Dutch family business Cresco is specialized in the production of cress. Currently Martin Prins, third-generation proprietor, is at the helm. It was his grandfather who, back in 1958, brought the first cress from Denmark. Why this unusual crop? "It's always been a strange family," laughs Rita Prins, wife of Martin. In 1958 cress was unknown. It was Cresco that introduced it, and has been marketing and distributing it ever since.
Partly thanks to collaborator Westlands, a British company, new products were recently added to the range: Micro Leafs. These are grown in Britain. "It is a clean, tasteful product, easy to prepare and great as a garnish," says Prins. "And it is lightweight, so easy to distribute.”
The cress is grown in the Westland nursery. This happens year-round. The process, from sowing to harvest, takes about a week. First, the root forms, then the seed coat grows up towards the crown of the cress. If the cress has reached the correct length, displaying a well-developed crown, the product is harvested in the greenhouse, after which it is packed and stored at a temperature of 2 degrees.
Cresco mostly targets the hospitality industry. The products are presented with appropriate recipes and in simple selections, offering consumers a wide variety of healthy combinations.