FOLLÁIN: MO GRÁ MÓR
August in a sunny field picking blackberries. Boys and girls all around.
Loads of mature briars growing, lots of black berries. Bees and wasps whizzing. Jar
in hands as we push into the briars. A big can standing on the margins,
probably the same can that is used to bring the milk from the farmer every
evening.
Just a little reverie. Brought on after tasting the magical Blackberry jam made
by Folláin in West Cork. It is the real thing. Gorgeous. Just like homemade.
The only problem is that it could lead to eating too much bread.
And then I move on to the Blackcurrant in the sample box. That reminded
me of the fields of blackcurrants and the gangs of us picking them at Dring’s Farm.
And also all the more exotic fruit in
the high walled garden.
Looking forward to eating more of the quality Folláin jams! Perhaps the strawberry
will remind me of days at the Rathcooney Fruit Farm. The raspberry of visits to
Carriganarra.
By the way, where have all the fruit farms gone? Are there any left in
Cork? Well, at least we have Folláin and their marvellous range.
Folláin, the Irish for wholesome, was started close on thirty years ago by
Peadar and Máirín O'Lionáird in
Cuil Aodha. Didn't realise they have been around since 1983. But they have, and
their products, widely available, have won many awards.
They have a smashing website at http://www.follain.ie.
It is well worth a visit. It even contains a whole bunch of recipes with loads
of ideas of how to use their jams, preserves and relishes.
