insideKENT Magazine Issue 35 - February 2015 | Page 66
FOOD+DRINK
ARE YOU A LOVER OF ALL THINGS
KENTISH?
Do you recognise
this logo?
I expect many of you
have seen this little
green logo when you
are shopping in some
of Kent’s
independent shops.
It appears on a wide
range of Kent food,
drink, and artisan
products, and
signifies that the business is both based in Kent
and is a member of Produced in Kent.
What is Produced in Kent?
Produced in Kent is your county food group,
promoting and marketing Kent farmers,
businesses, and their produce and products.
We are fortunate that the Garden of England
produces some fabulous products that are for
sale countywide. Check out Produced in Kent's
online web directory, or if you would like to receive
its quarterly newsletter, sign up at
www.producedinkent.co.uk.
So, what can I tell you about?
There has been a real explosion on the beer and
cider front, not to mention the influx in micro
pubs springing up all over the place. From
microbreweries to Shepherd Neame (the
country’s oldest brewery), Kent boasts over 30
breweries, each producing a variety of different
ales to suit all palettes. Sale of British beer has
trebled in recent years, and the county is even
exporting to Belgium these days!
are not short of new ideas and flavours, so watch
this space.
Kent also has a vibrant cider industry and cider
generally is enjoying a revival. Did you know cider
is the UK’s oldest alcoholic drink? Cider is
available made from apples or pears (pear cider)
and many of the cider makers add other flavours
such as elderflower or cherry to name just two.
Of course, these products can all be purchased
in the range of independent retailers and delis
across the county, at local farmers' markets, and
even online. They are also available in many of
the county’s pubs and restaurants too. Kent has
a great choice of such hostelries serving some
lovely Kentish produce and shouting about it too.
Wine is of course very much on the radar, with
a growth in vineyards across the county in recent
years and worldwide recognition
The Kent landscape is well suited to white wine
and sparkling wine in particular, with several new
vineyards being planted and continued worldwide
recognition and numerous awards. The range of
apple juice varieties produced by many of the
farmers in Kent is renowned. A varietal apple
juice can go from sweet to very dry depending
upon your preference; they are so different from
the blends you can buy in a supermarket.
Kent enjoys a fabulous cheese board across the
county with several award-winning cheesemakers
to choose between. There are sever al gorgeous
hard cheeses including farmhouse, mature,
smoked, unsmoked, creamy, and crumbly – a
variety to suit all taste buds. In addition, there
are some lovely blue cheeses, and not forgetting,
of course, some wonderful goats' cheeses. The
county also has its own versions of award-winning
brie and camembert. The county's cheesemakers
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Many of you voted for your favourites as part of
the Taste of Kent Awards, and the winners will
be announced at the annual awards dinner in
mid-March. It is going to be a very exciting time
of year for all of the businesses that are in the
running as one of the top three nominees. For
further details, visit
www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk.
MAKE 2015 YOUR YEAR TO SUPPORT
KENT and GO LOCAL! #KeepitKentish