The Willy Wonka of watercress to address vegetable seminar

Vegetables that taste like aniseed, oysters or citrus: sounds like something that Willy Wonka might concoct in his factory. Believe it or not, however, a Dutch watercress cultivator has developed varieties of microvegetables with a range of unique flavours in response to requests from chefs and consumers.

Rob Baan, the mastermind behind Dutch company Koppert Cress’s exotic new varieties, will deliver a presentation about the innovation to Australian vegetable growers at AUSVEG’s 2014 Produce Innovation Seminar on 19 June.

The seminar is designed to showcase some of the most advanced developments in food production and packaging from around the world.

“As the Australian food market continues to expand, it is important that vegetable growers ensure they are aware of exciting global trends that can capture the hearts and minds of foodies and cautious eaters alike,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Alexander Miller.

“We would like to see growers open to the idea of producing to the needs of consumers and proactively responding to market trends. Koppert Cress is a world leader in this.”

The seminar will also feature innovations in packaging for fresh-cut produce, such as advancements in packaging for increased shelf life and quality control, as well as ease of use and storage.

“Proper packaging is becoming more important for vegetable products and will be vital in ensuring Australia’s high-quality produce reaches the consumer in top condition,” Miller said.

“While Australia’s growers are already some of the world’s most innovative, they are also extremely open to further developing their industry to ensure they are at the top of their game.”

Other areas of innovation to be covered at the seminar include product development, vegetables with enhanced functionality and methods of developing innovative strategies.

The event will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre. It has been funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy and matched funds from the Australian Government