Tasty and nutritious, the great Kentish cobnut is making a comeback and will star in a new BBC programme this week, as Dan Wright found out.

Alexander Hunt is nutty for cobnuts. The 52-year-old, who lives in the small village of Platt near Borough Green, owns a six-acre plantation of the cultivated hazelnuts and now dedicates his life to growing them.

His Potash Farm company – which enjoyed record sales at the recent Broadstairs Food Festival – is like no other in the country, according to Alexander, and grows the food once loved by the Victorians and Edwardians.

His website is the first retailer to sell cobnuts in their green, golden and de-husked state, and he is committed to the nuts’ preservation.

So when the BBC contacted Alexander about filming at his site, the former property salesman jumped at the chance.

Two months after filming took place, Potash Farm will star in new BBC daytime programme Home Away From Home.

The show, hosted by Sevenoaks-based presenter Gloria Hunniford, follows families from around the UK as they swap homes with complete strangers to experience new places and lifestyles.

Alexander’s business will star on Tuesday, October 14, as the programme is aired around the country on BBC1 at 3.45pm.

“It was some very interesting filming they did here,” he said.

“They approached us two months ago, and we thought this was something we couldn’t let slip by.

“We’ve got a 10 minute slot and the film crew said it was one of the most enjoyable things they’ve done this year.”

In the show, a couple from Devon swap homes with a Kent-based pair, and each pair try different activities near their new homes – with Alexander showing the Devon couple around his site as they give nut-picking a try.

He added: “It was very educational for them; they had a whale of a time.

“They came to a part of the country they didn’t know and learnt about unique Kentish products.”

Alexander is also due to appear on Radio 4’s Food Programme in the near future. And he is gearing up for Potash Farm’s biggest direct sales period this month, with his cobnuts on show at various food events, starting at the Great Comp Gardens’ Autumn Extravaganza in Platt.

Home Away From Home, starring Potash Farm, airs on BBC One on Tuesday, October 14, at 3.45pm.