FOOD
COOKING ACCESSORIES – RESEARCH
As reported last Autumn by the CBI in its report ‘Which trends offer opportunities in the EU Spices and Herbs market? it states that the European/British demand for spices and herbs continues to grow. This is due to trends such as healthy living, interest in new tastes, convenience and sustainability. Thanks to high demand, leading to increasing prices and a sense of scarcity, European/British buyers and customers are continuously looking for new suppliers. You can also find opportunities in smaller or niche markets focusing on special varieties, improved quality and sustainability. However, you need to comply with strict requirements for quality, food safety and traceability to enter the European/British market.
CASE FOR COOKING – spice kits, pots and pastes
Taking two years to develop (because of compliance with the strict criteria referred to above), Case For Cooking have now launched their great range of brilliantly branded spice kits, pots and pastes. Customers can create deliciously different dinners with their kits and spice pots, all of which come with simple printed instructions and contain enough spices and herbs to make multiple servings. Every kit or pot is hand blended and free from additives and preservatives.
We tried samples of the spice kits (as above), and found them excellent.
Highly recommended
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
RUM
J W DISTILLERS LTD (ENGLISH SPIRIT)
Award winning (over 100 prestigious awards) Master Distillers, J W Distillers Ltd, whose brand, English Spirit covers a 30 strong product range, is probably justified in its claim to be England’s original small batch premium distiller.
It was also the first distillery in England to distil rum from 100% molasses, quite a feat – so we had to try its ‘English Spiced Rum’ – this is a sensational blend – perfectly balanced between a strong spirit ‘kick’ and the ‘ spicey’ undertones. The quality of this product is truly reflective of over six year’s worth of rum distilling experience.
Highly recommended
GIN
THE ECCENTRIC GIN DISTILLERY
Housed in a building in Llantrisant which has historic connections to William Price, a fabled local eccentric, the Company has taken this theme through in each of its gins which unusually incorporate ‘elfwort’, a sacred Celtic botanical.
Whilst we were impressed with the Cardiff Dry, we were taken with the simpler Violet Gin – lovely subtle colour with a smooth flavour and delicately flavoured with violet.
Highly recommended
LIQUEURS
CONDESSA WELSH LIQUEURS
Condessa is a family run business, founded in Chester in 1969; following its move to rural Anglesey in 1989 to a 5,400 sq ft factory and winery the company has continued to expand its range, making varied and delicious award winning liqueurs and low fat cream liqueurs.
We tried the Sloe Gin in which seasonal fruit and pure Celtic spirit are infused to create a delicious sloe G & T – certainly hits all the marks for taste and effect!
Highly recommended