I recently had the opportunity to meet with Richard Burgoon, the president and owner, and Andy Brown, the vice president of marketing, of B&W Quality Growers, the world’s largest grower and shipper of cultivated watercress.  Its founding family has celebrated 140 years as watercress farmers.

Though I have long known of the tremendous health and longevity benefits of the cruciferous vegetables, I was truly amazed to learn about the remarkable nutrient-rich properties of watercress.  On a tour of one of B&W’s wonderful farms, Richard explained to me that watercress is extremely perishable and a challenge to grow, requiring the perfect combination of pure and cold water, ideal weather conditions, and unique soil requirements.  To provide for a constant year-round supply, B&W has developed a unique network of smaller sustainable seasonable farms in six states.  This “follow-the-sun” farming model allows B&W’s watercress farms to lie fallow to rest and recharge naturally each year for a smaller ecofootprint and reduced strain on the land and environment.  Combined, these seasonal farms qualify the family as the largest watercress growers in the world, though they seem focused more on quality than on size.

Learn more about the benefits of watercress in Forever Young.

What is your favorite way to eat watercress?