Great Taste 3-star 2023-24

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GREAT TASTE 2 0 2 3

3-STAR GUIDE

FEATURING EVERY 3-STAR

a supplement to
PRODUCT FROM THE 2023 AWARDS
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 10 Tel 01635 744600 | www.tenutamarmorelle.com Tenuta Marmorelle is dedicated to sourcing & importing the very best Italian food products Directly from Italy - Stocked and Distributed throughout the UK PROUDLY INTRODUCING OUR GREAT TASTE 3-STAR AWARD-WINNING PANETTONE INFUSED WITH VIN SANTO LIQUEUR 2023 Golden Fork Nominee “A truly extraordinary cake that delivers on every level. Utterly divine.” GT Judge “Rich, buttery, luxurious and truly sublime.” GT Judge

WELCOME DID YOU KNOW?

From the 14,195 products entered into Great Taste 2023, just 248 items gained a coveted 3-star award. That’s a mere 1.8% of the overall intake and it shows just how hard it is to make the top grade.

As always, Great Taste was on a mission to discover the best food & drink, not just in the UK but across the entire globe.

Although it is expanding geographically, the robust process remains unchanged. No product leaves the judging room without being blind-tasted by multiple palates. And, in 2023, this thorough method required 89 days-worth of judging sessions to tackle a record number 14,195. Some 500 judges were required – including food critics, chefs and retail buyers – for this enormous task.

And now, the results are in. In total, 4,088 products were awarded a 1-star and 1,568 products won 2-stars. But just 248 items earned the coveted 3-star award. That last bracket is the focus of this publication, and you can read more about each one, and what the judges thought about them, right here.

For more about the Guild, Fine Food Digest and Great Taste, just visit gff.co.uk

WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 3
Spirits 4 Beer 5 Hot sauces 6 Condiments & ingredients 10 Soft drinks 10 Vinegar & Oils 13 Pies 14 Seasonings 14 Meat 19 Fish & Seafood 20 Confectionery 23 Charcuterie 27 Jam & Spreads 28 Coffee 32 Honey 35 Bread & Cakes 39 Cheese 40 Ice Cream 53 Tea 54 EDITORIAL editorial@gff.co.uk Editor: Michael Lane Deputy editor: Tanwen Dawn-Hiscox Art director: Mark Windsor PRINTED BY Blackmore, Dorset Listings compiled by: Lynda Searby Judges images: Sam Pelly Product images: Tim Johnston ADVERTISING advertise@gff.co.uk Sales director: Sally Coley Sales manager: Ruth Debnam Sales executives: Becky Haskett GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0)1747 825200 info@gff.co.uk www.gff.co.uk Guild of Fine Food, Guild House, 23b Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5FB UK PUBLISHED BY The Guild of Fine Food Ltd © The Guild of Fine Food Ltd 2023. Reproduction of whole or part of this magazine without the publisher’s prior permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.
2023

Whether you like a well-executed classic or cutting-edge innovation, there’s something for everyone in the 2023 line-up of Great Taste 3-star-winning food & drink. Find out more about each one of the 248 winners – including what the judges thought of them – over the course of this publication.The winners have been organised into categories – starting with the alcoholic drinks…

SPIRITS & LIQUEURS

Northmoor Barrel

Rested Navy Strength Gin

Exmoor Distillery

The judges described this 9.8% ABV traditional Scotch Ale, aged in single malt whisky casks for 18 months as “intriguing and a joy” due to its “chorus of aromas and well-balanced taste with a sweet finish.” exmoordistillery.co.uk

Aranami Strength Gin

Hidden Curiosities Gin

Citrusy yuzu and kabosu fruit, tingling sansho pepper, sour plum, shiso leaf and lavender are all evident in this Japaneseinspired “blockbuster of a gin” which is softened with a post-distillation of salted cherry blossom on the finish. hiddencuriosities.com

Fishers Original Fishers Gin

Coastal botanicals bog myrtle, rock samphire, sea purslane, spignel and wood avens transported the judges to windswept marshlands, convincing them that, with its aniseed notes and salinity, the gin would be a great candidate for sipping. fishersgin.com

Sansho Spiced Rum

The Wasabi Company

This characterful rum has nailed the elusive umami effect, thanks to double distillation from molasses in copper pots with Japanese flavours of Okinawan sugar, togarashi shichimi, white sesame, umeboshi plum and smoked soy sauce. thewasabicompany.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 4
2023

Cocoa & Dark Chocolate

Spiced Rum

Cap & Copper Distillery

The judges held this rum up as “a tribute to the multiple qualities of cocoa” thanks to its clever construction. It conveys the complex layers of flavour from each part of the cacao bean in perfect balance. capandcopperdistillery. com

Water Rat

Hibbotts Artisan Spirits

The judges were left with liquorice notes and the desire to drink a lot more after tasting this vodka. They noted light smokiness and chalky minerality on the nose, and sherbet and cream sweetness on the palate. hibbotts.co.uk

New Alt

Antur Brew Co

Prepare to be taken on a journey that passes through baked bread, roasted nuts, caramel molasses and smoke by this German Altbier, which has been modernised with UK hops and malts for an approachable darker style. anturbrew.com

Ice Breaker

Greene King

“Balanced on a knife edge” was how one judge summarised the interactions at play in this 4.5% ABV American-style pale ale, which surprised the panel with its rich, full body and long, refreshing flavour profile. greeneking.co.uk

Jackson’s Black Oyster Shell IPA

Vale Of Glamorgan Brewery

The use of oyster shells combines with the aroma of hops, chocolate and coffee to make this black IPA irresistibly quaffable. The judges admitted they could easily be tempted into drinking another. vogbrewery.co.uk

Elements of Islay

Sherry Cask

Elixir Distillers

After the initial burst of restrained sweetness, the judges enjoyed having their tastebuds “walloped” by a hit of smokiness, succeeded by dark notes of chocolate and fig and a long aftertaste of bonfire and iodine. elixirdistillers.com

Kyrö Rye Malt Whisky

Kyrö Distillery

The flavour profile of Finnish rye is enhanced via the pot distillation process to produce a whisky with earthy, cherry-like and almond notes that ticked all the judges’ boxes through its “character, definition, length and alcohol”. kyrodistillery.com

The Original

Innis and Gunn

The development of this golden beer was a voyage of discovery into the world of cask maturation for the Scottish brewery. The complex, powerful flavour produced by the whisky casks belies an unexpected ability to refresh.

innisandgunn.com

Islay Whisky Cask Beer

Innis and Gunn

Who needs a whisky chaser when they can drink this? That was one judge’s reaction to this deep, sultry brew, which has been double matured in two types of cask, packing bitter-sweet intensity in a “masterpiece of balance”. innisandgunn.com

Dark Storm Stout

Five Kingdoms Brewery

The judges thought this rich, creamy stout carried its 6.9% ABV “impeccably” by balancing its inherent richness with “the right degree of bitterness”, and confessed to being drawn in by its “enticing nose of coffee and chocolate”. fivekingdomsbrewery. com

Juan

SOULICOR

By infusing ginjas (sour cherries) with Madeira wine, this Portuguese artisan has crafted a liqueur that impressed the panel with its nose of candied cherries, marzipan and brioche, flavours of dried fruits and buttery mouthfeel.

Celtic Spirit Company

This Anglesey producer brought some festive cheer to the table with a dark and luscious looking liqueur that encapsulates

“Christmas in a glass”.

The judges praised its pronounced marzipan aroma and brandy-soaked dried fruit flavours.

celticspirit.co.uk

Stout

Three Tuns Brewery

“Everything a stout should be: old fashioned, nononsense and not messed around with,” was the panel’s summary. Fitting words for a traditional dark stout made by a brewery that dates back to the 17th century. threetunsbrewery.co.uk

Whitewater Brewing Company

Little did the judges know that they were in for a confectionery treat when they sampled this stout. Malt, muscovado sugar, golden rum, maple syrup and vanilla pods combine to produce a rich, molasses laden feast. whitewaterbrewing.com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 5
Hinch Irish Whiskey Barrel Aged Stout Sou Licor de Ginja Sousa Unp Lda
SPIRITS & LIQUEURS BEER
Christmas Pwd Liqueur

Buffalo Hot Sauce Sauce Shop

Created for chicken or cauliflower wings, this Buffalo-style hot sauce lives up to its description as “creamy, sharp and savoury”, while its “moreishness” puckers the palate for a wonderful taste experience. sauceshop.co

Mango Mazzaleen Birdhouse

The judges interpreted this colourful sauce, inspired by a love of sweet heat, as “a splendid balance of sweet and sour and spice and fun”. They also loved its fruitiness and the extra dimensions from the coconut. birdhouse.ie

Old Duppy Smoked Hot Sauce – Traditional Barbados Style

Old Duppy Foods Inc

One for those who like it hot, this fresh, vibrant sauce definitely errs on the very fiery side, with a long-lasting heat that “makes the palate sing” and marries well with the wood-smoked peppers. oldduppy.com

Balinese Jam

The Novice Kitchen

This Indonesian inspired sambal has good structure and colour, a fresh and inviting aroma, wellbalanced flavours, and an excellent texture and bite from the vegetables, making it a “store cupboard must-have”. thenovicekitchen.com

Ice Cyder

The Newt in Somerset

Ice cider is made via cryoconcentration, where the pressed juice is allowed to freeze, concentrating the sugars before fermentation. In this case, it yields a buttercup yellow dessert cider with aromas of pineapple and apple. thenewtinsomerset.com

Bangin’ Barbecue

Cork Chilli Company

The judges had fun deconstructing this sauce, detecting cinnamon, ginger, garlic and smokiness, accompanied by a warm, rounded, lingering heat. “There’s sweetness and smoke and warmth and spice and a bit of a cuddle,” they said. corkchillicompany.com

Blackman Eddy’s Opalsunshine

Featuring tamarind, balsamic vinegar and black garlic, this rich, dark sauce contrasts and blends these bold ingredients. Tangy tamarind and balsamic notes “marry beautifully,” and the tamarind is “smoothed out by the garlic”. opalsunshine.com

Jalapeño Ketchup Dead Hot Sauce

Trodden Black

“This is so complex, yet so tastebud-friendly,” declared the judges, as they reported notes of green tomato, subtle umami from the miso, and cider vinegar, with the kaffir lime making an appearance at the end. troddenblack.co.uk

Dry Smoked Garlic Chilli

L’ailolive – Joli

What most impressed the judges about this Thai-inspired product was the combination of three strong flavours. By balancing garlic, chilli and shrimps, the condiment sets off an “umami bomb” in the mouth. livejoli.com

Wye Valley Meadery

Traditional Mead

Hive Mind Mead & Brew Co.

Over half honey by volume before fermentation, this “liquid gold” bottles the aromas of hedgerows, woodlands and meadows, expressing them as woody and toasted notes with a blossomed fragrance. wyevalleymeadery.co.uk

Black Garlic Chilli Jam

Easton Chilli

Fermented chillies deliver warmth; peppers, cider and balsamic vinegar bring rounded fruity flavours and black garlic adds umami complexity. “There is a lot going on, but it’s harmonious, sticky and very moreish,” remarked tasters. eastonchilli.com

Habanero Chilli Jam

Mr Vikki’s

The heat level is not too fierce, making this an approachable chilli jam and allowing the rich, spicy, Indian-style flavours and aromas to “sing in harmony”. “A jam with character,” was one judge’s verdict. mrvikkis.co.uk

King Naga Pickle

Mr Vikki’s

Made with bhut jolokia (aka naga) chillies, this pickle is the real deal – the judges felt the heat just from inhaling the Indianstyle aromas. “The heat builds to a fine level and brings great delight,” they said. mrvikkis.co.uk

Old Slavic Mead Light Apimed

The judges got quite excited at the prospect of pairing this sweet acacia honey mead with afterdinner cheese, speculating that “the saltiness of the cheese would coax that sweetness into submission”. apimed.sk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 6 HOT SAUCES
CIDER & MEAD

Judge´s quotes

Visually the beans are beautiful. The taste delivers well, a sumptuous hazelnut praline, enhanced by the addition of milk, a substitute for pudding, a naturally sweet, nutty delight.

A really creamy character with a natural sweetness, there are praline chocolate characteristics. Velvete in delivery, clean and smooth, a quality coffee.

This is so smooth and delicious, with notes of hazelnut praline. No gimmicks or tricks, it just has a lovely clean mouthfeel and a long, chocolatey, nutty finish

Signature Espresso

Rroast Single Origin

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No words to describe the taste.

The stars say it all.

Winner of 3 stars in the Great Taste Awards

Our 3-star award-winning Honey and Brown Sugar Slow Cooked Ham on the Bone, is hand glazed with our unique blend of honey and brown sugar. But why not try it for yourself and let your own taste buds decide?

For more information about this product and our range of great tasting pork and bacon, please get in touch at info@olivercarty.ie

Adventurous coffee, hand-roasted in the West Yorkshire Pennines

Wholesale coffee and equipment supply, with curated POS support Award-winning, beautifully presented retail coffees

Barista training school and café consultancy

We’re a Certified B-Corp, and we give 2% of our turnover to community projects

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 8 Golden Fork North of England
INFO@DARKWOODSCOFFEE.CO.UK DARKWOODSCOFFEE.CO.UK
Holme Mills Marsden West Yorkshire HD7
6L
ENTER THE DARKWOODS
TASTE THE CARTY CURE

DID YOU KNOW?

Of the 248 3-star winners this year, 139 have come from the UK and 109 from other countries, including Greece, Germany, Lebanon Cambodia, Hungary, France, Norway, Bulgaria, and Spain.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 9 JUDGING

Kimchi Crisp Rodkva Ferments

This “intriguing” richly coloured mixture of dried, fermented vegetables got the judging table talking about the crunch of the vegetables, the tickling background heat and the “textbook umami”. rodkvakimchi.sk

Traditional methods that use cultured barley and whole organic soya beans aged in cedarwood kegs yield a miso paste that is “rich in colour, unctuous and deep in umami flavour”.

clearspring.co.uk

The judges said the aroma alone was glorious – complex, deep and enticing – but on the palate, this pea miso was a “flavour bomb”, diffusing into a pleasing balance of sweetness, salinity, sourness and umami. kultured.co.uk

Vlčie Sirupy

The judges were unanimous in their praise for this Slovakian aperitif, hailing it as the perfect alcohol-free alternative for Negroni lovers. It delivers “a great hit of bitterness, sweet fruit flavours and an orchestra of herbal notes”.

vlciesirupy.sk

Jasmine Sparkling Tea

Saicho Drinks

Underpinned by jasmine throughout, this single origin sparkling tea is layered with fruit flavours, a creamy undercurrent of vanilla and a distinct floral nose. The judges loved the flavour and finish of this drink.

saichodrinks.com

DYB Naturally Brewed Brown Soybean Soy Sauce

Doyoubo Industry Co.

Made from brown soybeans and wheat, this promises a more refreshing, lighter taste than other soy sauces. It pleased the judges with a sweetness that melded with rich umami. mitdub.com

Belazu Ingredient Company

The judges adored the sharp, fruity sour cherry flavour of this ruby-toned, deeply viscous and concentrated molasses, which they envisioned using on waffles, in cocktails, in dressings and to glaze roasts.

belazu.com

On tasting the “sublime combination of savouriness and citrus”, the judges were itching to start playing with this ponzu sauce in the kitchen. “It has a depth and a freshness to it which is so clever,” they effused. mizkan.co.uk

Hojicha Sparkling Tea

Saicho Drinks

“This product is not ashamed to speak proudly of its origin”, remarked the judges, adding that the tea characters are “envelopingly full and rounded with deeply cleansing properties and hints of medicinal subtlety”.

saichodrinks.com

Holy Faith

Northern Monk

At 0.5% ABV, this hazy pale ale might be virtuous but not at the expense of taste. In fact, a few judges were so taken with its punchy fruit flavours that they added it to their shopping lists.

northernmonk.com

Tomato & Nigella Chutney

Mr Vikki’s

The nose of ripe tomatoes and warm spices transported the judges to a warm and exotic part of India, where their palates were hit with rich tomato, quickly shrouded with “perfectly balanced” spices. mrvikkis.co.uk

CROSSIP Fresh Citrus Non-Alcoholic Spirit

CROSSIP

Opening with top notes of mandarin and eucalyptus, the body of this powerful botanical spirit evolves into a multiplex of citrus followed by fiery ginger. No wonder the judges commended the handling of such intense flavours. crossipdrinks.com

Hibiscus & Rose Premium Soda Modern Contradiction

It isn’t easy balancing drinks that contain rose but, with its delicate fragrance and refreshing taste, this summery blush succeeds, even without the addition of sugar. “What a beautiful glass of fizz!” exclaimed judges. wearesomethingand nothing.co

Kapronca Mint Cordial Imanje Kapronca

By picking its homegrown peppermint and spearmint early in the morning and quickly infusing it in water, this Croatian artisan has retained the natural flavours and captured them perfectly in a “cleantasting, fresh mint cordial”. imanjekapronca.hr

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 10 CONDIMENTS & INGREDIENTS LOW-ALCOHOL & SOFT DRINKS
Carlin Fox Pea Miso Kultured Organic Japanese Barley Miso Paste –Unpasteurised Clearspring Yuzu Ponzu Mizkan Sour Cherry Molasses Nochino Ruby

revelation! Firstly, the world; not sweet, butter and rich…a finish that screams for more. Bring on the brandy butter!”

eat@tanglewoodkitchen.co.uk · www.tanglewoodkitchen.co.uk

For all enquiries and ‘by post’ orders please email

Birdhouse is a West of Ireland sauce buisness created by husband and wife who have blended their scottish & irish heritage, who created a range of sauces inspired by travelling the world.

Judges comments

A sauce/marinade with a very inviting, complex aroma. It’s beautifully fruity, with great, extra dimensions coming from the coconut. It’s also wonderfully balance, such that all sweet, savoury and acidic elements work harmoniously. There’s a great lasting perfume in the mouth and a well considered heat level.

Judges comments

What an amazing consistency and colour. There are wonderful fruity notes on the nose mingling pleasantly with the spices. The flavour profile is outstanding, with all the ingredients working in harmony, and although the heat level could be turned up a little if desired, this is a stunning product.

We will be looking for a UK distributor. For stockist info please contact: Info@birdhouse.ie www.birdhouse.ie

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 11
WWW.THREETUNSBREWERY.CO.UK
THE HOME OF REAL ALE
Mango Mazzaleen Korean Q Jerk BBQ

Yarg CHEESE ICONICALLY CORNISH

Here at Lynher Dairies near Truro, we share the credit for our award-winning Yarg cheeses with nature. Hand made in open vats, Cornish Yarg is slightly crumbly in the core and creamy under the rind. Its distinctive nettle or wild garlic leaf rind imparts delicate flavours as it matures over six weeks.

www.lynherdairies.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 12
Tel: 01580 879601 Email: info@wealdsmokery.co.uk www.wealdsmokery.co.uk Traditionally smoked fish, meats and cheeses created with
and care Multiple award winner for over 20 years! WEALD SMOKERY WEALD SMOKERY WEALD SMOKERY FINE FOOD EXPERIENCE FINE FOOD EXPERIENCE FINE FOOD EXPERIENCE
passion, pride

Cretan Organic Balsamic Glaze

v4vita

“This is a highly accomplished balsamic glaze and has a multitude of uses,” said the judges, savouring the notes of dried fruit and sour cherry that give it an intense, sophisticated character. v4vita.gr

Cretan Organic

Balsamic Glaze with Pomegranate & Strawberry

v4vita

This has a nose of pure strawberries, followed by a huge burst of flavour.

“It’s tangy and rich with strawberry jam flavour alongside pomegranate tannins,” said one judge. v4vita.gr

Fino Dark Balsamic (Crema)

Fino

This 25-year-aged balsamic enveloped the judges with its clear Pedro Ximenez character – expressed through viscosity, a powerful nose and an evolution of flavours, including fruit, caramel and coffee. finooliveoil.co.uk

Organic Extra Virgin

Olive Oil

245 Olive Oil

This “delectable” Greek olive oil starts with a nose of intense green grass, which transfers onto the palate and moves to tomato vine and bitter salad leaves, rounded off with a delicate pepper finish.

245oliveoil.gr

Happy Butter Organic Ghee

Happy Butter Ghee

Made in the UK from organic British butter, this dense, “sensationally aromatic” ghee earned the respect of the judges with its fudgy aroma and grainy texture, which melts beautifully and cleanly, leaving no greasy residue. happybutter.co.uk

Full Moon

Valdespino Sherry

Essigbalsam Quitte 3%

Bagoila Cold Pressed

Pago

de los Baldios San Carlos

This is full of surprises, starting with the colour, which is crystal clear, and the flavours, which the judges found to be “sweet and rounded with an incredible floral sweetness and delicacy”. pagobaldiosancarlos. com

Vinegar with PX

Brindisa

Maturation for six years in American oak PX sherry casks results in a “smooth and rounded” vinegar that exhibits aromas of molasses, oak and sherry, and flavours of wood, nuts and dried fruit.

brindisa.com

Quittenprojekt Bergstraße

The judges were excited by the prospect of coupling quince and apple and this didn’t disappoint, combining vibrant, everpresent apple tartness with rich, warm, honeyed flavours from the more elusive quince component. quittenprojektbergstrasse.de

Pumpkin Seed Oil

Natur Press Team

This product excited the judges as it introduces a new cooking oil option –one with a great texture and toasted-nut aftertaste.

“From the moment we tasted this oil, we started imagining uses for it,” they enthused.

bagoila.eu

Cold Pressed Sunflower Dressing Oil

Mountain Produce

The judges were treated to slow- yet-precise bursts of sunflower seeds, along with flavours of cashew nut, butter, warm grasses and sunflower. “We have never had a sunflower oil as good as this,” they declared.

mountainproduce.co.uk

Wild Cornwall

The judges were in awe of the way this vinegar delivers layers of flavour, producing a floral nose of elderflower underpinned by the aromas of apple cider vinegar, and a fragrant and fresh taste. wildcornwall.net

Described as a “clever” blend of vinegar and juice with a honeyed overlay that rounds out to a pleasing balance redolent of ripe apples, this deeply aromatic vinegar was a “real treat to taste”. mizkan.co.uk

Willy’s ACV Fire Cracker

Willy’s

The judges thought the blend of fiery ingredients with apple cider vinegar was extraordinarily clever. “The garlic nips in alongside the gentle hint of onion, with the heat of the horseradish boosted by the cayenne pepper,” they said. willysacv.com

Lee Kum Kee (Europe)

The judges loved the complexity of flavour –malty, tangy, caramel, bitter chocolate and a long finish of savoury, fermented tang. They felt this would enhance even the simplest dish such as plain boiled rice. shopuk.lkk.com

Karobi’s

This clean-tasting ghee manages to deliver nutty flavour with butterscotch notes, “the most remarkable mouthfeel” and a “joyous length of flavour”, without coating the mouth with greasy residue – a clever feat that astounded the judges. karobisghee.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 13
OSU Apple Cider Vinegar - Original Mizkan Seasoned Rice Vinegar Karobi’s Ghee (Plain) Elderflower Apple Cider Vinegar
VINEGAR OILS

Mr Williams’s

Traditional Pork Pie

Wyre Pie Company

On cutting this hearty looking pie, the judges were delighted to discover that it was packed full of well-seasoned pork and bright jelly that was “sweet, juicy and just rich enough to add further satisfaction”. wyrepiecompany.co.uk

Toasted Sri Lankan

Curry Rub

The Rusty BBQ Company

This curry blend impressed with its authenticity. The judges thought the curry leaves in particular added true character, and liked that the spices were toasted to release essential oils, enhancing the flavour. therustybbqco.com

Whole Young Green

Kampot Peppercorns

Kadode Kampot Pepper

UK

These are no ordinary peppercorns; they release “an explosion of flavours” when they burst in the mouth and citrus, sweet and salty notes “dance on the tongue”. The judges ate them like sweets. kadodepepper.co.uk

Sea Salt Flakes – Salt

Pyramids

.pepper..field

One judge called this salt

“Mother Nature’s perfect treasure” owing to its unadulterated simplicity, and explained: “It’s clean to the taste, full of mineral qualities, deeply complex and interesting”. pepperfield.com

Fresh Green Kampot Pepper with a Touch of Fleur de Sel

.pepper..field

The judges lavished praise on these “fiery little balls” for their delightful pop. “There really is an explosion of flavour here –fresh, celery, savoury green with a punch of fruity heat and spice,” they said. pepperfield.com

Porcini & Chestnut

Mushroom Pie

Higgidy

This showstopper of a mushroom pie wowed the table with its crisp crust, crumble topping and generous, well-balanced, creamy mushroom filling. “This would be hard to beat with something made at home,” said one judge. higgidy.co.uk

Freeze-dried Green

Kampot Pepper

.pepper..field

The lyophilization process used to make these seems to be doing its job of preserving fresh pepper impact – the judges reported “an immediate blast of flavour, rich and spicy with a tantalising heat”. pepperfield.com

Fermented

Green

Kampot Pepper

.pepper..field

These little berries are intense, not just in their heat, but in their flavour, which the judges likened to fresh ginger. “As you bite, it releases its power upon your palate,” they said. pepperfield.com

Rubin Paprika

Hungarian HandSelected Sweet Szegedi

Paprika

Best of Hungary

The judges had never tasted a sweet paprika so deep, rich, earthy, fruity and flavoursome. “You can trace every part of the flavour back to the ripe peppers,” they said. bestofhungary.co.uk

Rubin Paprika

Wagyu Beef & Ale Pie

Martins

This neatly crimped, golden-crusted pie treated the judges to an “utterly joyous” eating experience by delivering good sized chunks of dry-aged Welsh wagyu beef shin and chuck in a “rich and satisfying” gravy. martinspies.co.uk

Pie

Wagtail Kitchen

The judges loved everything about this deep-filled pie, from the “perfect flaky, buttery pastry” and the tender beef that “falls apart on the fork”, to the “deliciously rich ale sauce” and “bursts of blue cheese tang”. wagtailkitchen.co.uk

Super Negin Saffron

Sara Saffron

The judges knew they were sampling something extra special when they tried this super negin Persian saffron. “This has an excellent vibrant colour and a wonderful rich, clean, classic aroma of quality saffron,” they commented. sarasaffron.com

Hungarian

Hot

Szegedi Paprika

Best of Hungary

“This is how all paprika should taste,” declared the judges, on experiencing the fruity flavour, sweet spice and subtle heat conferred by this paprika from peppers grown in the PDO Szeged region. bestofhungary.co.uk

Andaliman Wild Pepper Spice Stash OÜ

The judges hailed this fragrant wild pepper from North Sumatra as a “phenomenon in the world of spices” owing to its “extraordinary” range of aromatics and tonguetingling sensation, which both numbs and wakes the palate. thespicestash.com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 14
Steak & Blackstick Blue
PIES SEASONINGS

It’s cyder, but not as you know it

Perfect with pudding or a wedge of Somerset cheddar. Comparable to a ne dessert wine, with lovely fresh citrus notes on the nose and palate.

Shop online at shop.thenewtinsomerset.com

“A real avour bomb, green apple character, mellow but sharp and zesty. is evidences clever crafting that has clearly had thought put into it.”

Great Taste Awards, 2023

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GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 16

DID YOU KNOW?

Across 89 judging days in Dorset and London (as well as separate locations for specialist categories), a group of over 500 judges –including retailers, chefs and food critics – conducted comprehensive blindtaste tests on the 14,000-plus entries.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 17 JUDGING

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Even those that like a strong cheese smooth texture of this little cheese. will enjoy the subtle flavours and the

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 18
Premium Fine Puff Pastry Organic Fine Puff pastry Premium shortcrust pastry Premium Sweet Shortcrust pastry www.dorsetpastry.com Prepare delicious recipes in no time with our pre-rolled pastry www.lyburncheese.co.uk 01794 399982
PREMIUM PONZU CONTAINING 4% PURE YUZU JUICE CRAFTED BY THE NO.1 PONZU MAKER IN JAPAN www.mizkanchef.com @mizkan_chef_uk Mizkan Chef UK

Wing Rib of Beef Isle of Man Meats

The judges hailed this Manx prime roasting rib as a beautiful example of native beef. “There is a fine grain to the meat, with deep ivory fat. It was supremely tender and full of complexity,” they said. iommeats.com

Lidl Ireland

“What a gorgeous looking joint!” exclaimed the judges, who were seduced by this rib roast’s good looks, its “Sunday lunch beef aromas” and its tenderness, succulence and silken mouthfeel.

lidl.ie

Lidl Ireland

Wafts of grassiness on the nose and a delicate beef aroma announced this “impressive” joint, which followed through with beautifully rendered fat and tender, juicy meat that melted in the mouth. lidl.ie

Pedigree, Organic, Pasture-fed Hogget Leg Black Welsh Lamb

This hogget has been raised on traditional pasture and this comes through in the meat, which the judges described as “tender, succulent and full of flavour from those Black Mountain grasses”, with a “slight gaminess”. blackwelshlamb.com

These chickens spend their days scratching in spacious fields, which is reflected in the rich, tender meat. “There is a nutty grassiness to the flavour,” said one judge, declaring this “a fabulous example of wellreared chicken”. angelcottageorganics. co.uk

Aldi Specially Selected Wicklow Leg of Lamb Irish Country Meats

This lamb has been reared on wild gorse and heather, giving a density to the meat and a sweet nuttiness to the fat. “This is full of the fields it wandered in,” said the judges. irishcountrymeats.com

Rare Breed British Lop Spare Rib of Pork

Hockey’s Farm Shop

Pannage, whereby pigs are allowed to forage on the acorns and nuts of the New Forest, has yielded some of the best pork the judges said they have ever tasted – with creamy fat and spectacular crackling. hockeys-farm.co.uk

Free Range Pork

Shoulder

Redhill Farm Free Range

Pork

“Pork doesn’t get much better that this – naturally sweet, deeply flavoured and crackling to die for,” said the judges of this shoulder joint produced from Redhill Farm’s freerange Duroc-cross pigs. redhillfarm.com

Free Range Whole Loin of Pork

Packington Free Range

The judges thought this well-prepared and uniform pork loin would make a “true centrepiece”, with its creamy, flavoursome fat, crunchy crackling and soft, yielding, melt-in-themouth meat. packingtonfreerange. co.uk

Rack

Isle of Man Meats

Beautifully butchered, leaving ample creamy fat to lubricate the meat, this slow-grown Manx lamb impressed tasters with its succulent grassfed character and clean, residual sweetness. iommeats.com

French

Baronscourt Estate

Soft tender flesh melts in the mouth, releasing a flavour profile which is savoury, gamey, sweet, complex and tasty, with great balance and length – making this a “first class example” of Sika venison. barons-court.com

Lovaton Farm

This rib-eye ticked every box for the judges: the beef cut like butter, while the generous marbling of fat contributed to the flavour, moistness and tenderness of the meat. lovatonfarmmeat.co.uk

Denver Steak

Wyndford Wagyu

The Denver steak is a lesser-known cut prized for its marbling – an attribute that was apparent in this example, which drew compliments such as “butter-rich”, and “deeply succulent”, with “fantastic caramelisation and generous marbling”. wyndfordwagyu.com

Dexter

Rump Steak

Ballyboley Dexters

The high welfare farming of a native breed was applauded by the panel, who enjoyed the creamy, sweet, clean-tasting fat, intense beefy savouriness, and sweet, herbal meadow notes in this steak. ballyboleydexters.com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 19 MEAT
Lidl Deluxe Irish Angus 3-Rib Roast on the Bone – 40-Days Matured Lidl Irish Angus Rib Roast on the Bone –28-Days Matured Organic Whole Chicken Angel Cottage Organics Wyndford Wagyu Devon x Dexter BeefRib-Eye Steak Ballyboley Pedigree 28-Day Dryaged on-the-Bone of Lamb Wild Sika Venison Rack

Wild Sika Venison Loin Baronscourt Estate

Judges loved the tenderness of this cut, which is a previous 3-star and Golden Fork winner, but it was the umami and gamey notes that really blew them away. “It slides over the palate, with no need for seasoning, sauce or anything,” said one. barons-court.com

Koji Pork Chop

Hannan Meats

The decision to marinate the chops in a Kōji salt paste was inspired according to the judges, who loved the rich, savoury umami glaze to enhance the depth and intensity of flavour.

hannanmeats.com

Loch Fyne Kinglas Fillet

Loch Fyne Oysters

As well as admiring the orange-pink tone and plump texture of this evenly formed centre cut, the judges luxuriated in the “delicate and balanced smoke”, which allows the perfectly fresh salmon flavours to wash over the palate. lochfyne.com

Beechwood Smoked Salmon

Macneil’s Smokehouse

The judges put this in “a class of its own”. Not only did the product present beautifully, bringing a tang of salt and smoke, it melted in the mouth, leaving a “beautifully balanced” aftertaste. macneilssmokehouse. co.uk

Beechwood Hot Kilnsmoked Salmon

Macneil’s Smokehouse

The panel had no hesitation awarding this pepper-coated hot kilnsmoked fish top honours: “The pepper coating is fragrant, the level of smoke is spot-on and the taste beautifully balanced.” macneilssmokehouse. co.uk

Buttermilk Pork Chop Hannan Meats

The buttermilk brine and well-judged aromatics have worked their magic, producing a pork chop that the judges hailed as tender, succulent and bursting with flavour, with an “unctuous” texture and well-proportioned fat. hannanmeats.com

Silver Hill Confit Duck

Legs

Silver Hill Duck

“A skilled hand is at work here; the flavours are balanced, the garlic restrained and the seasoning spot on,” commented the judges, also applauding the texture and the glimmer of thyme that shines through. silverhillfarm.ie

Hot Smoked Trout

East Neuk Kilnhouse

The judges crowned this “majestic” side of sea trout “king of the smoked fish world”, owing to its glistening, dark amber appearance and “exceptionally moist” yet flaky flesh, delicately flavoured with a perfect balance of sweetness. enkilnhouse.com

Vistong Original

Church Paddock Fishery

This fishery has achieved “gastronomical alchemy” with its marinated cold smoked trout trimmings. The judges likened the texture to “trout biltong” and said the balance of salt, sweet, sour and umami was spot on. churchpaddock.com

Anchoas En Mantequilla

Ahumada

Rooftop Smokehouse

The judges thought that, with a gentle bite and creaminess, these Cantabrian anchovies were “texturally perfect”, filling the mouth with a saltiness that was intensified by the well-judged smoke from the butter. rooftopsmokehouse.com

Signature Tastes

Smoked Rack of Bacon

Musgrave Retail Partners

Ireland

Hand-trimmed and gently smoked over beech and applewood, this rack of bacon looks and smells wonderful. The judges admired the sweetness of the meat and the welljudged level of smoke. musgrave.ie

Grant’s Guanciale

William Grant & Co

Pork jowl from locally farmed pigs is dry-cured, hand-rubbed with herbs and spices, matured for 10 days, before being air-dried and sliced. It results in a guanciale with a “glorious” aroma reminiscent of a farmhouse kitchen.

Trucha Ahumada

Rooftop Smokehouse

The natural living environment comes through in the flavour of this seven-year-old smoked trout. “The fish tastes fresh, clean, sweet and vital with a soft resiny smoke that contrasts with the other flavours,” commented the judges. rooftopsmokehouse.com

Sardines in Olive Oil

Giribizzi CP One Global

The judges thought these sardines were “absolute perfection”. “The flavour was so fresh, rich and clean, and the olive oil made for a perfect partnership with the fish. The texture could not have been better,” they concluded.

giribizzi.co.uk

Anchoa Reserva

Catalina

Conservas Catalina

These anchovies take the palate on a journey that moves from “deliciously sweet” through salty to a light bitterness that gives way to creaminess, eventually leaving the mouth fresh but with a hint of the sea. conservascatalina.com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 20 MEAT SMOKED FISH & SEAFOOD

ORGANIC CASHEW NUT BUTTER

cashew-nut flavour with gentle persistence and a clean finish. Simple and perfect.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 21
MRS BELL’S BLUE - GUILD OF FINE FOOD JUDGING PANEL -
It’s about time @tempusfoods www.tempusfoods.com British Bresaola Smoked Coppa

Anchoas del Cantábrico en Mantequilla Ecológica Conservas M.A Revilla

The judges embraced the concept of offsetting the powerful taste of the anchovy fillets with creamy butter. They were “blown away by the balance of flavour” and said it was “a delight to taste”. anchoasrevilla.com

Cantabrian Anchovy Fillets 000 Limited

Edition

Magno Food

The judges said it was a privilege to taste these anchovies, which are salted in wooden barrels to deliver a “dramatic and surprisingly complex” palate impact – saline but with an almost acetic tang. magnofood.com

Cantabrian Anchovy Fillets in Beppino Occelli Butter

Magno Food

Cantabrian anchovies and Italian Beppino Occelli butter is a “marriage made in heaven” said the judges, who found the sweet, salty fish worked with the butter for a “decadent, savoury, umami treat”. magnofood.com

A milk chocolate shell with a shimmering blue hue encases a rich ganache with a “satisfying hum of whisky” and a salted maple pecan praline, amounting to “a very accomplished bonbon”. breconchocolates.co.uk

Pecan Pie Bonbon Chocolatia

Skill of the highest order and first-class ingredients with excellent provenance come together in a “blissful” chocolate that seduced the judges with its light, well-balanced salted caramel, delicate vanilla and crisp pecan wafer. chocolatia.co.uk

Rosalita Smoked Cantabrian Anchovies in Olive Oil

Chef Market

Tasters thought these anchovies would make a perfect antipasti. They said the salt flavour was perfectly balanced with the sweet smokiness but the biggest surprise was the texture of the flesh. rosalita.cool

Chef Market

Generously proportioned and with a texture that marries tenderness and bite, these anchovies were enjoyed by the judges, who praised the “sweet and delicate” flavour and “beautiful balance of saltiness and oil”. rosalita.cool

Anchoas El Astilleru de Hazas

Anchoas Hazas

Although anchovies are rarely eaten on their own, judges thought that these little fish, “full of the taste of the sea”, could be –thanks to their smooth, deep flavour, melting consistency and long, sweet, clean finish. anchoashazas.com

Chocolatia

Both the attention to detail on the finishing and the carefully balanced flavours of this three-layered chocolate really impressed the judges. “This is a classic done very well,” they said. chocolatia.co.uk

BeanCraft 55% Milk Chocolate, Sierra Nevada Colombia

BeanCraft

The skill of this bean-to-bar chocolate maker translates into a “beautifully tempered” milk chocolate and “a sensuous melt that fills the mouth with deep plum notes and some gooseberry tones”. beancraftchocolate.co.uk

Anchoas Hazas

The feedback on these “meaty yet silky and buttery” anchovies was stellar. “There is a hint of sweetness on the finish which makes this a really rounded product,” said judges of this previous 3-star winner. anchoashazas.com

The Weald Smokery

The balance of smokiness and sweetness in this fish really set it apart from the crowd during judging.

“This is beautifully juicy, flaky, plump haddock with a delightful level of oak smoke,” was the panel’s verdict.

wealdsmokery.co.uk

Chocolatia

Not only does this bar present like a work of art, the judges reported that the chocolate is fruity and flavourful, and forges a great contrast to the deep, dark, caramel within, while the salt carries “pleasing minerality”.

chocolatia.co.uk

Tablet

The Kitchen at 44 CIC

The judges agreed that this rustic, pale blonde Scottish treat (akin to fudge) is a “masterclass in tablet production”, with its melt-in-the-mouth consistency, rich-yet-notcloying flavour and hint of caramel that is perfectly judged.

thekitchenat44.org

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 23 SMOKED FISH & SEAFOOD CHOCOLATE
Rosalita XL Cantabrian Anchovies in Olive Oil Whisky & Pecan Praline Brecon Chocolates Hazelnut Latte Bonbon Smoked Haddock Sea Salt Caramel Filled Bar Anchoas Hazas

WHAT DO THE STARS MEAN?

Each jar, packet or bottle displaying a Great Taste logo is guaranteed to have been through the rigorous and independent judging process. The logo will display the year it was judged and the official star-rating.

It’s not about smart packaging or clever marketing – it’s all about Great Taste.

3-stars: exquisite Extraordinarily tasty foods – around 2% of products are awarded 3-stars each year. Buy it!

2-stars: outstanding Above and beyond delicious – less than 10% of entries will achieve this rating.

1-star: simply delicious A food that delivers fantastic flavour –approximately 25% of entries will achieve this rating each year.

To search for award-winning food and drink from this and previous years, go to: www.greattasteawards.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 24 ABOUT GREAT TASTE
gff.co.uk | greattasteawards.co.uk | #greattasteawards #ISpyGreatTaste
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 25 Captain’s Grog ‘Nautical but Nice... and Three Stars’ This special coffee was developed by our head roaster inspired by his love of sailing. Its rich fruity aroma and warming rum flavour but with the coffee still singing provides a restorative treat. Visit our website to see all our Great Taste winning coffees. www.beanbrothers.co.uk 'Captain's Grog' Rum marinated coffee beans T 01333 730658 E enkilnhouse@outlook.com W www.enkilnhouse.com ARTISAN FISH SMOKERS @enkilnhouse follow us on HIDDEN GEM OF SCOTLAND ST MONANS Hot Smoked Salmon Hot Smoked Trout Kipper Fillets The judges said “this is a majestic side of Hot Smoked Trout - what a sight to behold! On tasting the texture is rich and buttery, moist and tender…it melts in the mouth!” Hot Smoked Salmon HOT SMOKED TROUT Traditional Smoked Salmon Natural Organic Sheepmilk Yoghurt Delicious & Healthy Exceptional Flavour and creaminess hallmark this Organic sheepmilk yoghurt from Dorset pastures. There is so much to discover about wonderful sheep milk and its gentle support for your digestive health. www.woodlandsdairy.co.uk
Exquisitely indulgent Gelato & Sorbet www.scupgelato.com @scupgelato Wholesale Sales: 00353877636855 CHOCOLATE GELATO HAZELNUT GELATO PASSIONFRUIT SORBET PISTACHIO GELATO NATURAL YOGURT & BLACKCURRANT SORBET A true great Christmas taste thats not just for Christmas.......
tel:
web: www.celticspirit.co.uk
Christmas Pwd Liqueur
01407730021 email: hello@angleseyspirit.co.uk

Iberico Acorn-Fed Ham (50% Iberian Breed)

Ibericos Montellano

“One of the bestbalanced examples of Iberico Bellota we have encountered,” said the judges. “The aroma is sweetly enticing and the palate utterly delightful – tender, predominantly sweet yet umami rich.” ibericosmontellano.com

Honey & Brown Sugar Glazed Ham on the Bone

Oliver Carty & Family

“Luscious, caramelised and nicely cured”, this slow cooked ham joint has the wow factor. “The meat is moist and the flavours are well balanced, with a delicious layer of glazed fat,” enthused the judges. olivercarty.ie

Senorio Organic AcornFed Iberico Salchichón Brindisa

The meat of pure-bred, acorn-fed Iberico pigs raised and fattened on the dehesas of Extremadura is allowed to shine through. Peppercorns add brightness and the meat:fat ratio creates an appealing mouthfeel. brindisa.com

Nativus Spicy Venison Salami

Best of Hungary

The soft melt in the mouth releases a full-on flavour profile rich with spicy paprika and warming chilli, while smoking over beechwood adds depth and creaminess to this venison charcuterie. bestofhungary.co.uk

Chestnut Smoked Coppa Tempus Foods

The judges found the salt and smoke to be perfectly balanced and the texture wonderful with marbled and melting fat, but what really won them over was the way this coppa breaks down in the mouth.

tempusfoods.com

Cecina de Wagyu

Selección El Castro

Productos Cárnicos El Castro

“This piece of smoked beef is beautifully crafted and well-marbled,” remarked the judges, adding: “The smoke flavour and saltiness do not overpower the palate, allowing the beef to be the star of the show.”

Smoked Chicken Breast Black Mountains

Smokery

While slicing this smoked chicken breast, the judges couldn’t help but marvel at the “wonderful succulent appearance” and the “purity of the smoked aroma” that greeted their senses – reaffirmed in the texture and mouthfeel. smoked-foods.co.uk

British Bresaola

Tempus Foods

The judges applauded this British charcuterie producer on using beef from ex-dairy cows to make its “perfectly thin bresaola”, which impressed with its even cure, aroma of green cardamom and rich, melt-inthe-mouth texture. tempusfoods.com

Dorset Coppa

Capreolus Fine Foods

With this cured, fermented and air-dried pork collar, Capreolus has orchestrated a “symphony of sweet and tender meat, flavourful fat, perfectly balanced spice, a superb and succulent mouthfeel and a long and lingering taste”. capreolusfinefoods.co.uk

Original Biltong Biltong Emporium

This South African style biltong is made from Aberdeen Angus silverside. The judges recognised the obvious quality of the beef and observed that it had been dried perfectly, retaining its moisture and tenderness. biltongemporium.com

Suprema de Cecina Premium Entrepeñas

Entrepeñas

This Spanish producer has done justice to León’s flagship product, conceiving a beautifully marbled Cecina in which the sweetness of the fat works with the spices to deliver lingering flavour and a pleasing mouthfeel. embutidosentrepenas.es

Cecina de León IGP Embutidos Ferju

The judges loved this look of this Cecina, “rosy pink with golden fat”. The palate did not disappoint either, thanks to the perfect combination of salinity, sweetness and gentle-yetpervasive smoke.

ferju.net

Jamon De Tudanca

Carniceria Quintana

The judges were united in their love of this unusual cured beef from mature Tudanca cows. They praised the melt-in-the-mouth texture, resulting from a shorter curing time, and the “incredible” depth of flavour from the meat. carniceriaquintana.com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 27
CHARCUTERIE

Blaisdon Red Plum

The Artisan Kitchen

The rare, heritage Blaisdon red plum is the star of this show and the texture of this jam – a serial 3-star winner – allows the character of the fruit to shine. “We loved the tartness-yet-sweetness of the plums,” said one judge. . theartisankitchen.co.uk

Granville Raspberry Jam

Granville Hotel

The judges were happy to discover a raspberry jam that preserves the “fresh acidic loveliness” of raspberries. They said the sweetness was “spot on”, and the zingy raspberry had maintained “all its integrity”. granvillehotel.ie

Fig, Pear & Apple Jam

Rosalind’s Larder

The aroma of fresh figs, apples, pears and cinnamon greets the senses, paving the palate for soft juicy fruit pieces, warming spices and crunchy seeds. The judges couldn’t wait to try it on their cheeseboards.

Passion Fruit Curd

Folláin Teoranta

“An extremely wellexecuted curd with a stunning texture” said the judges - a nod to the producer’s use of ingredients such as Irish butter and free-range eggs, as well as its ability to balance sharpness and sweetness. follain.ie

English Heritage Toffee Apple Curd

Thursday Cottage

The judges were “surprised and delighted by the exceptional balance of this product”. They found the tart apple notes cleansed the palate after the initial kick of buttery creaminess and toffee sweetness. thursday-cottage.com

Biona Organic Cashew

Butter Windmill Organics

Organic cashew nuts have been “roasted to perfection” to achieve a silky consistency that pleased the judges. “It is gorgeously thick and super smooth. And the natural sweetness of the cashews shines through,” they said. windmillorganics.com

Pistachio caramel

Sugar Life by Vlad

Ryasnyy

One spoonful was enough to turn the judges into evangelists for this silky caramel made from Italian pistachio paste and fleur de sel. “Perfectly balanced salt, creaminess, and caramel, with pistachio as the shining star,” they said. sugarlife.cz

Seville Orange

Marmalade

The Artisan Kitchen

What makes this special is the fact that it is not too sweet, delivering bright citrus orange tartness from start to finish. “The initial sharpness is followed by a bitter bite from the perfectly cooked peel,” noted one judge. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Seville Orange

Marmalade Vino De Naranja

The Artisan Kitchen

This marmalade brought a ray of Spanish sunshine to the table, with its clarity, and bright, fresh flavours that “dance” on the tongue and contrast with the sweetness and richness from the vino. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Tarocco Blood Orange Marmalade

The Artisan Kitchen

Retaining the freshness of the Tarocco blood oranges during the cooking process is the key to producing this intense, tangy marmalade, which the judges thought was sugared to perfection – with great texture, body and balance of flavours. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Marmalade

Orange

The Artisan Kitchen

The waft of citrus emanates from this marmalade, which balances bitter and sweet with clearly defined yet harmonious ingredients while the bitters in Aperol add a layer of complexity. theartisankitchen.co.uk

The Artisan Kitchen

The judges thought this “cocktail” of flavours delivered just the right sharpness of acidity and sugar to soften the bitterness from the pink grapefruits. “We can taste the gin and bitters, but just to the right degree,” they said. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Marmalade

The Artisan Kitchen

The judges were in raptures about the aromas of sun-kissed Sorrento lemons that soar from the jar and entice, with a lovely lemon peel fragrance, and branded this entry an “excellent citrus wake-up call”. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Marmalade

Naranja

The Artisan Kitchen Judges were struck by the “incredible freshness of flavour” in this marmalade, which achieves a balance of sweetness, tartness, tang and bitterness. The texture of the pulp, pith and peel were also deemed spot on. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Marmalade

Hillside

The judges felt that the “properly punchy” flavours of this marmalade would enhance every breakfast table, bringing fruity citrus freshness harnessed by a deep tang and bitterness that harmonises with the sweetness from the honey. hillsidehousehoney.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 28
Sorrento Lemon Pink Gin Marmalade Seville Orange with Honey House Honey Summer Citrus Italian Bitters
JAMS & PRESERVES
Blood Orange Vino De
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 26
Original Biltong
www.biltongemporium.com Creators of quality handcrafted Biltong in a variety of delicious flavours
Signature Biltong Bloody Mary Bites

We see honey as the “little brother” of wine and attach great importance to the selection of terroir, but also aroma and color of our honey.

The nomination at the Great Taste Golden Fork 2023 strengthens our way of working.

www.feinschmeckerhonig.de

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 30

DID YOU KNOW?

This year, only 5,904 products of the total products entered received an award (41.6%) and of the 2,516 winning companies, 1,837 (73%) are based in the UK while 679 (27%) span the corners of the globe.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 31 JUDGING

COFFEE

Colombia

“IPA”

Dark Woods Coffee

An ambitious project –processing this coffee to develop flavours akin to IPA beer – has yielded an “extraordinary” coffee with an “unbelievably clearly defined identity”. Judges branded it “a triumph”. darkwoodscoffee.co.uk

Colombia El Placer

“Yellow Fruits”

Dark Woods Coffee

The judges weren’t prepared for the “massive fruity punch on the nose” but admitted it was “really rather dreamy”. They said this converted straight onto the palate, via a “mellow soft and approachable taste”. darkwoodscoffee.co.uk

Colombia El Vergel “Guavabanana”

(Anaerobic Natural)

Vandyke Brothers Coffee

Caturra Arabica is anaerobically fermented in its own juices, slowdried and hand-roasted, resulting in “a big, assertive flavour that delivers quite an identity”. vandykebrothers.co.uk

Arboretum

Dark Woods Coffee

This espresso roast is all about the fruit, starting with blue and red berries on the nose that carry on into strawberry and cherry on the palate. “This is what we come here for!” commented one judge. darkwoodscoffee.co.uk

Dark

The judges were surprised by how delicate and floral this coffee was for a carbonic maceration. They characterised it as “supremely balanced and complex”, with a heady, floral aroma. darkwoodscoffee.co.uk

Papua

Bay Coffee Roasters

Roasted using renewable energy from wind farms in Wales, this coffee wowed the judges with its sustainable credentials but its “burnt but never bitter” taste, “intense citrus fruitiness” and “long, delicious finish” were what earned it a 3-star. baycoffeeroasters.com

Ethiopia Haru

The Lost Barn Coffee Roasters

When the judges saw the words “high-grown Yirgacheffe”, they were anticipating something special. “Zesty, almost floral on the nose and on the palate, this is an utter delight,” was the verdict. lostbarncoffee.co.uk

Etiópia, Hamasho

Kavoholik

As an espresso this shines, but with milk it becomes even more exceptional –the lactose transforming it into a cherry Bakewell tart, and giving a complex fruity sweetness that pleased every judge. kavoholik.sk

Marcala Comsa

Idylika

The judges described this as “a coffee that keeps on giving”, with boozy spice, sweet notes and an elegant level of citric acidity – proof that this newcomer to the coffee roasting scene can seriously balance flavours. idylika.sk

Bean Brothers Coffee Company

The beans spend 60 days marinating in oak barrels with vintage Mexican rum. The rum influence is “delightful and delicate with a light vanilla that complements the acidity”. beanbrothers.co.uk

Jammy and bright, with sweet rum notes, this coffee perked up the judges’ tastebuds immediately, then the addition of milk took them to another level, as it assumed “an almostMadeira-cake sweetness and intriguing depth”. cafedepanama.com

The judges detected hazelnut praline and gianduja on the nose of the roasted beans and “bags of fruit” in the first sip of espresso, which they thought had “sufficient complexity” to appeal to many palates. cafedepanama.com

Early

The judges decided this Honduran Arabica could be a dessert substitute, with notes of hazelnut praline and a long, chocolatey finish. earlybirdcoffee.fr

“We knew from the moment we smelled the beans that we were in for a superior coffee,” said one judge. The Speciality Grade Ethiopian beans render a punchy cup with natural honey sweetness and tartness to boot.

strangerscoffee.com

The judges found plenty to shout about in this high-grown Arabica. It is malty and acidic but full of flavour from the stewed fruit, marmalade and jammy notes that all work in harmony. monsoonestates.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 32
El Placer 100% Pink Bourbon New Guinea Colombia Mikava 100% Red Bourbon Carbonic Maceration Woods Coffee Early Bird Signature Espresso Roast – Single Origin Bird Coffee Panama Black Honey Cafe de Panama Guji Acacia Natural Process Coffee Strangers Coffee Company Panama Espresso Cafe de Panama Rwandan Kinini Monsoon Estates Coffee Company Captain’s Grog – Rummarinated Guatamalan Coffee Beans
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 33 Happy bees make the best honey, 3-Star honey, year after year!
Wild Flower Honey
www.travellingbee.co.uk “ ”
Provence Lavender Honey
3-STAR GUIDE 34 Discover the fruity, delicate taste of 245 www.245oliveoil.gr Handmade on our family farm in West Cork Ireland. www.durruscheese.com email: office@durruscheese.com Durrus Óg

Bivalyos Tanya Acacia

Honey

Best of Hungary

The judges were effusive in their praise, declaring this “the most enjoyable heady honey” they had had in a while. Alongside lemon citrus and floral notes, they even discerned “little pockets of pollen which burst on the tongue”. bestofhungary.co.uk

Sommerblüte Fass Nr. 1

Wegguner Honighof

This raw blossom honey from the German village of Weggun was the judges’ first encounter with passion fruit florality and it astounded them with its zesty burst of flavours and heady pollen aroma.

feinschmeckerhonig.de

Sweet Chestnut Honey

Travelling Bee Company

Harvested from sweet chestnut trees in the forests of France’s Dordogne, this monofloral honey challenges with its boldness. The judges likened it to a caramel – taken to the edge of bitterness, then pulled back at just the right time. travellingbee.co.uk

Lavender Honey

Melira

Collected from the flowering fields of the Thessalian plain, this delicate, aromatic Greek honey delivers acres of sunny lavender. “The lavender is hugely evident and the balance is floral, sweet and nourishing,” remarked the judges. melirahoney.com.gr

Wild Oak Honey

Melira

The warm fudgy sweetness, hints of resin, pine, floral intensity and woody forest flavours at large in this dense, viscous Greek honey offer a rare window into the bees’ foraging environment, clearly displayed through “vibrant and vital” flavour. melirahoney.com.gr

Mama Buci Zambian

Honey - Winter Harvest

Mama Buci International

Duskily aromatic, with corresponding depth of colour and opacity, this tastes as dark as it looks. The judges identified a set of interesting, complex flavours, including sesame, carob, menthol, herbs and liquorice. mamabuci.com

Roua Maramureșuluimiere ecologică de tei

Tivadar Petru

Întreprindere Individuală

With its insistent florality and tang of bitter lime, this linden honey from one of the first organic bee farms in Romania made a lasting impression. “Unusual and complex,” remarked one judge.

rouamaramuresului.ro

Organic Oak Honey

Bee Naturalles

A marriage of the sacred oak and wild herbs, this honey is dark, rich and deep with mountain scents, woodland and herbs. “This is everything you look for in a Greek mountain honey,” said the judges. beenaturalles.com

Erica Honey

The Bear’s Honey

The gentle fruity aroma belies the belt of flavour that follows when this high-altitude Greek tree heather honey lands on the palate, administering “layer upon layer of sweetness and gentle acidity amidst the most wonderful floral tones”.

honeybio.gr

Andes Mountain honey

CD Colmenares

The creamy, silken melt of this complex honey ensures both even flavour delivery and wonderful length. The judges were still teasing out floral notes alongside citrus zestiness many minutes after the initial sampling. cdcolmenares.com

The

The Noble Bee

Miraculously, this honey “melts in the mouth but leaves the palate clean”, but not before it has deposited the deep, fragrant flavours of the ancient sweet chestnut trees and wildflowers that surround the hives in The New Forest. thenoblebee.co.uk

Limnia

The thyme is up front, backed by lavender and other herbs, making this wild honey “one to eat by the spoonful” for the judges. It balances gentle acidity, light butterscotch tones and a lingering herbaceous finish.

Honey

Gea Olympou

The foothills of Mount Olympus have yielded a “complex, delicious honey with a silky texture”. The judges experienced the flavour in layers, yet retaining the character of the different foraged sources. geaolympou.gr

(Miel Robledal)

Judges were transported to the forests of northern Spain by the piney taste of this fudge-textured mono-floral heather honey. They said: “the aftertaste is remarkable in length as well as zesty florality”. mielrobledal.es

Aphrodite Forest Honey

Aphrodite

The judges were entranced by the gentle floral note and “sublime” mouthfeel of this raw honey. “It is soft and sits on the centre of your tongue releasing warm camphor and honey sweetness,” said one taster. aphroditehoney.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 35 HONEY
Oak & Olympus herbs GI Lemnos Apicultural Cooperative Miel De Calluna El Robledal Jesús Montes Rodríguez Noble Bee Honey

WHAT IS GREAT TASTE?

Great Taste is the largest and most trusted accreditation for food & drink producers in the world. It supports, promotes and mentors the people crafting fantastic food and delicious drinks in businesses large and small, giving buyers and food lovers in the UK and overseas reliable recommendations for great tasting products.

Great Taste offers a unique benchmarking and product evaluation service, leading to a 1-, 2- or 3-star award that encourages confidence and commercial success for quality food & drink businesses. This in turn generates a greater awareness for products locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, providing a platform for award-winners to be discovered and enjoyed.

Since 1994, 170,000 products have been put through this robust judging process. Each one is fastidiously blind-tasted by a selected panel of industry experts – including chefs, cooks, buyers, retailers, restaurateurs, food critics and writers – all searching for the stand-out products to be celebrated each year.

All branding and packaging is removed from the judging room, so you can guarantee that their assessment is completely free from bias. Of course the judges take into account the texture, appearance, aroma and quality of the ingredients, but above all else the question remains – does the product taste truly great?

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 36
ABOUT GREAT TASTE gff.co.uk | greattasteawards.co.uk | #greattasteawards #ISpyGreatTaste
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 34 TEA MADE IN AN ESPRESSO MACHINE! SUSTAINABLY RECYCLED AND REPURPOSED TO PRODUCE AN AUTHENTIC TEA LATTE! CAFFEINE FREE VEGAN FRIENDLY AUTHENTIC RECIPE ANTIOXIDENTS ALL NATURAL www.novustea.co.uk NEW! WINNER OF Available in 1kg & 250g Sustainable Pouch Filter Basket also available to buy @ www.novustea.co.uk
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 38 “IF IT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR TABLE, IT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOURS” HAND-CRAFTED PIE PRODUCER & ARTISAN BUTCHERY WYRE PIE COMPANY TENBURY WELLS PREMIUM PASTRY & BUTCHERY EXPERIENCE WWW.WYREPIECOMPANY.CO.UK | CONTACT@WYREPIECOMPANY.CO.UK | 01584 811196 www.vandykebrothers.co.uk
Quality, consistency, reliability, every roast, every day, every cup.
The Old Slaughterhouse, Marine Terrace North, Cromarty IV11 8XZ Colombia El Vergel “Guavabanana” Tin Roof Tuesday

White Sourdough Bread

800g

Ed Baker

The sourness from the three-day fermentation was so “moreish” that the judges had to stop themselves devouring the entire loaf. “A beautifully crafted loaf, with a crisp crust, perfect rise and soft, open crumb,” they said. iamedbaker.com

Premium Fine Puff

Pastry

Dorset Pastry

“This is a great ready-touse product that we defy any chef to make better,” said the judges of this prerolled frozen pastry, which puffed up beautifully during cooking to deliver a light, airy, buttery end product.

dorsetpastry.com

Namine Bread

Karaway Bakery

Drawing on its Baltic and Russian heritage, this family-run bakery has mastered the art of rye bread, evidenced in this well-baked loaf with a crisp crust, even sprinkling of caraway seeds and soft, airy crumb.

karawaybakery.com

Organic Fine Puff Pastry

Dorset Pastry

“It’s hard to know how to fault this,” commented one judge. “What you have is feather-light pastry that crumbles, almost melts in the mouth, and leaves a rich, buttery taste that quietly subsides.”

dorsetpastry.com

Seeded Sour

The Bakery

Heralded as “a true champion of a sourdough bread” by the judges, this loaf brings together all the elements of a classic sourdough: craggy crust, sour aroma, well-structured crumb and nutty flour. 108thebakery.co.uk

Premium Shortcrust

Pastry

Dorset Pastry

“Beautifully aerated, overtly buttery, with perfect salinity and a suggestion of sweetness”, was how the judges described this, adding: “We couldn’t believe we were eating plain pastry and going in for seconds.”

dorsetpastry.com

Lindsay’s

Apple, Mincemeat & Marzipan

Pie

Tanglewood Kitchen

The judges found lots to praise: “out of this world” pastry, “fruity and light” mincemeat, and fruit that has been marinaded in cider brandy to give a finish that makes you “scream for more”. tanglewoodkitchen.co.uk

Plant-based Croissant

Oliphant & Pomeroy

Flaky and evenly layered, these croissants showcase a mastery of laminated dough and the rich flavour left the judges wondering how the Buckinghamshire bakery had produced such a “stunning evocation of classic croissant” without butter.

oliphantandpomeroy.co.uk

Organic Hazelnut

Plantmilk

ReRooted Organic

This zero-waste plant milk now has even more to recommend it after passing the scrutiny of the panel with flying colours. The judges loved its creaminess and clean taste as well as the roasted nut flavours. rerootedorganic.co.uk

Honey & Walnut Cake

Karaway Bakery

As well as being a visual treat, with its impressive layers of honey sponge, this cake delighted the judges with its flavour, which balances sweet honey with tangy crème fraîche and crunchy walnuts.

karawaybakery.com

Tenuta Marmorelle

Panettone Infused with Vin Santo Liqueur

Tenuta Marmorelle

The judges marvelled at the layers of indulgence in this light panettone, flecked with soaked fruit. They admired the way “pops of boozy, malty, fudgy fruit add contrast to the gorgeous eggy slices”. tenutamarmorelle.com

Dark Chocolate & Sea

Salt

Churn & Chill

“The texture is excellent, rich and deeply creamy. The chocolate has deep flavours, and the salt adds a wonderful little pop of surprise,” said the judges, adding that the biggest surprise was that this is a vegan product. churnandchill.co.uk

Basque Cheesecake

La Maritxu

This “shining example of a Basque cheesecake” has a signature burnished crust and clean, creamy interior that takes the palate on a journey from zesty buttery cheesecake through to deep butterscotch notes. lamaritxucheesecake. co.uk

Rum Cake

Ismay’s Kitchen

As well as being full of deeply satisfying cake, the judges were full of admiration for the “different, brave and bold” statement this traditional Caribbean cake makes through its intense booziness and treacly, molasses taste.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 39 BREAD CAKES & PASTRIES
DAIRY-FREE
BAKING

Valerio/Carnevale

Stracciatella

C. Carnevale

Elastic mozzarella curds provide an enjoyable contrast to the smooth cream in this cheese, summarised by the judges as fresh, creamy, milky and rich, but with enough sourness to prevent it from being cloying. carnevale.co.uk

Caws Teifi Cheese

“How can cheese be indulgent yet refreshing?” asked the judges, marvelling at how this three day-old unpressed and brined cows’ milk cheese dissolves in the mouth to leave citrus freshness and salinity that is “really pleasing”. teificheese.co.uk

Lyburn Farmhouse

Cheesemakers

Aged for 8-12 weeks, this young cheese’s ability to flood the palate with a rich, creamy balance of flavours confounded the judges. “To achieve this level of complexity in a cheese this age is a feat of dairy magic,” they exclaimed. lyburnfarm.co.uk

Cropwell Bishop

Creamery

“This is a beautifully made and delicious cheese; the balance is absolutely spot on,” said the judges, also praising the spicy blueing and the creamy, sweet and crumbly curds. cropwellbishopstilton. com

Organic Truffled Benville

Hollis Mead Organic Dairy

This Brie-style cheese incorporates truffle without overpowering everything. “The rich creamy flavour of the cheese is perfectly matched by the intensity of the truffle,” the judges noted.

hollismeadorganicdairy. co.uk

Durrus Óg

Durrus Cheese

This small, washed rind cows’ milk cheese was a big hit with the judges on many counts, not least for its “moreish and satisfying” deep savoury flavours and soft melting rind delivering a hint of earthiness.

durruscheese.com

Cornish Yarg

Lynher

Wrapped in nettle leaves, this distinctive cows’ milk cheese exhibits a creamy mouthfeel and bright vibrant flavours. “Clean on the palate with a good balance of richness and lactic tang,” was one judge’s verdict. lynherdairies.co.uk

Admiral Collingwood

Doddington Dairy

The buttery texture of this semi-soft cheese, washed in brown ale, releases a “well judged” flavour profile rich with calcium lactate notes. The slight bitterness of the ale adds a further “very enjoyable” dimension. doddingtondairy.co.uk

Darling Howe

The Torpenhow Cheese Company

This white moulded cheese combines the “warmth and softness” of rich, creamy, dairy freshness with “honest meadow character”, contrasting with bold mushroom umami notes and a touch of acidity. torpenhoworganic.co.uk

Coronation Gold

Whalesborough Cheese

“Creamy, full-on butter with a tang that hovers on the top of your mouth releasing some moderate attitude,” was one judge’s take on this cheese that is washed in rum produced on site.

theartisanfoodvillage. com

Gorwydd Caerphilly Trethowan’s Dairy

When this traditional Caerphilly is presented at its peak, the paste just beneath the crust softens to impart “intriguing farmyardy undertones” and a mouthfeel that breaks down to reveal a “long crazy, lemony finish” that enthralled judges. trethowanbrothers.com

Simply Better French Epoisses PDO

Dunnes Stores

This version of the classic French washed rind cheese was billed by judges as “delightfully oozy with just enough structure to hold together” and its savourybut-fresh flavour wowed them as much as the long saline finish. dunnesstores.com

Mrs Bell’s Blue Shepherds Purse Cheeses

The judges loved the fresh, salty assault of this “subtle, complex, mellow and very moreish” mouldripened sheep’s cheese. “It refreshed our palates and brought a great raft of clear, bright flavours with a creamy mouthfeel,” they said. shepherdspurse.co.uk

Cacio Di Afrodite

Caseificio Il Fiorino

“Nuanced and impeccably made, it evolved into a thing of beauty,” effused the judges about this pecorino from Tuscany, holding it up as a “terrific example” of a well matured sheep’s milk cheese. caseificioilfiorino.it

Roussas Feta PDO Roussas Dairy

The judges loved the texture of this Greek classic: it cut well and had the perfect mouthfeel. “Firm, yet crumbly and completely delicious, this is a fine example of wellmade and cared for Feta cheese,” they said. roussas.gr

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 40 CHEESE
Stoney Cross Gwyn Bach Classic Blue Stilton Dairies Cheese Company
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 41 Wing Rib of Beef Rack of Lamb Antibiotic Free Loin of Pork Thick Cut Ribeye Steak Antibiotic Free Shoulder of Pork Rib of Beef
GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 42
www.blackwelshlamb.com baa@blackwelshlamb.com Farmhouse 01873 821387 Mobile 07720 039936 Purely grass fed organic hogget lamb, sustainably farmed on ancient Welsh pasture
Black Welsh Lamb
GB-ORG-05 EU agriculture Black Welsh Lamb, Pedigree, organic, pasture-fed hogget leg.

Roussas Galotyri PDO

Roussas Dairy

This sharp, salty, creamy cheese is one for true Greek cheese afficionados, with a finely balanced flavour profile that shifts between the tang of yoghurt, the savouriness of cheese and the freshness and sweetness of milk. roussas.gr

Queso Manchego Artesano DOP CuradoVillajos Agrovillaserra

The judges were astounded by the flavour this maker has achieved in under a year of maturation: it’s ripe, lightly acidic, sweet and buttery, with the freshest of milky finishes, clean and lingering. villajos.es

Queso Curado en Romero – “Villarejo Rosemary”

Quesos Artesanos

Villarejo

This would make a fine cheeseboard centrepiece. Taste-wise, the judges loved the contrast of the herby, woody rosemary with the lactic tang of the sheep’s cheese. quesosvillarejo.com

18% Sour Cream Green Pastures (Donegal)

The panel got quite animated about this glossy thick enriched cream, describing how it “tingles the taste buds with lactic loveliness, covering the tongue deliciously and picking up every taste receptor going”.

Organic Sheep Milk Yoghurt

Woodlands Dairy

This sheep’s milk yoghurt won the judges over with its smooth consistency, tangy taste and enticing sheen. “The flavour is exceptional, so clean with a citrus zing. It is so simple, pure and totally delicious,” they remarked. woodlandsdairy.co.uk

Queso Manchego

Artesano D.O.P. Curado

– “Ntra Sra de Fuentes”

Quesos Artesanos

Villarejo

Dry yet moist, intense in flavour, and milky on the finish with an acidity that lingers on the palate, this is a “superb Manchego” that deserves a podium place, according to the panel. quesosvillarejo.com

Tor White Lake Cheese

“Clean, sweet, gently acidic, beyond perfection”, said the judges of this “good looking” goats’ cheese from Somerset. The goat character is distinct but not overpowering, and they thought the paste was akin to biting into white chocolate. whitelake.co.uk

Sharpham Cremet Sharpham Partnership

This Devon-made goats’ cheese enriched with cows’ cream felt “ridiculously indulgent” to the judges, who also praised its balance and the peppery notes that come through on the finish. sharphamcheese.co.uk

Half Fat Crème Fraîche

Irish Yogurts Clonakilty

Sharp, sour, creamy, grassy, sweet and nutty like warm hay, this is a glossy white crème fraîche that showcases cows’ milk with its farm flavours – making a simple product exciting. irish-yogurts.ie

Raw Jersey Salted

Butter

Old Hall Farm

The judges thought this “wonderfully creamy and smooth” butter looked and tasted like it had come straight from the milking parlour, with its pale primrose colour, farmyard aroma and mellow flavour. oldhallfarm.co.uk

Rathkenny

Boyne Valley Cheese

This goats’ cheese is quite sweet in the centre and gets less so as you approach the rind, which the judges liked, along with the “fluffy” consistency, the warming nuttiness and the lasting tang. boynevalleycheese.com

Boyne Valley Bán

Boyne Valley Cheese

“This has a beautiful, creamy consistency with the most lovely blend of tangy, creamy and salty,” said the judges, of this “handsome” goats’ cheese, adding that the milky cleanliness on the finish left them reaching for more. boynevalleycheese.com

Campante

La Quesería de María

The smooth, creamy texture releases a pleasantly lactic aroma and “stunning” flavour, rich with all the character the judges would expect from a good quality goats’ milk cheese: bright citrus notes, great complexity and wellrounded length. laqueseriademaria.com

Buffalo Ricotta

Macroom Buffalo Cheese

Products

This creamy, classic ricotta took the judges on a journey of flavours. It melts in the mouth to release grassy, citrus, meadow notes that are clean, fresh, milky and delicate. macroombuffalocheese. com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 43 CHEESE
DAIRY
Pioneering artisan Spanish foods since 1988 Order from our sales team sales@brindisa.com / 020 8722 1600 FLAVOUR FUELLED BY FIRE Exquisite barbecue rubs & seasonings info@therustybbqco.com www.therustybbqco.com @therustybbqco wagtailkitchen.co.uk Outstanding Handcrafted Pies from the English Lakes
Steak & Blackstick Blue Pie

DID YOU KNOW?

This year, just 248 products (1.8% of entries) submitted to Great Taste have been awarded the top 3-star accreditation. Meanwhile, 4,088 entries were awarded a 1-star and 1,568 products were awarded a 2-star. Turn to page 24 to find out what the stars mean.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 45 JUDGING

GREAT TASTE PRODUCT JOURNEY

ENTER ONLINE

LONDON SE1

DELIVERY DATE & INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED

PACK & SEND PRODUCTS

GOODS RECEIVED, CHECKED & STORED

WELCOME TO DORSET

ARRIVE AT JUDGING VENUES

PRODUCT TASTED & FEEDBACK RECORDED

3-STAR PRODUCTS RECALLED FOR GOLDEN FORK JUDGING

2023

RESULTS PUBLISHED

GREAT TASTE GOLDEN FORKS & SUPREME CHAMPION ANNOUNCED

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 46 ABOUT GREAT TASTE

“Although clearly a gin, this has whisky-like complexities that astounded the judges. Juniper forward with clear earthy notes; the length of flavour is huge and the finish is exquisite. Well balanced and yet very spicy, this is an interesting, artisanal product of the highest caliber. ”

01398 323488 WWW.EXMOORDISTILLERY.CO.UK

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 47
E:
CAPREOLUSFINEFOODS.CO.UK
T: 01935 83883
sales@capreolusfinefoods.co.uk
DORSET COPPA
RETAIL CHEESE TRAINING LEARN | TASTE | UNDERSTAND | COMMUNICATE Our one-day course for anyone sourcing or selling cheese, delivered by industry and retail experts. Understand how cheese is made, how it should be stored and sold, gain skills to help communicate with customers and sell more cheese from a position of knowledge. To find out more and book a place on our 2023 courses, visit www.gff.co.uk/training +44 (0)1747 825200 @guildoffinefood

“This sambal has a wonderful, complex and inviting aroma. There were well-balanced flavours on the palate, with a perfect heat level. The texture was excellent, as the vegetables were not overcooked and retained their bite. There was a lovely long and perfumed finish. A store cupboard must-have!” - Great Taste Judge

WWW.THENOVICEKITCHEN.COM

Cremet Soft Goat’s Cheese

“This is a wonderful cheese... beautifully balanced and cleverly crafted.”

Sharpham Dairy has crafted the finest artisan cheeses for over 40 years, using rich milk from our own Jersey cows and neighbours’ goats. Proudly BCorp Certified.

@sharphamcheese info@sharphamcheese.co.uk sharphamcheese.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 49

DID YOU KNOW?

All Great Taste 3-star winning products were tasted and judged again by the knowledgeable judging panel to determine the Golden Fork trophy winners and the 2023 Supreme Champion.

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 50 JUDGING

TasTe The DoDDingTon Magic in every MouThful

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The fishermen use a “gozzo”, traditional fishing boat with a lamplight at the stern. This attracts plankton at night, who in turn attract the sardines. Fished exclusively on the Mediterranean coast using a net, this stress-free method is called “Pesca alla Lampara”. Once caught the sardines are hand-selected, cleaned with care, steamed for an hour before being packaged in a tin with olive oil. Giving a delicate, flavoursome taste. The sustainabiliry of the fish is respected. All packaging is 100% recyclable.

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GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 51
OLIVE OIL
SARDINES IN
52 “This has a comforting colour and texture, that delivers the most remarkable mouthfeel. and a nuttiness that you are gloriously grateful for… The judges loved this product” Great Taste Judges comments 2023 karobisghee.co.uk | karobi@btinternet.com | 07775717273 "Sara Saffron really is streets ahead of the game. Their saffron is of incredible quality - it infuses with the most incredible, vibrant colour and fragrance. It’s the best saffron I’ve ever come across." 2022 MasterChef UK Champion Eddie Scott www.sarasaffron.com/shop Use code: GT3STAR for 10% off +44 330 221 9800 Follow us @sarasaffronofficial Stock this year's ONLY 3-Star Great Taste Saffron by emailing info@sarasaffron.com

Single Origin Sao

Thomé Chocolate

Gelato

Di Meo’s Ice Cream

This velvet-smooth gelato, rich in dairy creaminess, is the perfect matrix for the Sao Thomé cocoa bean.

“There are fruity notes, but the complex nuttiness of the chocolate is the star here,” said the judges. dimeos.co.uk

Blackcurrant & Cream

Cherry Moo Luxury

Handmade Ice Cream

The tangy, sharp blackcurrant compote works beautifully with the rich, velvety ice cream, coming together to create a “thing of true beauty”.

“Give us the tub and we will be in ice cream heaven,” said the judges. cherrymoo.co.uk

Pistachio Ice Cream

Mauds Ice Creams

The judges found it hard to imagine how this could be improved, so enamoured were they with the way the thick, unctuous texture coats the mouth and delivers waves of freshly roasted pistachio. mauds.com

Pistachio Swirl Ice Cream

Morelli Ice Cream

This “indulgently creamy and undeniably pistachio” ice cream delighted the judges with its forward nut and cream flavours, which are not masked by sweetness but are enhanced by smooth Sicilian pistachio cream. morellisices.com

Sourdough Seeded Crackers

Claire’s Kitchen

“An exceptionally clever product”, the judges said:

“It’s beautifully seasoned, we could pick up the ferment in the sourdough, and the oil brings the flavours all together on the palate”.

claireskitchentaunton. co.uk

Clotted Cream with Irish Black Butter Ice Cream

Morelli Ice Cream

This melds rich dairy cream with the unique profile of Irish Black Butter while relaying spice alongside the burned sugar notes. The whole thing is “balanced, brilliant, utterly decadent and delicious”. morellisices.com

Di Meo’s Ice Cream

The panel congratulated the maker on letting the fruit sing in this intensely blackcurrant gelato.

“The fresh, sharp, zesty blackcurrants wash over the palate to deliver a rich creamy flavour that lasts and lasts,” they said. dimeos.co.uk

Gelato Licorice

Swoon Gelato

The judges applauded the crafting of a difficult ingredient in this innovative gelato, which they thought was fantastic for liquorice lovers.

“The powerful blend of sweetness and bitterness of liquorice were glorious,” they commented. swoononaspoon.co.uk

Pistacchio Rustico

Gelato

Raga’ Foods

The aroma of roasted pistachios gives way to a nutty taste on the palate, and the smooth and creamy-yet-grainy gelato texture adds to the enjoyment. “A delicious natural pistachio ice cream,” was the verdict. ragagelato.co.uk

Organic Empeltre Olives EVOO Zeet

The soft texture took the judges by surprise, as did the deep, rich, earthy flavour, leading them to describe these Spanish black olives as “cleverly capturing so much interest in every bite”. evoozeet.com

Flummery

Fabulous Ice Fires

Layer upon layer of flavours and textures, from vibrant fresh citrus to tangerine pieces and crunchy almonds, add complexity and interest in an “extraordinary” gelato, which judges said tastes like a summer holiday. icefires.london

Lemon Curd

Fabulous Ice Fires

This meld of yoghurt and citrus-noted curd was a revelation for the judges, who could have sworn they were eating indulgent cream-heavy ice cream rather than frozen yoghurt, owing to the “sublime, utterly creamy texture”. icefires.london

Natural Yogurt & Blackcurrant Sorbet Scúp Gelato

The judges luxuriated in the creaminess that coated the mouth and the tartness that filled the palate with an intense burst of fruit.

“We thought the balance of sweet and tart was perfection,” they said. scupgelato.com

This gelato cake is a vision of fresh, not too sweet, multi-textured sophistication. The mascarpone top layer is smooth and sweet, then the pistachio gelato underneath is astonishingly nutty with a hint of salt and sweetness. swoononaspoon.co.uk

Anchoas Hazas

These king-sized green olives look wonderful, with the anchovy fillet nestling in the pit hole. On eating, they unleash “an explosion of savoury, umami tastes that evoke both the sea and the smell of olive groves”. anchoashazas.com

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 53 SNACKS ICE CREAM & GELATO
Froyo Torta Siciliana Swoon Gelato Aceitunas rellenas de Anchoas Haza Lemon Crema Pure Blackcurrant Gelato

Lu Yu Honey Flavour

Black Tea (summer)

Lu Yu Estate

The judges agreed that the rich, sweet honeyed notes are at their most impressive when this single estate Taiwanese tea is sampled at 40°C. They branded it “an outstanding example” of a loose-leaf black tea.

Smaller Green

Leafhopper Honey

Flavour Black Tea

(Flower)

Junjie Lin Tea Garden

While bugs are usually a nuisance for tea growers, in this case, the plant’s reaction to the bite of the green leafhopper is what gives this large-leaf organic oolong its unique honeyed flavour.

Oriental Beauty

Archome Ent. Int’l Co.

This Taiwanese tea, distinguished by its sweet honey and fruity aroma, charmed the judges with its “delightful liquor”, which they found to be “sweet and peachy with notes of muscatel; almost hinting at Darjeeling”. yoosheetea.com

Sunrise Hike

Archome Ent. Int’l Co.

The “remarkable lily notes” in this lively oolong are certainly worth a trek up a mountain. The judges also noted that the leaves are well rolled and unfurl to reveal leaves of beautiful quality when infused. yoosheetea.com

Ching-Shin-Ming-Fun

With a sweet, smooth, floral flavour that sits somewhere between green tea and oolong tea, paochong is a light fermented tea. The judges felt its beautiful leaf and clear, bright liquor merited a top award.

Ching-Shin-Ming-Fun

The judges likened this loose-leaf single-estate Taiwanese oolong to a “spring garden”, describing the “bright, limpid, golden liquor” as “delicate but sweetly charming” and “gently persistent on the palate”.

Lapsang Souchong Tea

Rubins Cafe

Visitors to Harrogate eatery Rubins Café can witness first-hand the pleasing pine notes, distinct smoky aroma and sweetness that led the judges to conclude that this was “the perfect smoky tea”. rubinsfood.com

JING Assam Breakfast

Tea

JING Tea

The judges would happily wake up to a cup of this delightfully malty tea, which produces a coppery brew. They praised the “clear and pleasing Assam character” and “beautifully rounded liquor”. jingtea.com

Golden Treasure

Shiracha

Tea Repertoire

This Japanese green tea is made from the Hoshino Midori cultivar. The panel relished the opportunity to appraise such a rare tea and loved the way its delicacy was allied to a surprising level of umami. tearepertoire.com

Japanese Tea Shop

Shinryokuen

Tea drinkers can expect deep, rounded umami flavours and some marked sweetness from this rare Japanese green tea. While the astringency is firm, the judges were satisfied that the delivery is ultimately in perfect balance. shinryokuen.net

Traditional Chinese tea art meets modern simplicity in this blend of light oolong and chrysanthemum. The judges found that the rounded, rich, floral flavours were tempered by a pleasant level of astringency on the finish. yoosheetea.com

The judges thought this was a very clever meld, in which both the Masala Chai spicing and the black tea leaves are “equally assertive” and the bright, fresh cardamom and saffron have a chance to shine.

namastebydelhidarbar. com

Espresso

Novus Tea

This works as an espresso or a latte, with milk adding to the complexity and depth of fruit and floral flavours. “We love this new way of drinking rooibos,” enthused the judges, declaring it “heavenly with milk”. novustea.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2023 | 3-STAR GUIDE 54 TEA
Pinglin Paochong tea Pinglin Paochong tea (home) Maremono (Rare leaves) Novus Rooibos Grandad’s Masala Chai Namaste by Delhi Darbar Spring Blossom Archome Ent. Int’l Co.
WWW.OSUVINEGAR.CO.UK WINNER GREAT TASTE AWARDS www.whitewaterbrewery.com
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