Shoppers across the UK have been left baffled after struggling to find the once-common ingredient cress on supermarket shelves. The edible plant, part of the mustard family, is known for its small, green, fluffy leaves and strong peppery, tangy flavour. It has long been a staple in salads, sandwiches—such as the classic egg and cress—and as a garnish.
Nostalgic Memories and Disappearance
Many people associate cress with school-time memories of growing it in an eggshell with a face drawn on it, the leafy greens resembling hair. However, some shoppers have noticed its absence in recent years. One Reddit user posted: "What happened to cress? Can’t find it anywhere in the supermarkets, not in the pre-made sandwiches either. You used to see it everywhere, now I don’t reckon I’ve seen any in years."
Another user joked: "You don’t buy cress, you grow it on damp cotton wool in an eggshell with a face drawn on it." A third commenter confirmed: "You are 100% definitely correct OP. I asked exactly the same thing to a food writer friend of mine about a year ago. And she had no answer, whilst at the same time conceding the validity of the question. This year though, at least in my neck of the woods, it’s been making a comeback. Still not as prevalent as once it was, but for the first time for quite a while - I can now regularly get it again in the ‘Big Sainsbury's’."
Changes in Taste and Availability
Some shoppers have noticed a change in taste over the years. One Reddit user remarked: "I certainly remember cress tasting more strong and mustardy when I was a kid than buying an egg & cress sandwich these days…" Another added: "Yeah well I'm old af so I noticed the difference in taste from being a child whose Mum was a massive cress user. We had egg butties all the time, dad's favourite pack-up lunch. I maybe have my nostalgia specs on but it stopped tasting like peppery cress. It was still ok on an egg butty but not the same."
Alternative Sources
Some shoppers have found alternative ways to obtain cress. One user advised: "Buy a packet of seeds and grow it on some cotton wool or kitchen roll. If you grow fenugreek seeds you get curry flavoured shoots that go great in chicken butties." Another noted: "My kid has come home with s***loads from nursery and school consistently for the last 7 years. No need to buy it, the education system seemingly has a constant supply."
Despite the apparent scarcity, some retailers like Sainsbury's have started stocking cress again in certain areas, offering hope for fans of the peppery green.
