Heading to the Farm Shop & Deli show at the NEC yesterday, I didn't really know what to expect. Being a foodie, it was never going to be a wasted journey (especially with all those tasty free samples) but just how many incredible Norfolk businesses I met in that exhibition hall is still blowing my mind and making me so unbelievably happy.
Norfolk has been on the foodie scene for a long time now when it comes to award winning incredible pubs and restaurants and nationally acclaimed raw ingredients like Norfolk asparagus, turkey and crab. It seems quietly, in the background though, the Norfolk food and drink manufacturing sector has been steaming ahead with new incredible founders and products popping up which are now creating a BIG noise on the market (and at the show yesterday at the NEC). So much so, that Norfolk (together with Suffolk) had their own section to the Exhibition. A whole section dedicated to the incredible makers of insanely good Norfolk based food and drink products that I know will knock your socks off.
We're in a cost of living crisis right now and sadly lots of small, local businesses are suffering because of that. Lots are even feeling the pinch so much that they're having to close their doors for good. After meeting so many incredible Norfolk brands yesterday and knowing the amazing Farm Shops and Delis that they're stocked in, this is my plea to you:
Spend that slight bit more and shop local where you can. Yes, it's the right thing to do and it keeps our incredible artisan community of businesses alive, but trust me....these drinks, bakes, condiments, confectionary, pastas, porridges and health foods are way better than anything you'll ever find in the supermarkets. WAY BETTER and they're worth ever penny!
Here's our list of the incredible Norfolk food and drink brands we found yesterday. Look them up, see where they're stocked and get exploring the incredible world of locally founded and manufactured food and drink products...you won't be disappointed!
Alcoholic Beverages
Barsham Brewery - growing their own Maris Otter barley to make beautifully brewed, honest beers.
Black Shuck Distillery - a family founded and run local distillery that produces a wide selection of gins, rums, vodkas and liqueurs all featuring the iconic Black Shuck logo designed by one of their daughters. According to folklore, a huge black dog with flaming red eyes roamed Norfolk's coastal paths and country lanes for centuries that was called the "Black Shuck" - you can read all about the legend on their website.
Downham Cider - Downham Cider is an award-winning Norfolk cider made from 100% pressed juice.
Home Farm Gin - Award winning gin crafted in Norfolk using natural ingredients and their own pure Norfolk water.
Panther Brewery - Brewing sleek, modern and full flavour real ales (twelve breeds) in bottles and casks.
St Giles Gin Distillery - A proudly independent, Norfolk-based producer of exceptional, multi award-winning gins.
Walnut Tree Distillery - Farm-crafted, award-winning gins and bespoke wedding favours and gifts.
Wildcraft Brewery - Exciting, flavoursome and sustainable craft beers and traditional real ales.
Wild Knight Distillery - A Norfolk-based drinks company, specialising in ultra-premium English spirits.
Woodforde's Brewery - A range of award winning cask ales, local ciders, lagers and craft beer.
Bakery
Brownie and The Bean Bakery - wholesale bakery delivering excellent quality, handmade cakes and delivery across the UK.
Crumpetorium - Handmade, small batch, artisan crumpets in fabulously unique flavours and sustainable packaging.
Condiments, Preserves and Seasonings
Candi's Cupboard - One of Norfolk's finest chutney and sauce producers, with a wider range of chutneys, sauces and relishes on offer.
Hot Star Honey - Chilli honey sauces to drizzle on your favourite foods like pizza, chicken and stir fires.
JUX - launching this spring, JUX is a sustainable brand that will be creating nutrient and flavour-rich super-seasonings that last for years.
Leigh's Bees - Every jar of honey is just how the bees created it. Their hives (which have webcams on them so you can watch the bees at work live!!) are placed so the bees forage a specific range of nectar (for instance sea lavender from the salt marshes of the North Norfolk coast) so each different honey has it's own unique taste!
Little Green Larder - James, marmalades, curd and chutneys. Picked locally and made by hand in Martham.
Nyom - the founders of Holt's Poke Nom have launched a new sauce range, including Korean barbecue, sesame soy and sriracha mayonnaise.
Old Rectory Preserves - Award-winning artisan preserves, marmalade and chutneys, made in Norfolk using predominantly local ingredients.
Simon's Table - Rich, dark and tangy marmalade, marmalade liqueur, melt-in-the-mouth shortbreads and cheesejacks.
Confectionery
Gnaw - From a sweet shop in the centre of Norwich to now being a hugely well known chocolate brand with sustainability at its heart.
Harris and James Chocolate - luxury chocolate and coffee using the best quality beans in the most sustainable way and available to buy online or through stockists, or enjoy in one of their 7 stores across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Maldon Chocolates - Handmade, finest quality chocolates and products.
Sweet Smiles of Norfolk - A truly family orientated business, creating individual, delicious, traditional and contemporary sweet mix pouches.
Frozen Foods
Farmyard Frozen - Frozen food for foodies, handmade by chefs from award-winning restaurants. Restaurant standard meals on tap!
Ronaldo Ices - luxury Norfolk dairy ice cream makers, manufacturing the finest quality ice cream, and sorbet using fresh, local ingredients.
Smarter Naturally - Science - backed food with real health benefits - a new approach to help prevent chronic diseases.
Meat and Poultry
Morton's Family Farm - farm fresh, free range turkeys for Christmas, grown in Norfolk.
Fruit Pig Butchery - fresh blood black puddings being used by top chefs up and down the country, available to buy online or through LOTS of local Norfolk suppliers (and restaurants).
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Etude - Small-batch speciality coffee roastery, founded by a world coffee judge and barista trainer.
Grumpy Panda - Bagged Norfolk roasted coffee, artisan hot chocolate and loose tea leaves.
Javabean - Speciality coffee with unique Norfolk inspired flavours
Oichi Kombucha - artisan kombucha brewed in small batches using fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Pasta
Waveney Mill Pasta - Producers of premium British pasta, traditionally made using bronze dies and durum wheat for the ultimate in texture and flavour.
Snacks
Cheeky Nibble - vegan, gluten free and nut free snackable granola in the most amazing range of flavours.
We've got some lovely long weekends coming up; perfect for strolling local Farm Shops and Delis. Make sure you keep an eye out for these amazing Norfolk brands and give them a try. Each and everyone one of them are delicious!
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