The sprout top is the growing point at the top of a brussels sprout stalk.

The top can be broken off with a sharp twisting action.

The process of removing the tops is often called ’stopping the sprouts’ as it stops the elongation of the stalk and causes all the sprouts to equalise.

When sprout tops are removed, all the sprout buttons left on the stalk will grow to a similar size.

If the top is removed from the sprout stalk at the start of the season, all the sprouts on the stalk will grow to the same size. This will not be a good idea for a family, who will be faced with too many sprouts ready at one time. So some sprouts will be wasted.

The natural development of sprouts on a stalk is ideal for a family, as there is a continual picking process, with those at the bottom being ready first. The sprouts at the top of the stalk are harvested several weeks after the bottom ones.

Traditionally, the brussel sprout tops are removed from the stalks when there are 25% of the sprouts left on the stalk. Removing the tops from the sprouts allows the tiny buttons at the top of the stalk to grow in to a sprout button worth harvesting.

Stopping can be done if the weather is frosty or not. The sprout tops make a change from the brussels themselves.

The sprout tops make an excellent vegetable if steamed for 15mins and then drained & chopped.

Removing the tops from the brussel sprout stalks is a worthwhile exercise because it brings on the tiny sprouts at the top of the stalk, as well as providing another vegetable.