Samphire Smallholding Open Day In Pictures

Having spent the day at Samphire's Norfolk smallholding a couple of years ago we had to return this year (2012) for another wonderful day.

In addition to the animals on the farm, there were stall holders selling home produced wares and lots of delicious food to buy and eat. You can read our preview article about it here.

To find out more about Samphire visit their page on 
The Artisan Food Trail here

The Pylewell Park Food & Lifestyle Festival: >>>> 21st – 22nd July 2012

The Pylewell Park Food & Lifestyle Festival is on this weekend,
21st – 22nd July 2012.
Set in the grounds of the magnificent country estate of Pylewell Park, the 80 acre showground boasts probably one of the best views in the country looking down to the Solent and across to the Isle of Wight, with the back drop of Pylewell House and its 17th Century origins.

This year's festival will feature BBC1 Saturday Kitchen Chef Adam Byatt's Award Winning Restaurant, Trinity.

Other features to delight the taste buds include:
• International Food Arena
• Wine Tasting
• Champagne Bar
• Real Ale
• Cookery Theatre including demonstrations by Adam Byatt, Douglas Santi, James Golding and Mrs Tee

…And for your entertainment:
• Traditional fairground rides including a big wheel and a beautiful carousel
• Live Music

…And the best part? Several AFT producers are listed as attending:

Edible Ornamentals – Passionate, slightly obsessive chilli growers from Bedfordshire.

David's Chilli Oil – A rich, exotic, healthy and intensely flavoured chilli oil perfect for drizzling over food, cooking, marinating and dipping. Made with quality produce from the Cotswolds.

Alan Coxon – A unique multi award winning historic food range consisting of an Old English Ale-Gar, a Roman Vinegar and an Ancient Greek Vinegar from TV celebrity chef and food archaeologist, Alan Coxon.

A last minute addition to the producer list is:

The Artisan Smokehouse – A small family run and owned smokehouse on the Suffolk coast producing award-winning smoked food, made in small quantities to ensure quality and freshness.


For more information about the event visit the website: newforestfoodfairs.co.uk

A Cherry on Top for National Cherry Day

Photo: © childsdesign

When travelling around Britain it is not difficult to notice that the word orchard is synonymous with many roads, avenues, views, places etc., but the most unnerving thing is that these locations do not lead to vast collections of fruit trees, but instead they are occupied by housing developments.
Once, Britain was covered with acres of majestic cherry trees, but these have given way to our burgeoning population and they’ve also suffered losses due to the Second World War that demanded other types of food production to be implemented to save our country from starvation, not to mention the further collapse of the cherry growing industry due to foreign imports.

Growers are being encouraged to reinstate the great British cherry by planting up new orchards with old varieties and with National Cherry Day on 16th July we should all be buying and using British cherries.

Are cherries native to Britain?
Wild cherries (Prunus avium) have been eaten in Britain since prehistoric times. The Romans had a particular taste for them too and it is said that it’s possible to trace the route of ancient roads by the cherry trees growing there. Romans marching through Britain would munch on cherries, spitting out the stones as they went, and new trees grew as a result.

It seems there are many theories about how the cherry came to Britain, its origins beginning in the area between the Black and Caspian Seas of Asia Minor and suggestions that birds consuming the fruit would have deposited the pips in their droppings over Europe.

Photo: © childsdesign

History and cultivation
Cultivation probably began with the ancient Greeks and perpetuated by the Romans, where it was believed to be an essential part of the Legionnaires’ diets.
During the Middle Ages cherries were a common sight in gardens and were sold in street markets, however, at this time, Europe was still the main source of the fruit, where the climate afforded a more plentiful crop.

It wasn’t until the sixteenth century that heavier cultivation took place, Kent becoming the centre of Britain’s fruit growing due to good transport links to London’s markets and the connection with growers and gardeners across the Channel.

It was customary to cultivate cherry trees as tall standards with grass beneath. The orchards would be grazed by sheep. Until the twentieth century rootstocks were obtained from the wild cherry which produced towering trees, requiring long ladders to pick the fruit. Climbing so high was not always appealing as well as dangerous so producers began experimenting with less vigorous rootstocks to produce shorter trees but still giving a high fruit yield.

The science bit (sort of)
As with most fresh fruit it is not surprising to know that cherries are good for us. Cherries contain anthocyanins, the compound that makes them red. Anthocyanins have been shown to have antioxidant properties, which can guard against certain cancers and diabetes. Other studies have shown that cherries can also help to ease the pain of arthritis, fight memory loss, lower cholesterol and help our sleep patterns. And to top it all they contain 20 times more beta carotene than blueberries.

Cherries do pack a lot of goodness but they also contain cyanide. Our bodies are able to break down the small quantites that the fruit contain, so there’s no need for concern. The toxin is greatly concentrated in the pips, but if one or two were swallowed, no harm would occur as they’re unlikely to be broken down enough in the digestive system.

What is the best way to serve them?
When the cherries are red, shiny and fully ripe and in their prime, then eat them as they are. They need no accompaniment, just simply plucked from the bowl and enjoyed at their natural best.

Cherry and Goat's Cheese Salad.
Recipe here

Desserts, are of course, one of the most-fitting ways to use them, most obviously pies and tarts or the clafoutis a French dish where marinated cherries are cooked in a rich batter. Cherries are also a perfect partner to chocolate too.
They can be made into a traditional sauce for duck or game, and they ideally complement soft white cheeses as well.
Try them with Smoked Duck from The Artisan Smokehouse.

Womersley Fruit and Herb Vinegars make a Cherry Vinegar which they say is a heavenly match for Italian cuisine. It can be married with Parma Ham, grilled scallops and mozzarella salads, or united with desserts that have lashings of chocolate, mascarpone and ice-cream. The robust character makes it good to add to sauces for duck and turkey, or teamed with sparkling wine for a vivid aperitif.

Cherry picks

Some interesting and fun facts about cherries

:: Charles V of France loved cherries so much, he planted more than 1000 trees in his garden.

:: Hot cherry stones were used in bed pans to warm beds.

:: The word ‘cherry’ comes from the French word ‘cerise,’ which in turn comes from the Latin words cerasum and Cerasus, the classical name of the modern city Giresun in Turkey.

:: Cherries are drupes, or stone fruits, and are related to plums, peaches and nectarines.

:: The world's heaviest cherry was grown by Gerardo Maggipinto (Italy) and weighed 21.69 g on June 21, 2003. The cherry was presented at La Grande Ciliegia, in Sammichele di Bari, Italy.

:: In Japan, the cherry symbolises the brevity of life. The saying goes ‘The cherry is among flowers as the samurai is among men’.

:: If you dream of cherries...

Ripe cherries off the tree mean success and happiness .

Eating cherries means possession of something desired
.

A cherry tree is an omen of good fortune.

:: The name for cherry liqueur – Kirsch – comes from the Mesopotamian karshu, the word for the first cultivated cherries in Mesopotamia in 8BC.

:: Shakespeare used cherries as a symbol of love and romance in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

:: A posh pudding in country houses a couple of centuries ago was to have small cherry trees grown in pots and brought to the table with the fruit still hanging on the branch.

::UPDATED:: Samphire Smallholding Open Day: July 15th 2012

After a break last year, Samphire is set to open its gates again on Sunday 15th July 2012 for their Open Day.
Before The Artisan Food Trail was born, we paid a visit in 2010 and had a very enjoyable day.


NOTE: We've now added a slideshow of pictures from the event which can be viewed here

The open day is a well organised and friendly affair offering visitors the chance to savour a relaxing day of food, arts & crafts, education and entertainment.

There will be number of local producers selling everything from preserves to beer and even hand made dog treats!  One of the preserve makers will be Peachey's Preserves, another food trail member. It's a great opportunity to chat with them about what they do and hopefully stock up on their lovely hand crafted products. And of course Samphire will have a stall selling their fine rare breed pork pies and sausages plus more besides.

If you fancy keeping livestock yourself there will be some interesting organisations there, including a better hen rescue centre and local beekeepers who will be on hand to answer your questions. Last time Karen, Samphire's owner, gave a very interesting tour and talk on her pigs, so no doubt it will be on the timetable again.

To give you an idea of what to expect, Karen's Pinterest board here will show you the flavour of the day and judging by the growing number of pictures, the event looks like it will be an interesting and colourful affair. We can't wait to see Samphire's newest collection of fancy poultry.

Providing the soundtrack to the day and back by popular demand are the fabulous Rum Kelter. So many people loved their lively set of traditional folk music when they played at the last Open Day.

To keep you sustained and refreshed there will be food and drink, straw bales to sit on, tables and chairs laid out under the trees and tours around the smallholding.

The Open Day will take place from 11am until 4pm
on Sunday 15th July 2012
at Sycamore Farm,
Pristow Green Lane,
Tibenham,
Norfolk,
NR16 1PU

For more information about Samphire and location please visit their page on The Artisan Food Trail here


Where is the event?

View AFT_Samphire in a larger map

Where to go this weekend for fine food

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

3rd – 8th July 2012
In addition to the usual garden displays, this year the event has added a new section – Great Tastes Market and Artisan Food.
Featuring award-winning food and drink producers from Great Taste, the market offers visitors the chance to taste and buy from these artisan producers. Come and talk to the makers and hear first hand how it’s made and how you can you enjoy it.

The Artisan Food trail producers that will be at this event are:

Fudge Kitchen

Handmade luxury fudge hand-crafted to a special recipe for 25 years using traditional methods and a lot of love.

For more information about the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show visit the website

Taste of Edinburgh

6th – 8th July 2012
Each year Taste of Edinburgh brings together not just restaurants and food and wine suppliers, but a line-up of innovative and interactive programmes on cooking and eating as well as a producers' market.

The Artisan Food trail producer that will be at this event is:

Trotter's Independent Condiments

Purveyor of unusual, delicious and seasonal condiments based in Fife. Mr. Trotter says “my condiments are the finest and most tasty in all the land, but I am biased so don’t take my word for it, find out for yourself”

For more information about Taste of Edinburgh visit the website

Dorset Seafood Festival

7th – 8th July 2012
Weymouth harbour is the perfect backdrop to the annual Dorset Seafood Festival. With over 80 stalls, mouth-watering seafood menus, celebrity chefs, Pommery champagne, local ales and a fabulous atmosphere, the festival also raises money for The Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen.

The Artisan Food trail producers that will be at this event are:

Womersley Fruit & Herb Vinegars

Yorkshire artisan maker of fine fruit vinegars and herb jellies. Balanced recipes allow maximum versatility in the kitchen ensuring that the true aromas of all the flavours shine through.

Filbert's Fine Foods

Producers of amazing award winning hot air roasted nut snacks – made with 100% natural ingredients and each with their own unique flavour twist.

For more information about the Dorset Seafood Festival visit the website

North East Chilli Fest

7th – 8th July 2012
The UK's hottest chilli producers will be heading to the north east this for this event. You will be able to feast your eyes on hot chilli sauces, pickles, chutneys, oils and more. Plus pick up great UK-grown chillies too.
There will be lots to do, including food to go, picnic areas, great music, family activities and more. And of course you get to see the magnificent grounds of Seaton Delaval Hall.

The Artisan Food trail producers that will be at this event are:

Edible Ornamentals

Situated in Chawston, Bedfordshire where market gardens are abundant and growing delicious vegetables is simply a way of life. Passionate, slightly obsessive chilli growers.

David's Chilli Oil

A rich, exotic, healthy and intensely flavoured chilli oil perfect for drizzling over food, cooking, marinating and dipping. Made with quality produce from the Cotswolds.

For more information about the NE Chilli Fest visit the website

Heveningham Country Fair

8th July 2012
Heveningham Hall is an 18th century estate set in the heart of Suffolk. The Fair has been running for 15 years and last year over 10,000 people attended. All proceeds go to charity and there is something for everyone.
The Country Fair always has a wonderful selection of food and drink for you to buy and take home. The producers at the Fair all supply the finest quality local or home made produce so you're sure to be impressed.

The Artisan Food trail producers that will be at this event are:

The Artisan Smokehouse

A small family run and owned smokehouse on the Suffolk coast producing award-winning smoked food, made in small quantities to ensure quality and freshness!

Alder Tree

Award winning ices are handmade on their fruit farm in Suffolk to a traditional family recipe. Made with only fruit, cream and sugar, they are naturally delicious.

For more information about the Heveningham Country Fair visit the website