Hi Catherine

I agree with NB's recommendations. This year I am growing Nero di Toscana (Cavolo Nero) which is always good, if a little strong flavoured, and Red Ursa, which I haven't tried before, but it's looking good in the polytunnel.

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The main use we make of most kales is to use the late spring flowering shoots before the flowers open. They really are sweet.

I also like the varieties mentioned and another good one is Redbor it is a beautiful colour too, and not as tough as the T. & M variety that looks similar.

Hi Alan,
The Red Ursa Kale looks very similar to Russian Red and would suggest that they may be one and the same plant. However Russian Red is very good and have no doubts that you will find Red Ursa equally pleasing.
I would recommend Pentland Brig Kale to you especially for the quality of the spring spears which are really delicious. It also eats very well during the winter months and it is as hardy as hell.
JB.