Golden Fork from East Anglia

DOUBLE SCOOP

Alongside churning out 650 litres of über creamy fruit ice cream daily, Alder Tree is developing a plant-based range and taking steps to become more sustainable.

ALDER TREE’S MANAGING director Stephany Hardingham knows better than to change anything about the ice cream flavour that scooped a Golden Fork in 2020 and has gone and done it again this year.

“Our Brilliant Blackcurrant is still made with fruit, whipped cream and sugar, just as we made it two years ago and just as my grandmother used to make it,” says Stephany. “Like all our flavours it is fruity, zingy, fresh and creamy. That is because we use whipping cream rather than milk and it has a 38% fruit content - far more than you would normally find in an ice cream.”

All of the fruit Alder Tree uses in its ices is either grown on the Suffolk farm (in the case of rhubarb, gooseberries, damsons and elderflower) or sourced from within a 25-mile radius.

“We only use whole fruit - not purées or pressed fruit - that is how we get our vibrant colours and flavours,” says Stephany.

While there isn’t any margin for improvement with the recipe of Alder Tree’s flagship fruit cream ices, the company does see scope for improving its packaging; it is in the process of moving to wooden spoons for its 125ml tubs, as part of a sustainability drive.

“One of our main focus areas in the past couple of years has been improving the sustainability of our business,” says Stephany, who, as a former environmental consultant, is more than qualified to lead this initiative. Alder Tree has already been awarded the Suffolk Carbon Charter Gold for its efforts to date, which have included installing a biomass boiler for hot water and a 29 kVa solar system. In addition, the company has just finished reinforcing some roofs to accommodate more solar panels. “This will get us to the point where 80% of our energy is produced on site,” says Stephany. “Ultimately we would love to be carbon neutral, but we are a way off that at the moment.” At the same time, Alder Tree has been busy developing a plant-based offer. “We have been having a play with a plant-based vegan range. Our ethos of using only simple, natural, unprocessed ingredients has made this quite challenging, but we have some exciting trials in the pipeline.”

www.alder-tree.co.uk

WE ONLY USE WHOLE FRUIT - NOT PUREES OR PRESSED FRUIT - THAT IS HOW WE GET OUR VIBRANT COLOURS AND FLAVOURS. HOW TO USE:

Keep it simple with a traditional waffle cone. Or, if you’re feeling indulgent, pair with a dark chocolate torte.

NOUGAT: DARK CHOCOLATE AND HAZELNUT ★★

BEESTEE : WILDLY CHEWSOME NOUGAT

WHAT IS IT? Handmade artisan nougat made with pure honey and rich, natural ingredients. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? To be enjoyed as an indulgent treat or cut up and shared with a lucky group of friends.

www.beestee.co.uk

GOLD CHOCOLATE BONBON WITH DRY

INGREDIENTS ★

BELLA CHOCOLATE

WHAT IS IT? Gold chocolate bonbon filled with freeze-dried raspberries, honeycomb and chocolate crisp. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Eat, share or gift: the bonbons come in single flavour boxes or in selection packs.

www.bella-chocolate.co.uk

SPEYSIDE RASPBERRY GIN BAR ★

BRAEMAR CHOCOLATE SHOP

WHAT IS IT? Smooth dark chocolate bar filled with a raspberry gin, ruby chocolate ganache and a dot of raspberry gel. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Chocolate and raspberry are a well-known match. This bar elevates the pairing with small-batch Scottish Caorunn Raspberry Gin for a smooth, refreshing, and tangy result. OTHER GREAT TASTE AWARDS (2022): Passionfruit & Heather Honey Praline ★★

www.braemarchocolateshop.co.uk

BIRDS NEST BAKLAWA ★

CEDAR BAKLAWA

WHAT IS IT? Handcrafted shredded pastry wrapped in a bird’s nest shape filled with pistachio, baked and coated with syrup. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? A light sweet treat to have with a cup of coffee or tea.

www.cedarbaklawa.com

MARBLED MILK AND WHITE CHOCOLATE FUDGE ★

HANNAH’S HOMEMADE FUDGE

WHAT IS IT? Smooth and creamy homemade fudge with marbled Belgian milk and white chocolate.. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Enjoy it on its own. Perfect for sharing with friends, as a gift, as a table favour for a special occasion or an indulgent treat.

www.hannahshomemadefudge.com

ESPRESSO CARAMEL BON BON ★★★

T & M ARTISAN CHOCOLATES

WHAT IS IT? Handmade espresso caramel encased in single origin dark chocolate. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT? Perfect as an indulgent after dinner treat or as a gift.

www.tmchocolates.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW?

Great Taste is a truly global phenomenon. In total, 14,205 products were entered into this year’s judging process by 3,443 separate producers and suppliers. Across the entries, there were some 110 different countries of origin represented.