Cork Company Jump Juice Bars Launches Jump Juice Direct

 Cork Company Jump Juice Bars Launches Jump Juice Direct

Cork-based company, Jump Juice Bars, has launched a new service Jump Juice Direct, offering nationwide delivery of fresh juices, smoothies, juice cleanses, protein balls and more.

The 100 percent pure fruit and vegetable cold-pressed juices and smoothies can now be ordered online through the dedicated website jumpjuicedirect.ie and delivered straight to your home via a subscription service or a once-off delivery.  

Managing Director of Jump Juice Bars, Charlie Scanlan said, “We are delighted to be launching a tempting range of cold-pressed juices, smoothies and wellness shots exclusively online. Juiced here in Ireland and cold-pressed to maintain its nutritional integrity and clean authentic taste, this vibrant range allows us to reach more of our fans, wherever they live or work. Forming a natural extension of the Jump Juice Bars brand we are really excited to offer our great-tasting juices and smoothies direct to customers at home.”

Jump Juice Direct smoothies and juices are made from 100 percent real fruit and vegetables with nothing else added. The fruit and vegetables are sourced locally as much as possible.  As the juices are cold-pressed, and the smoothies so pure, they will stay fresh in your fridge for up to 45 days, giving plenty of time to enjoy them. 

Operations Director and co-founder of Jump Juice Bars, Claire Scanlan said, “Cold-pressed is a process of juice extraction that seeks to minimise the impact that heat can have on the nutrients of the juice during extraction. Once bottled, the drinks go through a process called high-pressure processing which allows gentle preservation of the juices without additives or heat. These processes together help to deliver a shelf life of up to 45 days. By taste alone, Jump Juice Bars customers will notice the difference in our juices against juices with a longer shelf life.”

The Jump Juice Direct range includes smoothies, juices and ‘wellness shots’ as well as mixed cases of all three. Smoothies include the popular Mango Smoothie (mango, orange, apple and pineapple), The Berry Smoothie (mixed berries, apples, oranges and bananas) and the classic Strawberry Smoothie (strawberries, bananas, grapes and orange). While the juices include the virtuous Green Juice (cucumber, apple, spinach, kale and wheatgrass), The Citrus Twist (strawberries, orange, lemon and pineapple). Wellness Shots are a shot of fruity, vegetable-packed goodness the Apple and Charcoal,  Beetroot and Ginger, Orange and Tumeric shots promise to kick start the day in the best possible way.

Jump Juice Direct has also expertly created various Cleanse options including 1 day, 3 day or 5 day juice cleanse. Each option includes a selection of juices, smoothies, wellness shots and a pack of either Coconut Protein Balls or Peanut Butter Energy per day. Prices start at €29 for the one day cleanse.

Cases of juices and smoothies are delivered nationwide in cases of 6 and start from €17.50. The Wellness Shots are priced at just €30.00 for a mixed or single flavour case of 15 shots. As an introductory offer, there is 20% off first order on subscriptions. Orders can be placed at www.jumpjuicedirect.ie.

Keep up to date with the latest news by following Jump Juice Bars on social media @JumpJuiceBars

Press release

A Quart of Ale± #20. Terrific Irish Ciders. "Lucky to have each of them"

A Quart of Ale± #20

Moving on over to craft.

Terrific Irish Ciders.

"Lucky to have each of them" 

Cider is one of the most ancient of the alcoholic drinks, made wherever apples are grown. Yet some countries, Canada for example, has a law preventing people calling a liquid cider unless it has apples in the ingredients. There is a huge variety of ciders, from dry to sweet, from clear to cloudy. Once at a gite in France, the owner came over with a cloudy bottle, oil to ease a sticking front door we thought, but no it was a delicious homemade cider and there was a basin of strawberries as well!

Normandy and Brittany (where I then was) are well known for their ciders but it is only in recent years that craft cider has hit Irish shelves. And even here now, there is an amazing variety, especially from Munster, Leinster and Ulster. I have just a few examples below, including a non alcoholic gem from Highbank, and they illustrate the variety and quality available.

Con Traas of the Apple Farm, who produces a superb example himself, was asked a few years ago to give his verdict on a couple of the then new ciders, Longueville and Stonewell. He declined, saying we were lucky to have each of them. I feel the same way about the quintet below and others such as those coming from The Cider Mill in Slane, Dan Kelly (also in the Boyne Valley), and others that you can find here at  Cider Ireland .

Stonewell Medium Dry 5.5%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

This County Cork cider is approaching its 10th birthday and is tasting as well as ever. It was their first and  “remains our most popular cider”. It is a classic, very popular here too, and we often order it in restaurants as it goes well with a variety of dishes.

You’ll know it’s Irish by the eye catching Celtic design on the front. Aromas of the orchard invite you in. Light gold colour and squadrons of little bubbles flying up to the top. Terrific wash of sweet apple flavour on the attack and then you note a balancing acidity before a satisfying finish.

They say: We don’t complicate things by using artificial additives, apple concentrate, glucoses syrup or dilute with water. This carbonated cider is best enjoyed as a refreshing thirst quencher, chilled to 7 degrees (watch the ice – whilst it will maintain the chill it can conceal the full flavour!). 

With winter approaching, you can put this out the back for chilling as an overlong spell in the fridge would also hamper the flavour. This medium dry contains approximately 20% cider apples and 80% eating apples. The cider apples provide the astringency in the cider and the structure on which the full, rounder and more citrus characteristics of the eating apples depend. The cider is made from Irish grown apples and the varieties used are Dabinett, Michelin, Jonagored and Elstar.

Highbank Organic  “Drivers Cider” 0%, 330ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

I’m walking through long rows of apple trees, all in blossom, pink and white abound. The grass between is ankle height, lush and liberally populated with white daisies. Lush, but recently topped. Had I been there a week earlier, I would have seen battalions of dandelions.

I was in Kilkenny, in the healthy heart of Highbank Orchards, an organic farm owned and managed by Rod and Julie Calder-Potts. It is here they grow their apples and make their ciders (and more), including this one.

Made from organic cider apples from the Highbank farm, Drivers Cider is a refreshing non-alcoholic drink for the designated driver with no added sugar or chemicals. This Blusher apple limited vintage is Single Estate (grown, distilled and bottled at Highbank Farm) and no sugar or sweeteners have been added. 

It is a bit sweeter than the Stonewell but finishes dry. It’s a delicious well-flavoured drink and really works well with food as we found out during the Sunil Ghai Special Lunch in Sage last year. Any drink that pairs well with Asian is worth noting, especially when you’re driving home afterwards. In fact, we enjoyed the pairing so much, we bought a second round of the Highbank! Probably one of the best of the Irish non alcoholic drinks.

Johnny Fall Down “Late Apples” 2017 5.5%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

Light gold colour, no shortage of bubbles. No mistaking the orchard aromas. This one comes on strong, packed with complex flavour, smoky and spicy with a lingering dry finish. One for your short list for sure, from the new kids on the block at Killahora. 

At a tasting earlier in the summer, Killahora’s Barry said this Late Apples is driven by 30% Dabinett and lots of French varieties, some inedible as a fruit. And that this is designed “for food”. They suggest it is also one for the red wine drinkers and point the white wine drinkers in the direction of their Early Apples issue.

They say: "We work on what the year gives us. In the cidery, we do as little as possible to it. This deeper bittersweet, medium-dry cider is made from the late ripening, rare varieties of apples in our Cork orchards. Pair with darker meats, spicy food, cheese and oily fish.” Serve chilled, no ice!

Killahora was founded by two cousins, Barry Walsh and Dave Watson, with the goal of growing the best rare apple and pear varieties on Irish soil and to use artisanal techniques to turn them into award winning drinks. 

Dave brings a passion for and encyclopaedia-like knowledge of apple and pear trees, while Barry brings the wizardry of fermenting, blending and creating new drinks. “We make everything as naturally as possible with minimum intervention and use wild fermentation.Everything is handmade on site with 100% fresh juice and we take our time, allowing our products to mature for up to a year to get the most complexity of flavour.”

Highbank “Proper Irish Cider” 2016 6%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

This organic cider from Kilkenny’s Highbank Orchard has an amber colour, with fountains of bubbles rising. Aromas are tart and true to the orchard fruit. On the palate, it is just amazing, this masterpiece of deliciousness and refreshment and then that dry finalé. If Bach had made cider, he’d have been happy to put his name to a bottle like this, precise and satisfying from first drop to last.

They say: This traditional, dry cider grown and produced by Highbank Orchards Matured on its wild yeasts Highbank Proper Cider has no added sulphites, no added sugar and is Irish Organic with naturally high tannins. A delicious, refreshing drink, Proper Cider should be served chilled over ice particularly with a fish course.

Highbank Organic Orchards, owned and run by Rod and Julie Calder-Potts, produce their ciders in small batches with an emphasis on pairing ciders with different foods. All organic, with no added sulphites and gluten free, the cider apples are from Highbank’s own organic trees grown on Highbank Organic farm in County Kilkenny. It is a beautiful farm and this is a beautiful cider.

Longueville “Mór” Cider 8%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

Longueville harvest

This Longueville House cider had a clear amber colour and pleasing orchard aromas. This is a medium cider with a delicious full flavour, slight touch of tannins (on the lips) and a satisfying finish. Rubert Atkinson of Longueville: “No ice! It waters down the flavours and kills the sparkle. Enjoy this like a wine, in a wine glass.”

Longueville House (near Mallow, Co. Cork) grow two varieties of cider apple, the Dabinett and the Michelin - “No chemicals and no pesticides”. The regular Longueville House Cider, has an abv of 5.9%. The sugar is natural and they use no extra sulphites. 

Longueville’s Mór gets its higher abv (8.00%) and distinctive flavour from fermentation (1 year) in their just-emptied apple brandy casks. “It is the same juice as the regular cider but is more robust, has more character, more flavour, well rounded, well balanced, really lovely.” I couldn't agree more! Made from 100% fresh apples. Contains only naturally occurring sulphites.

They say: William O'Callaghan and his father Michael before him have been fermenting exceptional craft cider and distilling Ireland's only Apple Brandy now for almost 35 years. We have brought the cider and brandy production to another level while maintaining the very natural and respectful processes of our fore fathers, the terroir and sustainability - crushing, pressing, fermentation, filtration, light carbonation, pasteurisation - all while using no pesticides, fungicides, insecticides or any other ‘cides in our orchards. 

One way they counter the aphids, a tiny bug that can do enormous damage, is to encourage the hoverfly by planting the likes of Fennel, Angelica and Yarrow. These attract the hoverfly, a natural enemy of the aphid.

A French Red and White. Each Very Highly Recommended.

A French Red and White. Each Very Highly Recommended. 

De Brau Pure Pinot Noir Pays D’Oc (IGP) 2018, 13.5%, €16.60 Mary Pawle

A very approachable Pinot Noir with good body and length. 

That’s how importer May Pawle sums up this Pay D’Oc Pinot Noir and indeed you soon realise why it’s “A real favourite with our customers.”

Colour is a shiny mid to dark ruby. And the aromas, cherry and berry, are just as attractive. The good news continues on the palate with a pleasing mouthfeel and a host of black cherry notes. Very soft tannins too and a long finish. 

The Languedoc may not be the usual place for Pinot Noir but this is a winner all the way and Very Highly Recommended. Which is what I also said about the 2015. Serve at 15 -16°C with grilled vegetables and meat (duck, lamb), poultry, even medium spiced Indian food.

De Brau make full use of the Languedoc's predictable sunshine and the cooling sea breezes. A desirable scenario for growing grapes! This organic wine is part of the winery’s PURE range, started in 2006. Other single varietals include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah along with Viognier, Egiodola, Petit Verdot, and Fer Servadou. Some unusual grapes there!

Fessardière “La Gloire De Nos Pères”  Sur Lie Muscadet Sevre et Maine (AOC) 2016, 12%, €18.25 Mary Pawle

The outward signs are good with this wine from the vineyards of Nantes, a city where many an Irish driver got lost in the early days of Brittany Ferries.

It was around here too that many of us made our first acquaintance with Muscadet, usually from the bottom shelf or, perhaps more daringly, from the one just above it. And then we had so much of it (and Gros Plant, which also needs lees to improve its character), we went off it. Bit by bit though, we began to realise there was really good Muscadet and many of them had the magic words “Sur Lie” on the label.

This one has those two words and a beautiful golden colour. Gorgeous aromas too, melon, muted aniseed, floral notes. An amazing concentration on the palate, sharp pineapple, more rounded apricot, and a salty acidity too. And that enlivening fresh and fruity combination tango all the way to a persistent finish. Second glass appeal? You bet. Second shelf for this one? I think you could safely go a little higher. Very Highly Recommended.

This is relatively new to the Mary Pawle portfolio (though she has some other excellent Muscadet from the same producers). “There is more than a hint of the briny Atlantic Ocean in this full bodied wine. Ideally open a short while before serving and you will be well rewarded.”

The label advises much the same: Open one hour in advance, serve 10-12 degrees. It pairs well with fish, spicy white meats, and apéritifs gourmands. Domaine de la Fessardière is located in the west of Loire Valley in the heart of the vineyard of Nantes City. The 25 hectares domain is essentially planted with Melon de Bourgogne grape variety, the grape used to produce Muscadet. Since 1997 vine growing has been following organic methods.  

Amuse Bouche

The nine-person FAI delegation and their advisers gathered early on.. 10 April in a room … of Boswell’s Hotel. As the FAI delegation ordered breakfast, Delaney arrived with Aidan Eames, his new personal solicitor…..

… Although Delaney ordered a fry-up he barely touched it, but drank cup after cup of coffee. The fact that Delaney would not be answering any questions about the €100,000 transaction, nor indeed anything about his 15 years as CEO, dropped like a bombshell for the rest of the delegation.

from Champagne Football by Mark Tighe & Paul Rowan (2020). Very Highly Recommended.

A Quart of Ale± #19 Moving on over to craft. Wheat Beers (Part 2)

 A Quart of Ale± #19

Moving on over to craft. 

Wheat Beers (Part 2). Check out Part 1 here

The most famous wheat beers come from Germany and Belgium where the refreshing drinks are known as Weissbier and Witbier both of which translate as white beer, hence the Westport and Kinnegar whites in this and the previous post. The style normally contains a large proportion of malted wheat. Like all beer styles, Wheat Beers are on the move. Just when you think you know something about it, your brewer thinks of a variation and, according to Craft Beer for the Geeks, “fruited wheat beers are the new normal”.  San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery has the ultimate: Hell or High Watermelon! I was wondering if there were any Irish contenders and then along comes Hope’s Grunt below. 

St Bernardus Wit 5.5%, 33cl bottle Bradley’s of Cork

This famed Belgian, a classic, has a hazy golden/yellow colour, not too easy to see the bubbles but they are there; nice head at the start but won’t be around for long, a lacy veil is all that remains. 

Audaciously aromatic with clove notes standing out, touch of orange and coriander too. Very refreshing, your perfect thirst quencher as herbs and fruit mingle merrily in this traditional unfiltered Belgian white beer. 

It was developed in collaboration with Pierre Celis, the legendary master brewer who founded the Hoegaarden brewery, brewing their signature beer that was the driver of the resurgence of white beer in the 1950s.

They say: This incredibly versatile beer can be paired with almost any recipe from anywhere in the world. Its most outstanding role is perhaps that of a refreshing contrast when served with creamy dishes - a risotto for example - or in combination with shell fish and white fish. Do you serve a slice of lemon with your fish? You can echo that or a lemon sauce or dressing with this beer with its strong hints of citrus.

Note:

The unusual lower serving temperature of 2 - 6 °C.

Bitterness: 15 EBU.

Elbow Lane “Arrow Weisse” 5.0%, 500ml bottle Bradley’s of Cork

Brewed according to the German Purity Law, this Cork wheat beer has an amber robe with a fairly ample white head that stays full for a minute or two, then shrinks to a narrow disc. Typical aromas of clove and banana and those flavours also on the palate which has a refreshing citrus-y streak. Apparently the clove and banana come from the special yeast used to brew this satisfying beer. No artificial preservatives or additives are used and they indicate it is best served at 7-8 degrees.

Somewhat heavier on the palate than both the Japanese and the German (in Part 1) but do remember that Elbow brew their range of beers to match the dishes in the group’s five restaurants in Cork City. The Arrow Weisse was the critics’ choice  recently to pair with ox tongue and kimchi salad. By the way, you’ll note that the staff in the various restaurants are well versed in the merits of each of the beers. 

Elbow Lane is one of the smallest breweries in Ireland and you’ll find it in the restaurant of the same name. All the beers are called after lanes (some of them no longer exist) in the city. Market Lane is the “mothership” restaurant and the others are ORSO, Castle Café, Goldie and Elbow Lane itself.

Kinnegar White Rabbit Session White IPA 4.5%, 440ml can Ardkeen Store, Bradley’s of Cork

Citrus leads here and there is little enough evidence of the clove and banana that is prominent in some wheat beers in this cloudy lemon coloured IPA, a very well made one, from the innovative Donegal brewery. There’s a generous fluffy white head that lasts a fair bit. 

No let-down in the mouth where the malt and hops get together in an impressive juicy fruity amalgam. A lovely balance indeed and an excellent dry lip-smacking finish with a slight bitterness in evidence. Second can appeal for sure.

They say: This is a classic American wheat beer that blends fruity malt with fruity hop flavours and opens them up with a voluminous, puffy white head.We don’t filter or pasteurise, and we let our industrious little friends, the yeast, carbonate the beer naturally during fermentation.” 

There may be a bit of sediment, so pour this cloudy beer carefully but if some ends up in the glass, don’t worry about it. “It’ll put hair on your chest,” as my mother used to say when she spotted someone’s reluctance to try something new.

Hope Grunt Citrus-y Wheat Beer 4.8%, 440ml can Ardkeen Store

Craft Beer for the Geeks say “fruited wheat beers are the new normal”. Well, here’s an Irish one, so let us see what’s going on in the tin. On the tin itself, there’s  rather fanciful yarn as to how the beer got its name.

The beer  though is not fanciful though the short-lasting head is a bit of a tease. The liquid  is a slightly hazy light gold. It is quite assertive on the palate, bone-dry, citrusy and a little spicy, the citrus coming from the hops plus the adjuncts lemongrass and bergamot. Good refreshing finish too though you have to concentrate hard to find the notes of juniper, the other addition. An excellent beer but I’m not sure I’d be guessing its style correctly in a blind tasting.

EBU, by the way, is 21 and they say Grunt is an excellent accompaniment to most food, in particular fish, to replace a traditional dry white wine, but also spicy food, where the strong flavours and refreshing quality of the beer can hold its own where a wine could not. It is also good with both strong cheese, and creamy cheese.

Had I not known about wheat as an ingredient (listed on their website, but not on the can), I’d have been inclined to class this as an IPA rather than  wheat beer. In any case, it’s a very decent drink indeed.

Ingredients: Water.

Malts: Pale Ale, Wheat, Acidulated

Hops: Citra, Cascade

Yeast: European Ale Yeast, American Ale Yeast

Spices: Juniper, Lemongrass & Bergamot

Check out Part 1 here

Christmas Comfort Kits from Sligo's Pudding Row

 Seasonal Christmas Comfort Kits from Pudding Row 

 

Everyone’s favourite seaside bakery Pudding Row have announced their new Christmas Comfort Kits which are now available to pre-order.  Since reopening as a grocery store earlier this year, Pudding Row have continued to trade as a takeaway offering their highly sought-after pear sandwiches, fresh bagels, and sweet treats. 

 

Commenting on the new festive kits, proprietor and head baker Dervla Conlon said: “We launched our original comfort kits during the initial lockdown in March and they quickly became a phenomenal success. We were blown away. We had orders from all over the world; people sending comfort kits to friends and family across Ireland and the UK. Our new Christmas Comfort Kit is a seasonal twist with delicious Pudding Row treats and the very best of Irish produce. It is the perfect gift for people to send to loved ones that they might not get to see this Christmas.”

The new Christmas Comfort Kit features artisan produce and homemade Christmas goodies from the Pudding Row team. 

 

The Kit consists of 1lb homemade Christmas pudding; 6 homemade mince pies with brandy butter, 4 homemade shortbread biscuits, 1 jar of raspberry jam; 1 jar of tomato chutney; 1 bag of housemade granola; 1 bag of Ariosa Christmas Blend Coffee and a handwritten Pudding Row Christmas card with a custom message for the recipient. 

 

Each Christmas Comfort Kit costs €70 with free delivery nationwide. Pudding Row Christmas and regular Comfort Kits are available to order online at puddingrow.ie 

press release

Food Heroes. Three Courses. Three Sources.

Local Food Heroes.

Three Courses. Three Sources.

Creamy!!!

The best Panna Cotta ever. An exquisite Pâté. And a classic Beef Bourguignon. 

Three courses, sourced from three local food heroes, composed a very satisfactory evening meal last weekend. Chapeau to Farmgate Café, On the Pig’s Back and Annie’s Roast (and to Neighbourfood who have all three on their list). 

We may be restricted in our movements but thanks to being able to order online and to deliveries by Neighbourfood, and the work of the Blog Chef, we can still enjoy our meals. I’m sure many of you have found your own satisfactory solutions.

One thing about ordering online is that you can end up sometimes with too little, sometimes too much. We had been thinking about ordering Saturday’s evening meal in (via Click & Collect or similar) but then took stock of what was already in the house and came up with this very tasty alternative indeed.

Think I’ll start at the end with that amazing Panna Cotta from Annie’s Roast. Annie is probably best known to most of us for her market stall that features mainly ducks and chickens (which come from East Ferry Farm owned by her brother Rob and his wife Yvonne). By the way, she’s now taking orders, including goose and turkey, for Christmas

But she also does a variety of prepared foods and this rich and luxurious dessert is one of them. One to watch out for! This classic Italian sweet is made with delicate vanilla bottom and a fresh strawberry topping, using all local-licious produce including: buttermilk, cream, sugar, strawberries (€5.50). 

The starter, from the English Market’s Farmgate was also pretty rich, smooth and superb. Chef Pam Kelly and her team have come up with a very satisfying combination of Carrignavar Duck Livers and Longueville House Apple Brandy. And you get quite a tub of it for just over a fiver.

We’ve got in quite a few prepared snacks and meals from On the Pig’s Back via Neighbourfood. The Beef Bourguignon (€7.95) comes freshly frozen and has a shelf life of 3 months. But it was dispatched here after three days.

It is the traditional French stew prepared with beef braised in red wine and beef broth, flavoured with garlic, onions, carrots, and mushrooms. Serves 1-2. Suggested side (not included): Creamy mashed potato. It takes about 20 minutes to reheat - you get instructions!

We did add the mashed potato as suggested and this was yet another winner. Just top class quality beef, hearty and warming, a genuine traditional taste of the heart of France made right here in the heart of the city with the best of Irish ingredients. Superb. But then, the kitchen in On the Pig’s Back seldom (if ever) disappoints.

Farmgate Café 

On The Pig’s Back 

Annie’s Roasts  

Neighbourfood 

Supporting local will be the aim again this weekend. Looking forward to trying the incredibly popular Dim Sum from O'Mahony's Watergrasshill. We missed on their first two offerings of it as it sold out very quickly. Third time lucky though! 

Wildwood Vinegars launch limited edition gift box

PRESS RELEASE

Wildwood Vinegars launch limited edition gift box

Fionntán Gogarty of Wildwood Vinegars has produced a truly exquisite seasonally-inspired gift box for the Christmas market. Just 365 individually numbered Wildwood Four Season Collection gift boxes have been made; one for each day of the year. Within it, nestling amongst seeds, spices and lichens are four special edition barrel-aged Balsamics, each the essence of its season: 

- Wild Elderflower and Wild Rose Petal for Spring
- Wild Mountain Thyme and Wild Fuchsia Blossom for Summer
- Wild Blackberry for Autumn (aged for 6 years)
- Wild Elderberry with Star Anise for Winter (aged for 6 years)

These four Balsamics are not available for sale in stores. 

The gift box itself is beautifully presented, and is in itself a voyage of discovery, featuring inside a sheet entitled ‘The Seasons at Wildwood’ with a thoughtful exploration of each seasonal offering accompanied by a relevant quote. This also explains the Wildwood ethos – recycling Italian glass bottles, sustainable Portuguese cork and offsetting carbon used in foraging and delivery through seven acres of fields reserved for birds and a forest of 30,000 trees. Also included is a pack of wild bee and butterfly seeds encouraging each recipient to continue the cycle in their locality. 

Fionntán explained the thinking behind the gift box, saying, "My work both as an artist and food producer is intricately woven into the seasonal changes, the changing colours and the wonder of nature. These, I hope, are infused into the creating and ageing of these Balsamics. They are as much about a taste of place as a taste of the simple wild ingredients that unlock the magic of nature’s essences.”   

The Wildwood Vinegars Four Season Collection gift box costs €80 and is available exclusively available through www.husseysfarm.com for delivery nationwide. Fionntán Gogarty can be contacted at info@wildwoodvinegars.com. 

Taste of the Week. The Rocket Man's Smoky Corn and Yellow Lentil Dahl

Taste of the Week.

The Rocket Man's Smoky Corn and Yellow Lentil Dahl 

The Rocket Man is one of the most popular food suppliers in Cork city for the past few years. With the current restrictions, I nowadays most regularly come across his food in NeighbourFood, the small producers platform that he founded.

And it was there that I found our current Taste of the Week, a heartwarming Smoky Corn And Yellow Lentil Dahl. Heartwarming even if it is delivered frozen (with a shelf life of five days). It is described as 
"Ready to Eat Indian Inspired Yellow Lentil Dahl with Grilled Corn. Comes with Toasted Coconut, Yoghurt and Fresh Herbs. Vegan without the yoghurt topping."

You get a big tub (480g) for less than six euro and it's a terrific lunch for two. Big hearty flavours with a satisfying crunchy (softish!) texture. And you also get a few toppings with your Taste of the Week. Well worth a try!