Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/874703
6 | t h e c l e v e r r o o t Innovation in the world of produce may seem improbable. Innovation in farming techniques, sure . . . but in the product itself? That's almost unheard of. Mann's, though, isn't satisfied with the status quo. They're constantly seeking to better their products while making them more accessible to their customers and distributors. Here are a few things the company has up its sleeve. Better Burger Leaf® The average consumer may not think about the engineering that goes into a lettuce leaf, but Mann's certainly does. "We wanted something that would fit perfectly on a sandwich, with all the components that you want in burger lettuce," Koster explains. After experimenting with different lettuce breeds, Better Burger Leaf® was born: a circular leaf with the look and taste of upscale green leaf lettuce but the hardiness of iceberg. It also has no center rib running through it, so the lettuce is almost all leaf—making it ideal for sandwiches and burgers. Stringless Sugar Snap Peas After spending a hefty portion of my childhood sitting at the counter destringing snap peas for dinner, I felt a personal sense of giddiness when Costa and Koster led me to a field full of curly tendrils on which sugar snap peas dangled. "We created a pea that has no string, making it easier to snack on the go or put in your child's lunch without preparation," Koster says as the three of us munch on the peas straight from the vine. About 40 million pounds of the peas—an exclusive variety sold only by Mann's—are harvested each year. Broccolini® I was especially surprised to discover that Mann's is the exclusive producer and seller of Broccolini® in the United States. "If you see Broccolini in the super- market or at a restaurant, it's ours," Koster says proudly. Broccolini is the natural hybrid of broccoli and Chinese kale (called gai-lan) developed less than 20 years ago, and it's enjoying immense popularity right now as one of the fastest-growing vegetables to appear in restaurants both gourmet and fast food (it recently made its debut on Chick-fil-A's menu as part of the chain's Superfood Side). With the hardiness of iceberg, taste of green leaf lettuce and no center rib, Better Burger Leaf® is an ideal match for burgers or sandwiches. Innovative Veggies Mann's proprietary stringless sugar snap peas grow close to the ground in Salinas.