This
is where I like to share with you my new kitchen discoveries.
I have quite a lot to share this month as I visited St Andrew's Fine Food Fayre with a few of my friends. including Stuart (cakeyboi) and we did go a bit spend crazy. The fayre is in it's third year and there were 50 exhibitors selling
local, healthy and organic food. To be honest, it was a bit packed, but we had a fun day.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations and do let me know if
you have any new products you have discovered and enjoyed.
This is glorious stuff. A pure rhubarb hit. This is a cordial made by Pickled in Scotland. I picked it up at the food fayre. I tried it straight and there is no way after trying it that way that I would dilute it. It is heavenly.
The lovely lady that makes this cordial also makes fruit cheeses. Unfortunately she doesn't have a website and you can only pick this up at food events in Scotland and some local suppliers. If you are interested in trying some you can get in touch with Danya via twitter.
@pickled_in_scot
St Andrews Fine Food Fayre
RRP depends on the current offer
Score 10/10
Score 10/10

These spice drops are the latest thing in spices. They are the concentrated extracts of natural spices which keep the flavour of the whole spices and herbs, but can be added without adding texture.
The other great thing about them is they keep for 3 years after opening. I've been adding the garam masala drops to dal and burgers.
I like fresh spices, but what I will be doing is buying more of these little bottles of the spices I don't use so often, because these little bottles will keep longer than the spices, so it makes sense.
RRP £3 for the Garam Masala
Score 9/10
3. Thistly Cross Cider
This is lovely stuff. I picked it up at the fayre, but have since discovered one of my favourite pubs in Dundee has it on tap. Result!
On draft they have the original, but if I was buying it by bottle, I would go for the Whisky Cask or Strawberry.
The Whisky Cask is matured in ex-Glenglassaugh distillery casks and the flavour really comes through.
The Strawberry is made from freshly crushed Scottish Strawberries that they grow themselves. It actually tastes like crushed strawberries. It's divine. Slurp!
This is now my cider of choice. Check out the website to find out where you can buy it local to you.
St Andrews Fine Food Fayre
RRP 12 x 500ml strawberry cider £42.94
RRP 12 x 500ml Whisky Cask £33.97
Score 10/10
RRP 12 x 500ml Whisky Cask £33.97
Score 10/10
4. MaRoberts Pili Pili Sauce
Another new Scottish product from my trip to the fayre. This time a hot pili plil sauce. MaRobert's was established by Maggie Mazoleka, who’s is originally from Tanzania, but has lived in Edinburgh for the last 19 years. She makes three authentic East African sauces (Fruity, Mild Chilli and Hot Chilli).
I bought some of the mild sauce, which still has a kick to it. It would be great for dips or topping burgers, but I am thinking of marinating tofu in it.
MaRoberts is sold in Markets in and near Edinburgh.
St Andrews Fine Food Fayre
RRP ?
Score 8/10RRP ?
5. Cranachan Fudge
The Wee Fudge Company certainly know their fudge. It was all delicious and it turned out that Stuart actually knew the owners. Scotland really is a small place.
I was very restrained and only bought one bag. I went for the Cranachan. The flavours in it were very fresh and distinct. You could really taste the cream and the raspberries. They use fresh local fruit in their fudge and you could taste the difference.
They make a range of flavours and are constantly adding new flavours. You can buy fudge directly from their website.
St Andrews Fine Food Fayre
RRP 100g bag £2.50
Score 10/10 RRP 100g bag £2.50
6. Shaken Udder Milkshakes
Cooper has been loving these milkshakes in his packed lunch.
They are made with pure milk and fresh strawberries, fresh banana and Belgium chocolate, without any hidden nasties. I'm more than happy for him to drink these and he says they taste great.
He also gives them full marks and a double thumb up.
Cooper's Score 10/10
7. Eden Brewery - Rum Barrel Beer
We got rather tipsy sampling beer from the Eden Brewery. Especially as we were given a generous pouring of their Shipwreck IPA, which is rather strong and could know you off your feet.
I preferred their Rum Barrel Beer, which is brewed in, yes you guessed it, rum barrels. You can really taste it in the beer. I don't drink beer very often, but I did enjoy this.
Eden Brewery is a small brewery based in St Andrews that specialise in craft beers. They just have 7 staff, but produce 14 different beers that fall into 3 ranges: Craft range, Oak Wood Series and Aristeuein beers.
RRP £2.50
Score 9/10

8. Gusto Balsamic Vinegar
I do love balsamic vinegar. I drizzle it over dishes, make my favourite dressing with it and team it with olive oil, then dunk crusty bread in it.
Gusto hand make flavoured dressings, vinegars and oils using local Scottish ingredients. Their balsamic vinegars come from Modena in Italy and are then infused with flavour.
I bought the raspberry and roast garlic and they are both lip-smackingly good. Unfortunately my raspberry balsamic (made with fresh Scottish Raspberries) jumped from my cupboard, when I opened it one day and smashed across the kitchen before I had the chance to enjoy much of it.
Score 9/10

8. Gusto Balsamic Vinegar
I do love balsamic vinegar. I drizzle it over dishes, make my favourite dressing with it and team it with olive oil, then dunk crusty bread in it.
Gusto hand make flavoured dressings, vinegars and oils using local Scottish ingredients. Their balsamic vinegars come from Modena in Italy and are then infused with flavour.
I bought the raspberry and roast garlic and they are both lip-smackingly good. Unfortunately my raspberry balsamic (made with fresh Scottish Raspberries) jumped from my cupboard, when I opened it one day and smashed across the kitchen before I had the chance to enjoy much of it.
St Andrews Fine Food Fayre
RRP depends on offer
Score 10/10 RRP depends on offer
And a special shout out to Metcalfe's Skinny Topcorn for sending me out another box of their fabulous popcorn. I am still wild for the Sweet 'n Salt, so now I just have to persuade them to send me out a whole box of that!
"Metcalfe’s skinny's Sweet ‘n Salt Topcorn is freshly popped butterfly popcorn with a sweet/salt flavour mix that’s incredibly more-ish. A healthy popcorn snack that's perfect for the indecisive! With only 115 calories per bag, it's a delicious and low calorie alternative to crisps."
Thanks to Spice Drops, Shaken Udder and Metcalfes for sending me their products to try.
Have you tried any new products lately? Are there any you would like to recommend?
Disclosure: I was not expected to write a positive review for any of the brands who sent me products to try and any opinions expressed are were my own.
You folks seem to have the most fantastic products, I wish I could find these things in the states! Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary :)
DeleteRoast garlic balsamic sounds great!
ReplyDeleteIt's delicious and there is actually garlic in the bottom, so when the vinegar is finished you can add the garlic to a dish and it has so much flavour.
DeleteI am intrigued by those spice drops. I've never heard of anything like them!
ReplyDeleteI know, they are such a good idea. I think I may go for the mint next.
DeleteHi Urvashi - if you want to try our Spice Drops use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off! Thanks, Gouri
DeleteAm intrigued by those spice drops. Have never heard of anything like them before.
ReplyDeleteLovely round up Jac. That Rhubarb syrup sounds lush, I might try and make my own!
ReplyDeleteOh it was Janice and that is a great idea. I am longing for some rhubarb.
DeleteOh that rhubarb cordial looks fantastic - love the colour. Like the idea of cranachan flavoured fudge. As it happens, I've just this minute posted a review of some Cornish raspberry fudge. Sounds like you had a good day out - hooray :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun Choclette. Lot of sampling and we all went to a Thai restaurant for lunch.
DeleteA lovely list of goodies!
ReplyDeleteI know, it was a yummy lot!
DeleteI liked the look of the rhubarb cordial and the spice drops best. Maybe I'll try and make some cordial when we get our rhubarb this year- always on the lookout for new things to make with it... I've not tried anything new myself lately unless you include the cake pop maker I got for my birthday, which I am now using to make anything but cake pops (think mini baked versions of fried foods like pakoras and falafels...) Thanks for a really interesting post :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a cake pop maker. Inspired!
DeleteHi Jacqueline, thank you for the great feedback. So pleased that you enjoyed using our Spice Drops®!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sending me some to try. The drops are such a good idea and so versatile.
DeleteLovely selection there, and some good local products and small producers. The spice drops do look very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThey are good Helen. It was nice to promote some small local companies too for a change.
DeleteHi Helen, if you wish to try our Spice Drops use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off!
DeleteJ, you have such fun finds. I would love to try the balsamic vinegar and the popcorn.
ReplyDeleteI know, I really had a good haul this month. The food fayre was a great place for new finds.
DeleteFantastic round up of products. I have my eye on the roast garlic balsamic and am intrigued by these spice drops. Do they taste just as good as ground spices?
ReplyDeleteI think they do Tina. It's a great idea, isn't it?
DeleteHi Tina - if you wish to try our Spice Drops please use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off!
DeleteWhat a fabulous selection of stuff you've been trying out Jac. I'd definitely love the rhubarb cordial and be slurping it into a glass of prosecco of an evening!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that would be wonderful Katie!
DeleteGreat post! I love the look of the spice drops and the popcorn :) Ooh, and the balsamic - I am obsessed with balsamic vinegar so always looking to try new ones :)
ReplyDeleteI can understand why. Balsamic is such yummy stuff.
DeleteHi Natalie - if you wish to try our Spice Drops please use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off!
DeleteI like the shaken udder packaging... will look out for those!
ReplyDeleteCooper loved them.
DeleteThe spice drops sound like a great idea and the rhubarb cordial really delicious. Great for cocktails. A lovely look at some original product. GG
ReplyDeleteThanks GG and yes they were a good bunch.
DeleteHi GG - if you wish to try our Spice Drops please use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off!
DeleteOooh, roast garlic balsamic? Need to get me some of that!
ReplyDeleteJanie x
It's tasty stuff, as was the raspberry one that met a sad end.
DeleteSpice drops? Never heard of it, looks fun ;) Will look for it in the shops ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia - if you wish to try our Spice Drops please use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off!
DeleteWow spice drops, that I must try. And rhubarb cordial, that must be gorgeous,could even addd it into a crumble I bet. What a lot of goodies in your kitchen this month!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura - if you wish to try our Spice Drops please use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off!
DeleteSome great products there Jac and I'm betting you had lots of fun testing them all out! The spice drops sounds really very inspired, what a great idea especially if they do hold their flavour for 3 years. I'm going to look out for the Shaken Udder milkshakes for my two too, good that there's something out there with all natural ingredients.
ReplyDeleteHi Lou - if you wish to try our Spice Drops please use discount code "SpiceDrops141" at checkout to get a 20% off! www.holylamaspicedrops.com
DeleteI keep getting the popcorn too, I really need to do one of these round up! As above I love the look of the rhubarb cordial and the cranachan fudge!
ReplyDeleteI quite like putting them all together, so people can browse.
DeleteI am loving the sound of the balsamic.
ReplyDeleteIt was really good Dannii :)
Deletemmmmmm cranachan fudge - that sounds amazing - as does everything - st andrew's food fayre sounds fun
ReplyDeleteIt was fun Johanna, you would have enjoyed it.
Delete