Sprouts “No Longer The Most Hated Veg”, As Trendy Superfoods Knock It Off Top Spot

Sprouts are no longer the most hated veg for British adults, with trendy veg taking knocking it off the top spot.

Celeriac, avocado, turnip and kale were singled out as the least loved vegetables.

Parsnips, squash, beetroot and leeks rounded out the top 10 in a survey of 2,000 people by family-owned farming and food production company Mash Direct.

The humble spud was crowned the nation’s favourite veg, beating carrots, peas, tomatoes and broccoli.

The poll reveals that although the avocado was named as the most ‘pinned’ ingredient on Pinterest in 2015, one in five adults has never actually eaten one.

Children voted Brussels sprouts their least favourite veg and – like their parents – spuds as their favourite.

And despite the huge variety now available, a third of adults said they stick to the same vegetables that their parents did.

Mash Direct’s Director of Marketing and Food Trends Jack Hamilton said:  “It just goes to show that the old favourites are still the first choice when it comes to family meal times.

“As family budgets might not stretch to seemingly popular vegetables, parents are serving their families the classics that they know and were served in their childhood.”

Favourite vegetables (adults)

1. Potato
2. Carrot
3. Peas
4. Tomato
5. Broccoli
6. Cucumber/salad leaves
7. Cabbage
8. Spring onions
9. Corn
10. Green/French beans

Least favourite vegetables (adults)

1. Celery
2. Celeriac
3. Avocado
4. Brussels sprouts
5. Turnip
6. Kale
7. Parsnips
8. Squash
9. Beetroot
10. Leeks

Favourite vegetables (children)

1. Potatoes
2. Carrots
3. Peas
4. Cucumber
5. Corn
6. Tomatoes
7. Broccoli
8. Lettuce/salad leaves
9. Sweet potato
10. Green/French beans

Least favourite vegetables (children)

1. Brussels sprouts
2. Celery
3. Celeriac
4. Beetroot
5. Avocado
6. Kale
7. Turnip
8. Spring onions
9. Leeks
10. Cabbage

Hamilton added:  “It’s really interesting to see how parents’ likes and dislikes affect their children’s choices.

“Just over half of parents admitted they would never buy a particular vegetable without knowing how to cook it beforehand and this is where Mash Direct comes in.

“Our vegetable products are bursting with flavour and the use of gentle steam cooking and mashing processes retain the taste, texture and nutritional benefits of every vegetable we use.”