Cress Seeds: Peppery Herbs with a Fresh, Spicy Note

Botanically, cress is not a single uniform plant group. Many species with a cress-like flavour belong to the brassica family and contain mustard oil glycosides, which are responsible for their typical sharpness. Other plants, such as nasturtium, belong to a different plant family, but also develop a distinctly peppery, spicy aroma and are therefore used in a similar way in the kitchen.

The best-known species is garden cress (Lepidium sativum). It grows extremely quickly, can be grown on soil, fleece or in sprouting trays and is often ready to harvest after just a few days. Its fresh, sharp flavour goes well with bread, curd cheese, salads, soups, egg dishes and cold dishes. This makes garden cress one of the easiest herbs for the windowsill, the kitchen and fresh harvests all year round.

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is a perennial aquatic and moisture-loving plant with a strong, spicy cress flavour. It is traditionally valued as a salad and medicinal plant and is suitable for damp garden areas, places near springs, stream edges or suitably cultivated containers. Winter cress or yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) also provides sharp, spicy leaves and is particularly interesting because it can offer fresh greens even in the cooler season.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) brings another side of the cress aroma into the garden. Leaves, flowers and young seed pods taste peppery and sharp, while also being highly decorative. The bright flowers make it a popular plant for herb beds, balconies, raised beds and gardens with edible flowers.

Cress and cress-like herbs are especially interesting because they connect the kitchen with herbal knowledge. They provide fresh seasoning, can be used raw and add liveliness to simple dishes with their sharp flavour. At the same time, many of these plants have a long tradition as spring herbs, salad herbs and home apothecary herbs.

• Seeds for garden cress, watercress, winter cress, nasturtium and other cress-like herbs
• Fresh, sharp seasoning herbs with notes of mustard, radish and pepper
• Ideal for salads, bread, curd cheese, herbal cuisine, sprouts and edible flowers

With cress seeds, you can grow versatile herbs that grow quickly, taste intense and instantly add freshness and sharpness to even the simplest dishes.