Market Report - UK seasonal update 18 August 2014
In association with
Temperatures may be dropping but we have more than the start of The Premiership to keep us happy.
The UK game season is underway and wild protein can now be perfectly pared with fungi and flora.
Wild Mushrooms & Truffles
Continental girolles are still good, if a little past peak condition.
The mighty Scottish variety is our source of choice, and this is how we are biasing our buying for next week.
Bulgaria is producing excellent trompette and grey and yellow legged winter chanterelle.
Romania have good pied de mouton and splatterings of sliced fresh cep to guard against infestation issues until the season cleans up it’s act.
France are delivering some mousseron and Italian summer truffles are still strong and I predict a neat handover with Autumn truffles at some stage in September this year. The weather however may prove me wrong!
Add our year round exotic cultivated mushroom offering to this mix, and August is delivering a spectacular fungal treat for autumnal dishes.
Fruits
UK foragers are starting to bring the berries from the elderflower we so enjoyed in warmer months; they are also beating the birds to rowanberries.
Peaches and nectarines in all their various forms are still in good supply, as are cherries.
With cob nuts, quince, muscat grapes, charentais melons, black figs etc all in great shape I for one am living in the fruity moment rather than hankering after pears and blood oranges.
Vegetables
- Sea beet is back on the scene from the UK wilds to add a pungent iodine hit to fish dishes.
- Purple and golden cauliflowers bring vibrancy to dishes.
- Sweetcorn continues.
- Wild fennel and foraged pineapple weed pack a flavour punch.
- Baby veg and unusual beet varieties forge on.
Of course there is so much more to rattle on about. For a quick overview of our range I would recommend a visit to our premises in New Covent Garden Market.
Game Offering
A rapidly growing category for us, which we are proud to be associated with.
Young grouse are now flowing nicely and the word from dealers is that prices will drop fast this year.
We are busy supplementing our range daily with venison, hare, wild boar and wood pigeon for example.
The real abundance kicks off in early September when the partridge season starts.
Ambient Corner
My brother in law likes to drop one in his glass of fizz for an instant cocktail.
Other applications are the fun part of duck and game sauces, a cunning addition to a crème brulee or stuck on a stick and dipped in chocolate for an adult lollipop.
Our classic French griottines (morello cherry) in Kirsch come in a lovely Kilner jar.
As usual, this is just a smattering of what we have on offer. Call in on 020 7498 5397 to speak to the team about what other treats we have in store for you today.
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