This week brings the delivery of our next exciting artisan food Discovery Club box and those (sensible) foodie subscribers & lucky gift recipients are in for a real treat as we continue our journey through food combining originality with vitality, and pitching serious snacking against culinary creativeness. The beauty of curating an artisan food subscription box is that each month I get to fulfil my passion, and work with specialist food producers from across the country. Food producers & traders who put their life into good food, and it’s our job to bring that good food to your door.
I love the eclectic mix of goodies in this months artisan food box, and while you munch on the rather quirky snacks you can mull over how best to cook, prepare or infuse the rest of the items!
The Discovery Club is co-curated by the fantastic Dr Deborah Quinn, and do check out her separate blog posts here and here using the couple of items she chose for this months subscription box. It’s a fascinating insight of health, wellbeing and nutrition. Plus there are some great recipe ideas. And so onto the details of our incredible sellers & products in the box, which can all be ordered from the BoroughBox Marketplace …
Two very on-trend products from the guys at Coconut Merchant, who are aiming to revolutionise the way we enjoy natural foods. Ethically sourced the Extra-Virgin Ceylon Coconut Oil is made by cold-pressing coconut flesh. This means that it is raw, maintaining all the natural goodness of the coconuts! Bottled at source, the coconut oil is high in Lauric Acid and other medium chain saturated fats beneficial for the body. Its mild and sweet aroma does not overpower your cooking, and a delicately smooth texture once melted. Coconut oil can be used in a variety of ways: in your cooking and baking, to moisturise hair and skin, as a natural make-up remover, and as a shaving balm or moisturiser for babies. See Dr Deb’s extra details on this fantastic product!
Coconut Merchant’s snack-sized coconut chips are simply made and 100% natural! With only three ingredients: fresh coconut, cane sugar, and salt, these baked coconut chips are slightly sweet, and just as light, fresh, and delicious as you would expect. They are perfect for a quick snack on the go, at school or at work, and packaged in a convenient resealable packet. Full of natural goodness, these premium quality coconut chips are perfect on their own – or washed down with coconut water!
A really interesting little product to pep up many a mealtime. All the caviar flavours go well with cream cheese and crackers/bagels. They also add a unique twist on a cheeseboard instead of a chutney. Choose the green and red and you’re talking sushi and oriental food enhancers. The main benefits are that this product is 100% vegan and vegetarian, gluten free and GMO free. The red and black are also Kosher certified. And just between us, there are more flavours coming soon … yuzu lime style pearls (yellow) and truffle flavoured pearls. Outstanding!
Turmeric has a peppery, warm and bitter flavour and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger, and while it is best known as one of the ingredients used to make curry, it also gives ballpark mustard its bright yellow colour. Spice Kitchen source the freshest spices from around the world, hand-blend, hand-roast and hand-grind them to authentic recipes, and send them fresh to customers to order. This versatile spice can be integrated into your diet in more ways than you’d expect and make sure you check out Dr Deb’s blog post for fuller information.
The Cacao & Cricket Flour Crobar is a revolutionary natural energy bar, containing cricket flour, as well as nuts, seeds and fruit. Cacao & Cricket Flour: Who doesn’t love the flavour of chocolate … or crickets for that matter? The first Crobar combines dates, cashews, goji berries, chia seeds and of course cricket flour, in a delicious combination of goodness. High in fiber and filled with antioxidants as well as healthy omega 3 fatty acids, this bar is an instant crowd pleaser, perfect for pre and post workouts. Get the guns out!
Like many food business stories it all began with a drunken conversation in the pub pondering a question. In this case – what would be the perfect and most delicious snack to accompany the recently ordered pint of real ale AND glass of red Bordeaux? Several discarded packets of crisps, scratchings and nuts later the boys agreed that something more ‘serious’ was required and Serious Pig was born the very next day! Snackingham is not a village in Hampshire, it’s a snack revelation! Finest British pork is infused with a special blend of herbs and spices, cured and air-dried in the traditional way before being sliced to produce a seriously tasty bite sized snack. High in protein and low in fat, Snackingham is perfect for anyone seeking a healthier savoury snack or on the contrary also ideal for sharing over a few drinks.
Every now and then you come across a product that is simple in its concept yet stunning in its delivery. And Smoked Sugar is just that. Handcrafted in Scotland by a kilted Highlander, Smoky Brae Smoked Sugar is lovingly cold smoked, low and slow, using a secret blend of hardwoods to achieve a unique rich full bodied smoky flavour to compliment cocktails, cooking and confection. The demerara cane sugar produces sweet caramel flavours and is the perfect example of ‘everyday man turning producer’ and dedicating time to his craft. Great for cocktails, cakes, syrup, desserts, BBQ, for sweets, meat rubs, cookies, coffee …… the list goes on. More recipes to come on the blog including a pancetta curing recipe written and provided by Steven Lamb from River Cottage.
Another brilliant producer story, Louola’s was founded just a few months ago by a 22 year old nutritional therapy student with an addiction to cereals. The ‘hidden sugars’ in your typical breakfast cereal are shocking so after embarking on a paleo challenge she created her own. Her raw superfood mix provides a nutritious mix of nuts, seeds and freeze-dried fruit packed with all those vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The perfect addition to your breakfast or snacked on to provide an afternoon energy boost!
Thanks to many dinner parties at the Soffle’s residence, and a lightbulb moment whilst heading to the local shops looking for snacks during one such party, the idea for Soffle’s Pitta Chips was born. A genius combination of pitta together with olive oil, salt and pepper just so happens to make for a very tasty oven roasted snack. Pedaling the streets of London the chips hit the pubs to be close to their best friend BEER! Since then they have made many new friends .. hummus, soup, tzatziki and can now be enjoyed by you at home. Once you’ve tasted the pitta chip you will only want more.
Founded in 2012, Themptation sprung out of a love of food, organic & natural ingredients, and sustainable living. Working from their base in North-East London Tom and Nikki create a wide range of food all made with hemp seeds, oil or flour. They regularly trade at markets across London. These Snack Bars contain 5 types of seeds for a delicious nutty flavour and health benefits of all the seeds. Using mainly honey to sweeten them, they really are excellent with a cup of tea or for a mid-morning snack.
Launched in 2014 by founder, Chika Russell, who decided to give up a career in finance to follow her passion. Starting a food business inspired by the recipes and ingredients of her childhood in Nigeria, she set out to create something that was defined by more than just delicious products. Her main motivation behind the business was to promote the culture and foods of West Africa, creating an edible experience that would take people on a journey to a beautiful and exotic part of the world that is incredibly close to her heart. Plantain is West Africa’s answer to the humble potato – just as versatile but much tastier.
And so that makes a fitting place to pause our journey through food. From the sandy shores of the east, to the shivering shores of the UK, with a few locations in between – we’ve given you a few new tastes and treats to think about. And of course they’re all available to order on the BoroughBox Marketplace.
If you’re not already a subscriber to the artisan food box, make sure you visit our discovery club website and get on board. You still have time to catch this box! And don’t forget to watch this space for Dr Deb’s seriously interesting blog posts.
Until the next time enjoy the products and remember to live by these simple rules;
Good food. Good health. Good fun.
Andy (Founder)
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