British watercress farmers celebrate 250th anniversary of the Sandwich

British watercress farmers celebrate the 250th anniversary of the sandwich by presenting the Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, with the original version of his ancestor’s fast food creation. Legend has it the 4th Earl of Sandwich’s first ever bready snack contained cold roast beef, horseradish and the pièce de résistance, peppery watercress. British watercress farmers decided to mark the association between this quintessentially British crop and one of Britain’s greatest inventions at the start of National Sandwich Week (13 – 19 May) in this historic year for the snack.

Charles Barter and The 11th Earl of Sandwich John Montagu celebrating the 250th anniversary of the sandwich with the Original Watercress Horseradish and Roast beef Sandwich.

Watercress farmer Charles Barter said: "Watercress used to be a staple part of the British diet and small steps like this can make a big difference to your health and help Britain’s farmers. I put a whole fist full of watercress into my sandwiches to give it that distinctive peppery bite but also to boost my intake of the 15 essential vitamins and nutrients watercress contains."

Watercress farmers are hoping to put the original sandwich culinary treat back on the menu by encouraging the nation to put watercress back into their everyday sandwiches too.

www.watercress.co.uk

For more information:
Lucy Hancock
Tel: + 44 [0] 20 8892 5665
[email protected]