Category Archives: Food Sourcing
26 Mar |
2026 Drink Trends |
If last month was all about food, then this month, it’s 2026 drink trends. Here there has been some good research done by Bid Food. It throws up some interesting challenges for traditional pubs as well as those, who might function as rooms for tea in their mass catering or restaurant establishment. So basically, anyone in catering!
Zebra Striping
The way we drink has changed considerably over the last 50 years. Drink-drive laws impacted on what could be consumed. While drinking at home became more common as a cheaper less risky option. Younger consumers are driving this further with a no/low alcohol trend. This is a long-term trend that caterers must not ignore. Research like CGA by Nielsen IQ noted that even more consumers chose these options last year.
It is not simply a case though of no alcohol at all. Rather it’s the increase of so-called zebra striping. This where customers alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Consumers say this keeps them in control of their alcohol consumption (55%) and helps them avoid getting drunk (44%). 41% are drawn to low and no alcohol options for their health benefits, 38% for their refreshing qualities, and 34% because they still feel like a treat.
Is this completely new? No, most of wine-growing Europe traditionally puts a water glass on the table alongside the wine glasses. What is novel is the deliberate choice is not simply water.
Simple Fruit Alternatives?
The challenge for all caterers is to find flavoursome alternatives that fit the zebra model easily. It needs to appeal immediately to being non-alcoholic, functional and hydrational.
While the offer of slice of lemon in your water is unlikely to suffice, it does point the way to sun-kissed fruit flavours that refresh the palate and implicitly feel to rehydrate. The immediate thought is tropical and global. Hence the growth of the likes of mangosteen, passion fruit and yuzu. Growing in 2026 are:
- Korean pear for strong hydration and wellness;
- pink guava for its simple colour, good for socials and sweetness;
- while Calamansi gives an alternative sharp citrus.
But perhaps there is another trend about to break? Hidden in the last few years by the increasing numbers of craft brewers and gin distilleries has been the growth of local producers of fruit-flavoured drinks. National names include Bradley’s Juice, Barn Farm Drinks, James White and the Berry Company. But have a look locally for the likes of Cotswold Juice Company or Day’s Cottage. Why? Because that also ticks the local feelgood box for the consumer.
Time for Tea
There are increasingly few homes that only have traditional brown tea in their cupboard. Partly as a result of picky guests, but also because the world of infusions has rapidly expanded beyond the traditional. Now there are a host of cold refreshing brews, exotic flavours and functional tonics. And that’s before we consider bubble tea that has seen a 20%+ increase each year in product launches in the last 4 years.
As with food, it’s a case of tradition meets global adventure with tea flavours. The familiar combines the adventurous and then adds to it with either indulgence or a nod to functional trends. The four flavours touted for 2026 are:
- Thai Tea – fusion of wellness and indulgence;
- Rooibos – caffeine-free and natural positioning;
- Oolong – premium heritage cues of vague recollection;
- Passion Flower – emerging, floral and globally inspired.
Now it’s probably time for a cuppa to mull over how to combine these 2026 drink trends with your business model for a profitable future.
Published Date: 26th March 2026
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Food Sourcing, Local food, News
Tags: Catering business, farm shop, Food producers, mass catering, Pubs, Restaurant
26 Feb |
2026 Food Trends to Consider |
As winter officially moves into spring and seasonal renewal comes to the fore, we usually look at the food and drink trends for the year ahead. This year, we’re going to take three bites at the subject. In this blog we’ll look at trends around food flavours; and next time drink. Lastly we’ll look at the trends for the wider industry in two months’ time.
We’ll share some experts’ views and projections. Some may be right, some will be wrong; and some seem to be stating what is obvious and/or contradictory. All are based upon research with chefs and consumers. Our aim is to allow colleagues to reflect on what they might offer to stay ahead in these difficult times.
Flavours for 2026
The global flavours trend continues to combine authenticity with boldness. It reminds diners of their travel adventures abroad to more exotic lands or their dreams. On trend, this year are the flavours from Malaysia, Korea, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela. Aside from the last, this reads much like the gap year destinations of the 2010’s! But it reflects the need for distinctiveness and difference.
The other continuing trend is the combining of spice with fruit and sweetness, the so-called “fricy” & “swicy” flavours. But flavour is no longer just about taste. It’s about experience, storytelling, and shareability such as:
- Crossbreed Fruits, hybrid flavours with built-in buzz. Half of global consumers say they seek out innovative flavours, while 64% are interested in trying flavour fusions and combinations. Crossbreed fruits answer that need. They blend familiarity with novelty and capitalise on built-in intrigue. Consider the likes of Pineberry, Tangelo, Melon Berry and the older blackberry/raspberry cross of the Boysenberry.
- Taste the Colour. This appetite for visual impact that look as good as it tastes, is being fuelled by social media and younger consumers. 47% of Gen Z saying they follow viral food and beverage trends. Pistachio perfectly captures this shift. Its vibrant green colour and indulgent profile have driven an almost 40% increase in UK product launches since 2021. Trending taste the colour flavours include ube, charcoal, black cherry and dragon fruit.
- Hedgerow Flavours tap into nostalgia, provenance and a growing desire for natural, authentic flavour stories. Again, significant growth in products and social media mentions since 2021. It goes against those who are tasting the colour but may fit more naturally for your style. These include flavours like damson; sea buckthorn; wild strawberry (nostalgia) and elderberry (health).
- Sophisticated Indulgence that provides affordable luxury and grown-up flavours. This is about quality ingredients, depth of flavour and treating oneself, not about showing off. Consider brown butter (rich bakery); dark chocolate (versatile); marcona almond (premium nut profile); and cardamom (sweet and savoury dishes)
2026 Food Types?
Not only are flavours coming to the fore, but also some specific ingredients have been identified as on trend for 2026.
- Cauliflower. Why, because of its versatility and fibre-richness. It is a main which works as a meat alternative or for vegetarian, plant-based and vegan diners or as sides like cauliflower cheese. Or it’s a carb-free alternative to rice, mashed potato or even pizza crust, especially useful for the gluten-free.
- Wild mushroom. Versatile, flavoursome and natural, wild mushrooms are on the trend towards plant-based and vegan foods, and foraged ingredients. They offer a variety of textures, umami flavours, and can carry a range of nutritional benefits. Again, a main or a side dish combining the known and the unknown.
- Miso caramel and salted caramel. These sweet and savoury flavour contrasts elevate dishes by adding depth, richness and complexity. Miso works well as a marinade or dressing. Whereas salted caramel tends to feature more on sweet treats or desserts and just keeps growing. Simple elevation.
- Hot honey. This scores on both chef surveys (46%) and consumers (30%) who both want to try in the next 18 months as a drizzle, topping, glaze, dressing or dip on all sorts of savoury dishes like pizza. Is this the new caramel?
- Pistachio. We can’t not mention pistachio, which grew from Middle East and Mediterranean cuisines and then was further boosted by Dubai chocolate. Where it will go this year? Who knows, but it’s not too late to join the crowd offering this.
Flavour goes to the core of all catering businesses. Considering the fit of catering trends with some perhaps minor additions, might be just what’s needed to increase the success of 2026.
Published Date: 26th February 2026
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Food Sourcing, News
Tags: Catering business, Hotel, mass catering, Pubs, Restaurant
27 Aug |
Who Doesn’t Love Blueberries? |
The UK eats 53 tonnes of blueberries annually. M&S makes more money from blueberries than from apples and pears combined. While Aldi sells 3 times as many punnets as bags of oranges. Yet blueberries were not sold in UK supermarkets until the 1990s, nor at all commercially until 1916! And with the UK crop surging to over 5,000 tonnes from below a 1,000 on 2009, they can be sourced locally.
What’s not to like?
Is it a coincidence that blueberries were one of the original superfoods in the 1990’s? They certainly went from being only included in muffins and other baked goods, to a fruit in their own right. Consider the options if you want to get the beneficial effects of the antioxidant anthocyanin. Would you prefer beetroot, red cabbage or blueberries? This might explain why the over 55’s particularly pick them.
Given they’re small and don’t need peeling nor leave fingers sticky, they’re also a hit with parents with young children. A great way to get some of their five a day without too many tantrums. Ideal in smoothies or the finishing touches as a topping, they’re in favour with young adults as well. This is why blueberries are in 58% of all UK fridges.
The UK Future
A quarter of blueberries eaten in the UK come from Peru, while 10% now come from the UK. Back in 2009 we struggled to supply 5% of a much smaller market. Driving this growth is the demand for premiumisation. Tesco value range is £9 per kilo, it’s finest over £13. The difference is size; 14mm diameter is the smallest allowed, while 18-22mm is where the premium sits.
The good news is British farming is responding with new growers and programmes to produce better more consistent growth at the times when there is a market lull in early summer. A downside is the need for pickers as mechanical picking can’t currently sort between ripe and unripe fruit leading to a loss of up to 20% of the crop. Yet getting pickers is difficult as it’s not a highly paid role. Given time there will be more premium British blueberries with better picking machines to meet the demand.
Opportunities
Both farming and catering are sectors under threat from rising costs and difficult conditions. Both need to adapt to feed the nation. Innovation and giving consumers more of what they want is key.
It’s also about exploring the different. After all the blueberry was ignored as a fruit until Elizabeth White noticed them growing well in the boggy acidic soil of her family New England cranberry farm and decided to cultivate them. Are blueberries on your menu and are they sourced locally from the UK? Why not seize the opportunity?
Published Date: 27th August 2025
Category: Blog, Food Sourcing, Local food, News
Tags: Food producers, mass catering, Pubs, Restaurant, schools
04 Feb |
Catering Food Trends in 2025 |
The catering world is an increasingly complex business. Some catering food trends in 2025 cut across the whole industry affecting all of AC Services customers. While others are specific. All will be affected by the increase in Employer’s National Insurance, when it comes in April. While only those serving alcohol will be affected by the changes in duty on alcohol in February. Together both impact on cashflow. Yet there are wider more positive trends that caterers need to consider for 2025.
Cashflow Challenges
The overall duty increase on alcohol averages at 3.6%. In more simple terms, red wine per bottle at 14.5% increases by 54p and gin 32p per bottle. The bad news for red wine drinkers, as calculated by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, is that this means an overall 98p increase in the last 18 months!
In better news, there is a whole penny off the price of a pint of beer and there is some small producer relief for microbreweries. But it’s questionable whether this will actually help the nation’s pubs survive. It’s calculated that to recover the increase in NI, the cost of a pint would need to increase by 30-40p per pint. The average customer won’t notice the penny off, but will surely recognise the rocketing price of beer.
Four Essential Catering Food Trends in 2025
One of the established leaders in market insight, Mintel, has identified these key trends:
- Fundamentally Nutritious. The emergence of weight-loss medications is redefining consumer perceptions of ‘food as medicine’. This changes the established order. Diners will now look at their food to provide added functional ingredients as well as meeting daily essential nutrient needs.
- Rule Rebellion. We are some way from only white wine with fish, but we are now at the tipping point where consumers are hungry for brands that help them ‘break the rules’ in food and drink. The menu with some challenges to established thought is becoming mainstream not only haute cuisine.
- Chain Reaction. Food supplies are getting increasingly disrupted by climate change and political whim- Mexican avocados are 25% more expensive in the US today than yesterday. These changes impact on menus. The industry needs to educate consumers to welcome and trust new ingredients and flavours and new origins for established products.
- Hybrid Harvests. Catering needs to make the case for how technology and agriculture work together to benefit consumers, farmers and the environment. An example would be vertical farms for salads.
Restaurants and Wedding Venues
Fork and Field Catering focus on weddings but the trends they identify apply and can be adapted for the wider restaurant sector:
Sustainability. Not a new trend, but worth actively promoting is using fresh, local produce which reduces food miles and ensures high-quality meals. Sourcing ingredients from farms that look after soil health, increase biodiversity, and reduce water usage is becoming increasingly important as regenerative farming trends higher.
Zero-waste initiatives. Many caterers use compostable serveware, and partner with local charities to donate any surplus food to those in need. Minimize waste further by repurposing leftovers and using “root-to-stem” cooking.
Plant-forward feasts. Caterers are embracing the growing demand for plant-based cuisine, crafting delicious and innovative dishes that celebrate seasonal produce. This also recognises that innovative plant-based menus can cater to all dietary preferences.
Interactive food stations. These engage guests and create memorable culinary experiences. Grazing tables are like charcuterie boards and allow guests to choose. For old-timers, this is not simply a rehashed buffet table, but taking the whole experience approach.
10 Quick Thoughts on 2025 Food Trends
Catering businesses are increasingly time-poor so here are 10 one-liners. For fuller explanations see Cater Food Buying Group:
- The demand for meatless menus will remain strong; focus on more natural proteins, such as more exotic mushrooms, seaweed or algae to stand out.
- Sweet and spicy condiments are great enhancers to old and new menus; embrace the Swicy such as hot honey, habanero jam or tamarind chilli chutney.
- Protein-rich, full of omega-3s and delicious – seafood from across the globe offers excitement and health benefits; seek out global recipes for attention-grabbing dishes.
- World flavours are inspiring creative combinations in the kitchen but, diners desire sustainability and locally-sourced ingredients so shout about what you’re doing.
- Vibrant and exotic fruits are set to take over in 2025; they’re eye-catching and tasty additions to any menu.
- Diners with allergies, intolerances and special diets increasingly expect a variety of thoughtful menu options; don’t play it safe, actively plan these options though wider ingredient sourcing.
- While the burrata craze has not completely subsided, other cheeses are poised like bocconcini- small, soft, round and creamy mozzarella spheres and great tasting cultured dairy-free cheeses.
- Coffee has a growing number of plant-based milk alternatives. Almond and oat milk lead, but there is a rising desire for cashew, hazelnut and rice milk.
- Gen-Z is the generation driving the ever-expanding alcohol-free market, but despite this, their taste for tequila remains; put spicy virgin margaritas back on the menu!
- Health-conscious consumers, and those with diabetes, are looking for more natural forms of sweetness in their desserts in 2025. Time to experiment with dates, prunes, honey and agave, and ingredients such as the incredibly sweet monk fruit – 250 times sweeter than sugar!
Year End Reflections ?
For AC Services Southern, it’s interesting to see what colleagues are suggesting will be the Catering Food Trends in 2025. We look forward to reviewing the winning trends at the year’s end.
Published Date: 4th February 2025
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Food Sourcing, News
Tags: AC Services, Catering business
01 Mar |
Food and Drink in Trouble |
Pre-Covid when AC Services Southern published a weekly blog, we ran a series on the food and drink in trouble in the world due to climate change and disease. We were reminded of these, last month, when the Economist published an article on how a “warming planet threatens the world’s favourite drug”.
Aside from the catchy attention-seeking headline, the article confirmed the changes that will be coming for coffee.
Healthy Food
Sadly, coffee is not alone as anyone trying to buy olive oil will know. Last year prices rose by over 70%. And this on top of hefty increases the year before.
Spain is the world’s biggest olive oil producer and accounts for 70% of European consumption and close to 45% of the world’s. It’s harvest typically takes place in October and November. With Spain in its second year of drought, 2022’s bad harvest has been followed by one of the worst on record.
Using alternatives will cut down on the agreed health-giving benefits of olive oil consumption. Sadly, this may become necessary.
Drug-connected Drink
Coffee is grown in over 70 countries. More than 2B cups are drunk every day. Caffeine is by some measures the most popular recreational drug. Directly and indirectly, it supports the livelihoods of some 125M people.
Again, global warming threatens the areas in which it can be grown. Brazil is the world’s largest producer. Yet in 70 years’ time, between a third and three quarters of its coffee-producing land will become unusable.
The bigger problem is that the most popular bean Arabica, accounts for 70% of the beans sold. It is incredibly fussy as to where it will grow- it needs temperatures to remain constant between 18-23°C. A solution would be to grow it higher up. In Ethiopia, some plantations are already 600m higher. But this solution only works to a certain height, given changes in soil and slopes which affect growth, survival and harvest.
The second most popular bean is Robusta. This is less fussy to grow but is known for its bitter taste. This does not go down well with coffee snobs, which is why most ends up in instant coffee.
While there are over 130 other coffee varieties, ramping them up to fit the Arabica void may not work. In part this is due to taste, but also to their abilities to withstand disease such as coffee-rust fungus or wilt. A bean called Excelsa with an equivalent flavour to Arabica was able to overcome the fungus threat and expanded widely in Africa in the 1910s-30s, but then was devastated by wilt.
Alternatives and Substitution
Many alternatives are now being considered to solve the coffee problem. Sadly, even if a winner is found it will be at least 10 years from selection to commercial production.
Unlike olive oil for many uses, there isn’t a simple substitution for catering colleagues. But as our company comic put it; the positive is they might no longer be in the biggest drug trade in the world!
Published Date: 1st March 2024
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Food Sourcing, Local food, News
Tags: Catering business, Food producers
25 Feb |
Is British Beer in Trouble? |
The Office for National Statistics confirmed last year what British beer drinkers have been complaining about for the past decade. Over the last ten years, the price of a pint has risen by more than 30%.
In May 2009, you could buy a pint for £2.81 and as of March 2019, the price was £3.67 on average. However, this varies from city to city: a beer in London was more than double in 2019 (55%) of the price of a beer further north.
A survey by St Austell Brewery’s Proper Job IPA also revealed that the perfect pint should:
- have a head of 9mm,
- be served in a ‘proper’ pint glass preferably at 5.30pm on a Saturday,
- with a partner or best mate in a beer garden accompanied by a bag of crisps and
- a singular lack of mobile phones!
Climate Impacts
However, this may all be academic in light of various issues encircling the brewing industry. The first is climate change: over the past few months globally we have seen severe drought, rising temperatures and epic floods. All have a substantial effect on barley yields worldwide impacting the supply used to make beer. They also affect all the other key ingredients.
Don’t think you’re safe if you drink wine…combining long-term records with global data, researchers have suggested that if temperatures rise by 2°C, the regions suitable for growing wine grapes could shrink by as much as 56%. Stoke that up by a further 2°C and 85% of those regions would no longer be able to produce good wine.
Tax Impacts
In addition, there has been an ongoing constant battle with the tax burdens facing the pub industry. UK Hospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls spoke about the issue of rising prices overall across the trade. She commented “costs continue to increase for businesses. So it is no wonder that the average price of a pint continues to climb. Even with the scrapping of the beer duty escalator, many businesses have no choice but to pass costs on to customers.”
Rise of Independents Affects Style
Also affecting British beer consumption is consumers shifting from mass-produced, low flavoured lagers from well-known, well-established beer companies to quality independent beers from craft brewers. A recent report points out a considerable growth of the no- and low-abv category. This registered a massive 381% sales increase compared to its market share only two years ago.
Traditional British beer styles such as mild, bitter and golden ale are experiencing challenges with overall production dropping from 14% in 2016 to 5% in 2019 and the percentage of featured producers brewing these styles decreasing accordingly, from 44% in 2016 to 31% in 2019.
Worker Challenge
Finally, the drinks trade has warned that the UK government’s announcement this week to deny visas to low-skilled workers is set to cause a massive challenge to the UK’s pub, bar and restaurant sector.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said the points-based immigration system would present significant challenges for the pub sector. She commented “many pubs rely on workers from overseas. So it is hard to see how they will cope with such fundamental changes coming into effect in just ten months. Pubs will especially struggle with the costs and complexities of becoming a sponsoring employer in order to take on staff from outside the UK.”
Published Date: 25th February 2020
Category: Blog, Food Sourcing, News
Tags: Catering business, Food producers, Hotel, Pubs, Restaurant
28 Jan |
Regional News Meat, Climate & Opportunity |
With the ongoing debates on climate change and with plant-based foods on the increase in terms of both popularity and availability; the meat industry is being vocal in explaining the “vital importance of livestock farming” to the South West region.
At a recent seminar, stakeholders heard from a panel of industry experts and farmers. They educated visitors on a sector often unfairly blamed for its contribution to global warming.
The seminar focused on long-standing reports that livestock farming involved a choice between food production and caring for the environment. This has long been a contested issue. As Jonathan Foot, head of environment at the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) pointed out, producing one kilo of beef takes a fraction of the water used to produce two pairs of jeans. He also highlighted the high nutritional value of meat.
Livestock Standards
NFU president Minette Batters said: “UK farming has some of the highest standards in the world both in terms of animal welfare and the environment…we need to encourage a return to whole foods.” The seminar also advocated the benefits of livestock resources to improve the quality of soil. This is becoming degraded but good soil equates to better crops. Livestock is also a source of natural fibres which will become more important in the move away from plastics.
Farmers in Wales are also having their say. This follows a statement by the UK Government’s Committee on Climate Change hinting at the need for taxes on meat and dairy products to curb consumption by a fifth. There is also the suggestion of increasing UK tree cover from 13% to at least 17% by 2050.
According to the Farmers Union of Wales; even if all UK food production ceased overnight, the carbon emissions of the country would fall by just 10%. Farmers believe that introducing such measures will simply increase Britain’s reliance on food imported from countries with greater carbon footprints. This clearly defeats the object.
FUW president Glyn Roberts commented: “as acknowledged by the Committee, switching away from UK red meat would increase the nation’s carbon footprint because we have some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of meat reared anywhere in the world.” In addition, farmers in the uplands of Wales argue that on windswept thin soils; only livestock rearing is suitable as crop production is impractical.
Moreover, the union stressed that plant-based foods aren’t necessarily more environmentally friendly. All manufactured food, it argues is very dependent on agricultural systems and available natural resources; as well as transportation and how far the product has travelled.
Give Us Your Food
Meanwhile, down in Devon, ‘imaginative’ stallholders and food sellers are being sought for the 2020 festival in Exmouth in May. The four-day event is the largest free festival in the South West and now in its 24th year.
An Exmouth Festival spokesperson said: “We’re looking for imaginative and customer-focused local food sellers, offering a wide variety of tasty choices for our hungry festival-goers to cater for their different tastes and diets”. Time to get your applications in!
Published Date: 28th January 2020
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Food Sourcing, Local food, News
Tags: Food producers, monthly news
13 Jan |
BBC Good Food Show Winter 2019 |
The Birmingham NEC played host to the latest BBC Good Food Show Winter from 28 November to 1 December 2019. Hugely popular and one of the most attended shows at the venue, the show was a triumph for exhibitors and visitors.
As usual, the Good Food Show presented a huge range of activities, from the Big Kitchen and Festive Kitchen to the BBC Good Food Stage and BBC Good Food Workshop. Visitors enjoyed the Travelsphere presents: A Taste of Italy & Croatia; CAMRA’s Great British Beer Experience and La Cuisine de Maille Tasting Theatre. While the new QVC Kitchen, featured host Katy Pullinger demonstrating top tips and hacks for mastering Christmas Day lunch. Real inspiration for perfecting the ultimate seasonal desserts and party food.
Food demonstrations from the country’s favourite chefs took place every day. These featured Rosie Birkett, Tom Kerridge, Rick Stein, Michel Roux Jr, Nadiya Hussain, the Hairy Bikers, Ainsley Harriot and Mary Berry.
Innovations
There were many innovative products showcased at the show, with Symphonia Gin making a big noise. Scientist Dr Ulrich Dyer distils his award winning gin in his County Tyrone distillery. The winner of the Irish Gin of the Year 2019 title, Symphonia No 1 Dry Gin was also awarded a silver medal in the prestigious International Wine and Spirits Competition awards and got two stars in the Great Taste Awards.
Staying with the Emerald Isle, Irish Black Butter has also received a number of awards and went down a treat at the Good Food Show. Irish Black Butter was thought up by Alastair Bell. He comes from Portrush and put together the innovative use of Armagh Bramley apples, cider, brandy and spices. Vegan and vegetarian friendly, the product is also free from dairy and wheat. The new Irish Black Butter Peanut Spread is a brand new product featuring peanuts.
Food Champions
The Pished Fish booze infused smoked salmon selection was chosen as one of the Food Champions at the show. Described as a “fillet of salmon that has been cured with high quality alcohol and botanicals and smoked in small batches over wood” the company offers the most diverse range of flavours. These range from Aquavit cured smoked Scottish salmon with beetroot, star anise and juniper berries to Augustus Gloop smoked salmon cured with blueberries and raspberry vodka. There is also one called the Designated Driver, with no booze, just cherry and juniper wood smoke
For those visitors who like their food spicy, Mr Vikki’s passion for Indian food and culture has over thirty products. While the company has won over 110 awards. From XXX Hot Chilli Jam to garlic pickle and Hell Hot Habanero and King Naga; Mr Vikkis also presents a Scotch Bonnet Fudge, not for the faint-hearted.
The BBC Good Food Show Winter yet again raised interesting ideas. It will return to the same venue in the summer.
Published Date: 13th January 2020
Category: Blog, Food Sourcing, News
Tags: Catering business, Pubs, Restaurant, Show report
29 Oct |
T’is the Season… |
There is a school of thought that advocates eating seasonal produce , this is an interesting dietary and ecological idea. As it reconnects us with food and the land and alerts us to the reality that different crops such as pumpkins, are produced at different times of the year.
It also cuts down on the carbon footprint of importing and transportation. So for us in the UK, this represents a viable option.
We live in a temperate climate but with the assistance of technology; we can grow many exotic crops in the UK which would otherwise perish in the climate.
It’s easy to follow this in summer as we can feast on a wide range of fruits and vegetables. We can literally eat the rainbow with a broad spectrum of colourful fruit and vegetables as possible. Think strawberries, tomatoes, radishes, blueberries, summer leafy salads; but as we enter autumn, much of the more delicate foodstuffs start to disappear. This is when the roots come into their own, with carrots, beetroot, potatoes, swede and parsnips; as well as the leafy brassicas such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale.
Going Back to Our Roots
And that brings us to pumpkins! It’s very nearly pumpkin time and luckily for those planning to spend hours of frustration carving a hideous and unrecognisable face out of a solid block of fruit for Halloween, the fruit is now well and truly in season!
Although the UK doesn’t have as much history with pumpkins as in the Americas, where pumpkins actually originated over 9,000 years ago, there is no doubt about the value of the fruit. In fact, worldwide, the production of pumpkins exceeds 27 million tonnes, with China and India the main producers.
Pumpkins are part of the squash family. When cooked, the whole pumpkin is edible from the skin to the pulp and seeds. The nutritional value is undisputed; a great source of potassium and beta-carotene, and containing minerals including calcium and magnesium, as well as vitamins E, C and some B vitamins.
Another root vegetable that has accelerated in UK popularity in recent years is the sweet potato. This is also about to come into season. With a creamy texture and sweet-spicy flavour, this food has become the norm on menus to replace the humble chip. And its nutritional value is also high, as it is rich in fibre, vitamins A, C and B6, and an excellent source of carbohydrates. There are two varieties and the orange-fleshed one is also rich in beta-carotene.
Other fruits and vegetables reaching their peak in autumn include apples, aubergines, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, dates, figs, turnips and marrow.
Pronounce It Keen-wah
October is harvest time for quinoa! Quinoa is fast becoming a staple food among vegans and vegetarians for its incredible health benefits. This is a bead-shaped grain with a slightly bitter flavour and firm texture, and unlike wheat or rice, quinoa is a complete protein.
It contains all nine of the essential amino acids and has been recognised by the United Nations as a supercrop for its health benefits from dietary fibre, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. It is also gluten-free. Initially grown in the Andes in South America, it was known for thousands of years as the ‘mother grain’. High in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, it is potentially beneficial for human health in the prevention and treatment of disease.
All of the above-mentioned foods are now grown successfully in the UK. Once considered exotic and relatively rare, they are now acceptable commonplace foods. At the risk of mentioning the B word, who knows how self sufficient we will need to be in future? The rewards of a seasonal food supply are exciting, especially with the contemporary emphasis on health and environmental benefits. After all, variety is the spice of life!
Published Date: 29th October 2019
Category: Blog, Food Sourcing, Local food, News
Tags: Brexit, Food producers, Pubs, Restaurant, schools
15 Oct |
Foods at Risk |
There’s been constant activity in the global media over the past few years regarding climate change and the effect that it is having on the food we eat. We may be in danger of losing some of the food we are familiar with; due predominantly to the changes that are taking place in our climate.
This year, the British brassica has been affected by unusually heavy summer rains bringing flooding to the UK’s main growing region for cauliflowers, Lincolnshire. Elsewhere, the record-breaking heat-wave wilted fields of cauliflowers across the whole of Europe. This left a shortage in not only cauliflowers, but also cabbages, broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
America’s organic apples, mostly grown in Washington State, are also in trouble. As is coffee, with at least three-fifths of current coffee species facing extinction, according to a recent study. More worryingly is the decline in wheat crops, a staple global food which is sensitive to temperature changes. Places like India could see a reduction in wheat harvests of between 6% and 23% by 2050.
Even the humble sushi roll is under threat. Japanese farmers are blaming warmer, cleaner seas for a decline in nori seaweed production. The nori production fell to its lowest level in 2018 since 1972, pushing up prices and decimating supply.
Maple Syrup
The 2019 maple syrup harvest has also been affected. According to The New York Times, 2012 saw production of maple falling by 12.5% overall due to an unusually warm spring. This impacts negatively on syrup production because the process depends on specific temperature conditions.
More recently, in 2018, production of maple syrup fell by 21.7% throughout Canada. The culprit was Canada’s warm weather during the winter with later than normal snow. Sugar content is determined by the previous year’s carbohydrate stores with sap flow depending on the freeze-thaw cycle.
The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers has even had to tap into its strategic reserves this year to avoid any shortages or price spikes for maple syrup. Quebec has put in place additional harvest areas to meet with high demands, and they are now being used widely.
From High to Low
In Vermont in America, sugar maple harvest has witnessed a renaissance in the 21st century following decades of decline. The revival comes as many Americans are turning their backs on refined sugars for natural products such as maple syrup, agaves and honey. Production of maple is now one of Vermont’s pre-eminent industries. In 2018, the value of Vermont’s maple syrup production exceeded $54.3M. This accounted for 38% of the maple syrup produced nationwide.
Producers are doing what they can to avoid any shortages; such as collecting the sap later in the season and introducing technological advancements. These cut down on traditional collection using buckets and replace it with miles of vacuum pump-operated tubing.
As Keith Thompson of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation says: “It’s not just about keeping the individual trees healthy, it’s about keeping the entire forest healthy.”
The maple syrup industry is currently keeping abreast of the problem. It’s initiating solutions to combat the inevitable changes in climate. It urges other industries to follow suit in order for our favourite foods to remain available. At AC Services, we thoroughly commend that approach.
Published Date: 15th October 2019
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Food Sourcing, News
Tags: AC Services, Catering business, Food producers, mass catering