Ramsons from the UK: Thriving in the Luxury Food Industry

Ramson is a relatively unknown vegetable, with a subtle garlic flavor. Also known as wild garlic or allium ursinum, it is a wild variety of onion that is native to the wet woodlands of Europe and Asia. The plant consists of a bulb, leaves, and a small white-green flower. The leaves give off the garlic taste and are used as a flavoring ingredient in soups, salads, and other dishes. The flowers are also edible and are often used as a decorative element in dishes.

Ramsons are not widely produced nor exported yet. Ramsons traditionally grow in the wild, but Abby Gardens Ltd, a UK flower producer and exporter, cultivates the plant in an open field. The ramsons are quite self-sufficient: their growing pattern is similar to that of a weed and they do not require a lot of human intervention. The season runs from January to May, with the peak season being March and April. Around 1K tons per year are produced by Abby Gardens. Most of the production is destined for the domestic, European, and US markets.

Ramsons are seen as a luxury product. This is mainly due to their limited availability. The subtle taste and edible flowers of Ramsons make them popular ingredients in Michelin-star and high-end restaurants. Abby Gardens’ ramsons are mainly destined for these high-end restaurants but are also exported to meat and cheese processors. Due to their subtle aroma, the leaves of ramsons are also often used to flavor cheeses and sausages.

Although ramsons are a niche product, the company has seen the demand grow over the last few years. This is mainly due to famous chefs using the product, leading to a surge in sales. According to Abby Gardens, the export is expected to increase annually. Brexit poses some threats to the export of ramsons to the EU, but only to the ramsons transported by trucks. Since a large part of the ramsons is transported by train to Paris, the company does not expect Brexit to influence its exports heavily.