Grain
Maris Widgeon
A tier
Maris Widgeon is a tall British winter wheat released in the 1960s, later famous among thatchers for long straw and among artisan bakers for flavourful, extensible flour with moderate strength. It is a heritage modern cultivar rather than a medieval landrace, bridging mid-century breeding and contemporary specialty milling. Bakers use Maris Widgeon for sourdoughs, country loaves, and blended strong flours; wholemeal and high-extraction stones capture its cereal aroma. Long straw remains valued for traditional roof thatching where supply exists.
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History
Maris Widgeon was released from the Plant Breeding Institute as a tall quality winter wheat.
Commercial acreage used Maris Widgeon before semi-dwarf cultivars dominated yield trials.
Thatchers and heritage bakers kept demand alive as mainstream farming moved on.
Artisan mills marketed Maris Widgeon flour for characterful British sourdough.
Organic and low-input farms expanded small Maris Widgeon plantings.
Specialty grain networks listed Maris Widgeon as a flagship heritage milling wheat.