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Farmaround Organic

by Andrew on October 1, 2012 in In The Basket, Online Retailers, Specialist Shops with No comments

Farmaround Organic vegetable bagIf you’re looking for fresh organic produce straight from the farm, then look no further as Farmaround Organic is now delivering to homes in London, the Home Counties and the North East. Farmaround Organic has, yet again, launched a first-of-its-kind organic product range which takes making ethical food choices to a new level.

Having initially pioneered the veg box delivery revolution, Farmaround Organic are now offering customers the opportunity to add organic, cruelty free eggs and milk to their weekly order. Farmaround are proud to be the only company in the UK to stock a range of ethically sourced milk and eggs from Good Food Nation. Good Food Nation cows and hens are able to live out their full, natural life* in their natural habitat roaming the fields in farms around Southern England, resulting in creamy milk and ever so tasty eggs, a far cry from the mass produced product found in supermarkets across the country

The Good Food Nation produce and a weekly fruit and veg box are just a click away – go online and pick and choose from a selection of seasonal organic produce, sourced from a network of small English farms and cooperatives in the Mediterranean. Get your five a day the easy way and choose from fresh produce bags, such as the ‘Standard Veg bag’ or the ‘Salad bag’ or go to the tailor-made section where you can create your own. The site also stocks the very best in other organic branded produce, from food and drink to beauty and cleaning products.

Farmaround were the pioneers of the first organic veg box delivery service, launched in 1994 by Izzy Lane, with a mission to provide an urban-based, health and environmentally conscious crowd with fresh organic produce straight from the farm.

The service was the first of its kind in London and was driven by a desire to promote the health benefits of eating organic food, the welfare of animals and the protection of wildlife habitats to those looking for a fresh, ethical alternative to buying from large supermarkets.

The Good Food Nation produce and a weekly fruit and veg box are just a click away – go online and pick and choose from a selection of seasonal organic produce, sourced from a network of small English farms and cooperatives in the Mediterranean

www.farmaround.co.uk
www.goodfoodnation.co.uk

* Most hens including organic and free-range ones are killed at 68-72 weeks old yet they can carry on producing eggs their whole natural lives of 5-7 years. Dairy cows are killed at around 5 years old on average when their life expectancy, like a horse can be up to 20 years. Male calves are either shot at birth or raised for veal with many live transported as far as Spain


Virgin Wines Virtual Winery

by Andrew on September 25, 2012 in Online Retailers with No comments

virgin wines virtual wineryAfter the success of Virgin Wines first Virtual Winery held in Italy last year, the online wine retailer has launched the Virgin Wines Virtual Winery – The Rioja Experience.

The Virtual Winery project aims to bring together a group of impassioned wine lovers in the creation of a new wine – one that doesn’t yet exist – and actively play a part in the decisions that shapes its future. Hot off the heels of the first Virgin Wines’ Virtual Winery which was held last year at the Pallavicini wine estate in Lazio in Italy, this year sees the opportunity for customers to come together and get involved in the making of a red wine from Rioja.

As a Virtual Winemaker, customers will have access to a dedicated online platform where they can follow updates from the winemakers. They will also have the chance to win a trip to visit the winery, will receive regular email updates, and most importantly will be asked to vote on certain aspects of the making of their wine. The votes will cover decision in the vineyard and winery, the wine’s name and even the label. All of this interaction will allow anyone – wherever they are located – to get involved.

Virgin Wines has joined forces with the innovative Finca Manzanos winery on this second Virtual Winery project. Virgin Wines has been working with Finca Manzanos for several years and their wines have proved favourites with Virgin Wines’ customers. The young and talented Borja Ripa heads up the winemaking, producing wines which are true examples of the best Rioja traditions but tempered by the modern demands for fresher, more fruit-forward wines.

Commenting on the launch, Jay Wright, Managing Director at Virgin Wines said:

“Our Virgin Wines Virtual Winery is a fantastic opportunity to bring together a bunch of switched-on wine lovers and invite them to do something pioneering and engaging. The feedback from our first Virtual Winery was excellent, so we were keen to repeat it although this time around we hope it will be even bigger and better. We’re delighted to be working with Finca Manzanos – they are a great team, make fantastic wines and a perfect fit for this project.”

Víctor Fernández de Manzanos Roldán from Finca Manzanos added “At Finca Manzanos we are committed to sharing the excitement of wine with all our friends. The Manzanos family and I are keen to continue the work my late Father, who deeply wanted customers to have the chance to take an active part in the winemaking experience and to experiment with the pleasure of “creating” wine. We hope to make this dream come true by teaming up with Virgin Wines on this exciting Virtual Winery project.”

More details about the Virtual Winery – The Rioja Experience can be found at http://www.virginwines.co.uk/virtual-winery/. Already over 380 customers have signed up.

To participate costs £12 which secures a 12 bottle case of the final wine and lets you join in with the voting on key wine making decisions, decide on the name and label, and be the first to sample the wine at a preview tasting to be held in London next spring.

Applebys Cheese

by Andrew on September 24, 2012 in In Search Of..., Online Retailers with 1 Comment

applebys cheeseIt is British Cheese Week 2012. A perfect excuse for eating cheese! We are not talking about those stretchy strings or vacuum packed plastic but artisanal and handcrafted cheese; one of the greatest pleasures and most interesting facet of the UK food scene.

Take Appleby’s of rural Shropshire. Farming and cheese making have been a way of life for the Appleby family for several generations. The cheese making has changed little since Appleby’s cheese was first made at Hawkstone Abbey Farm in 1952.

The Appleby’s work closely as a family to produce, sell and support Appleby’s Cheshire, Appleby’s Smoked and Appleby’s Double Gloucester. The traditional Cheshire Cheese recipe has been handed down through the Appleby family and now the third generation of Appleby’s, Paul, his wife Sarah and sister Clare, are fully involved in the business. Meanwhile, the second generation, Edward and Christine, still support the business. Paul has been working alongside his parents, Edward and Christine, learning the art of farming and cheesemaking. He is supported in the dairy by Garry Gray, the Head Cheesemaker and by the team on the farm. Clare has responsibility for Marketing and Business Development. Cheese is a part of the Appleby family!

The cheeses Appleby’s produce are consistent award winners. This year at the Cheshire show they were awarded two Trophies and their Cheshire and Smoked won Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards 2012. This year they are celebrating 60 years of quality cheese making.

Various Applebys Cheese are stocked by Waitrose, Paxton & Whitfield, Neal’s Yard Dairy, the Fine Cheese Co, independent retailers and direct from Applebys Cheese. Spittoon has a comprehensive Matching Cheese and Wine Guide.

Baba’s Rashi & Dibis

by Andrew on September 3, 2012 in In Search Of..., Online Retailers with No comments

Babas Rashi DibisBaba’s Rashi & Dibis is a delicious sweet new spread from Terra Rossa, combining Tahini, Date Molasses and Spices – a secret recipe mix of Hanan Samara’s father – and a slightly naughty indulgence! Hanan explains: “My Dad was a diabetic and should have avoided sugary treats like this, but he adored Rashi & Dibis and would eat it at 5 o’clock in the morning while the family was sleeping so as not to worry Mama.”

The launch of Terra Rossa’s new Baba’s Rashi & Dibis means that everyone can now enjoy this incredibly moreish sweet, sticky and nutty spread, which is usually mopped up and scooped with fresh warm Arabic or pita bread. It provides a delicious snack at any time of the day and can be used in the same way as treacle, maple syrup, honey or chocolate spread.

Baba’s Rashi & Dibis’ ingredients are combined and presented in a jar ready to spread and devour and includes Tahini which is familiar to many as the main ingredient in Houmous, Taratour Sauce (Falafel Tahini Sauce) and Baba Ganoush (Aubergine Dip). However, it is also extensively used in making a whole host of other savoury and sweet dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine such as Halawa (also commonly known as Halva). The rich syrupy flavour comes from Dates and their juices which are a natural sweetener with a wonderful treacle-like texture. Although date molasses is of Assyrian origin including Iraq, Iran and Syria, nowadays excellent quality fruits also come from Levant countries such as Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon – and of course North Africa and countries from the Arabian Peninsula.

You can start your day with a generous helping of Baba’s Rashi & Dibis mixed through porridge, or stirred into Greek yoghurt or rice pudding. It can be added to cakes, dipped with marsh mallows, sandwiched between biscuits, drizzled over ice-cream or into custard. Mixed with nuts it makes the perfect pancake filling and can even be blended into milkshakes.

“Baba’s favourite treat is a version of a Banana Split,” says Hanan. “He would slice a banana, add a tablespoon of Greek Style yoghurt, top with one or two tablespoons of Baba’s Sweet Sauce and sprinkle with crushed pistachios – simply scrumptious!”

Baba’s Rashi & Dibis has an RRP of £4.50 for a 200gm jar and will soon be available from the Terra Rossa website.

Stuff & Spoilt Hampers

by Andrew on August 29, 2012 in Online Retailers with No comments

stuffed and spoilt hampers‘Stuffed & Spoilt’ is selling artisan food hampers and gift boxes, which showcase the best of local Kent produce not usually found outside specialist outlets in their immediate area. The Rochester-based company also sells luxury toiletries and lavender baskets.

“There exists a wealth of wonderful produce right here on our doorstep in Kent,” said Stuffed & Spoilt owner Ashleigh Jenkins, who is making gourmet food and drinks available to foodies throughout the UK with next day deliveries.

The Stuffed and Spolit hampers make ideal presents for friends and family as well as corporate Christmas gifts. There is a full range of sixty pre made hampers including, a ‘Taste of Kent’, ‘Stuffed Beer’, ‘Special For Him/Her, ‘Vino Box’ and ‘Night Scented Stock’ plus a bespoke service tailored for special celebrations. A Stuffed & Spoilt gift card adds a personal touch and individualises the gift with the customer’s message.

The £85 bumper ‘Christmas Hamper’ includes luxury marmalade with winter spice, organic mulled wine, Kentish walnuts, crackers, vanilla fudge, chocolate biscuits, cranberry sauce with Port and a handmade Christmas pudding.

Ashleigh has trawled the “Garden of England”, visiting producers, suppliers, farm-shops, delis and farmers markets, “Tasting, sniffing, testing and sampling incredibly special and luxurious, local delights.”

Stuff & Spoilt Hampers include such items as; chocolates from Canterbury and Tenterden; cider from Biddenden; wine from Meopham and Tenterden; preserves and chutneys from Deal, juices from Teynham and Rochester; soap and toiletries from Sevenoaks, London and Bath; tea and coffee from Pluckley; rapeseed oil from Margate; cakes and biscuits from Ashford; nuts and brittle from St Mary’s Platt, marinades from Margate, beer from Westerham and lavender from Whitstable.

According to Ashleigh, these companies are all preserving the rich heritage of British baking, cookery and crafts as well as using new and innovative methods and ingredients.

Often not available outside small, specialist outlets, suppliers draw on the fresh, seasonal and inspiring produce, that are worlds apart from those available in supermarkets.

Stuffed and Spoilt

Prices range from £28.50 to the top of the range ‘Stuffed to Bursting’ hampers costing £270. Next day delivery costs from £7.50

New customers will also receive a free jar of red chilli jam worth £5 with their first order over £45 placed before 31st November.

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