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There comes a moment each August when the rhythm of the British kitchen begins to change. The exuberance of early summer softens, hedgerows grow heavy with fruit and orchards begin to offer one of the season's most understated treasures. Plums arrive quietly, without the fanfare that accompanies strawberries or cherries, yet they possess a depth of flavour and remarkable versatility that rewards anyone prepared to cook with the seasons. Their arrival marks more than another h

Penrhos Spirits, the small independent family-run craft distillery on Penrhos farm, today announced it has been verified by BLab to achieve Certified B Corporation™ status, joining a global movement of businesses meeting the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. To mark the occasion and celebrate saving 1 million wonky blueberries from going to waste, Penrhos is also launching its first limited edition ‘Wonky Blue

Associated British Foods plc has announced that it has completed its acquisition of Hovis Group Limited ("Hovis Group") from Endless LLP. The acquisition of Hovis Group and its combination with Allied Bakeries, the UK bakery business of ABF, will create a sustainably profitable UK bakeries business for the long term with an enhanced market position. The integration of the two businesses will commence shortly and is expected to deliver substantial operational synergies and eff

There are few vegetables that undergo such a remarkable transformation in the kitchen as the aubergine. Firm and almost austere in its raw state, it becomes something altogether different with heat. Roasted, grilled or gently braised, its flesh softens into a rich, silky texture that readily absorbs olive oil, herbs and spices, developing an almost luxurious depth of flavour. It is this remarkable versatility that has long secured the aubergine a place at the heart of Mediter

British raspberries are measuring up to 50% sweeter than usual according to growers, after a warm spell followed cooler spring temperatures. The raspberries this season are testing at sugar levels of 11 to 12 on the Brix scale, compared with average readings of around eight, the biggest jump growers have seen in years. The Brix scale measures the approximate sugar content of a fruit or fruit juice, with a higher Brix reading generally indicating a sweeter, more flavourful, an

Lidl GB has announced a £500 million sourcing investment in the British berry industry, pledging to increase the volume of UK-grown berries amid rising demand for healthy, home-grown produce. The investment reflects the value of sourcing contracts with British-based berry suppliers over the next five years, with the discounter signing new five-year agreements to give its suppliers greater certainty to invest and expand at a time of rising costs and unpredictable weather. With

As in so many kitchens, extra virgin olive oil is one of the most-used ingredients in Ottolenghi's. It goes into the pan before anything else, and it's usually the last thing a dish is finished with too: there at the start of a stew and the end of a salad, under the fish and over the beans, standing in for cream, for butter, sometimes for a sauce altogether. Ottolenghi has partnered with Citizens of Soil on an EVOO from the Tuscan and Umbrian hills - the same hills where Yota

Few vegetables capture the spirit of the British growing season quite so perfectly as the runner bean. For generations, their scarlet flowers have climbed bamboo canes in gardens and allotments across the country before giving way to an abundance of emerald-green pods that arrive with almost astonishing generosity. By August, they are impossible to ignore, harvested by the basketful and appearing on kitchen tables as one of the defining flavours of late summer. Too often dism

As major wildfires and outdoor blazes continue to scorch the UK, the NFU is warning they represent a stark reminder of the growing risks extreme weather poses to food production, the rural environment and the resilience of farm businesses across the country. Months of hot dry weather has left the ground like a tinderbox with large swathes of the country vulnerable to fire. The same story has been seen across Europe with the heatwaves causing devastating fires to break out in

Dina Foods marked its 30th anniversary in 2022 and today the London-based family business stands as a quietly formidable presence in the world of Mediterranean food manufacturing. Specialising in authentic, products ranging from artisan flatbreads and savouries to handmade confectionery, the company has grown from humble restaurant beginnings into a multinational supplier with a reputation built on craftsmanship, consistency and care. Operating from state-of-the-art facilitie

Tims Dairy is celebrating continued success as it has secured new accolades at the 2026 Great Taste Awards, further cementing its reputation for producing exceptional Greek-family dairy products. Tims Dairy has been awarded a prestigious 2 Star Great Taste Award for its Greek Family Vanilla Kefir, one of the highest honours presented by the internationally recognised Great Taste Awards. Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, the Great Taste Awards are regarded as the world's mo

September will mark the start of the new British apple and pear season, with growers predicting a harvest that will deliver great flavour and good supplies throughout the season. Following crop assessments across orchards in England, growers expect overall production to be around the five-year average. While this year’s crop is unlikely to be a record-breaker, growers say the eating quality could be among the very best for many years. Young apples and pears are continuing to

Blackberries carry a sense of adventure that few other fruits can match. Unlike the carefully cultivated crops that fill orchards and market gardens, blackberries often come from hedgerows, woodland edges and wild corners of the British countryside. August marks the beginning of this much loved season, and there is something genuinely exciting about the first blackberries appearing on menus and in kitchens across the country. Why August Is Blackberry Season Blackberry bushes

Beetroot holds a distinctive place among British vegetables, prized for its deep colour, earthy sweetness and remarkable versatility. August sees beetroot reach a particularly sweet and tender stage, offering kitchens across the country an ingredient capable of anchoring dishes across every course, from starters to desserts. Why August Is Beetroot Season Beetroot is sown in spring and grows steadily through the summer months, developing beneath the soil while its leafy tops f

August brings with it one of the most instantly recognisable sights of the British summer, rows of tall green stalks topped with golden cobs ready for harvest. Sweetcorn reaches its absolute peak this month, and there are few seasonal ingredients that generate quite the same excitement when they finally arrive on menus and market stalls across the country. Why August Is Sweetcorn Season Sweetcorn needs warmth and a long growing season to develop properly, which is why it has

Yorkshire Baking Co. has unveiled its fresh new look ahead of Yorkshire Day aiming to both strengthen its presence and support the exciting next phase of the cake brand’s growth. Rolling out across the ever-popular MEGA Loaf Cake range, the refreshed packaging celebrates Yorkshire Baking Co.‘s heritage while creating a stronger, more contemporary presence on shelf. The new design features an illustrated landscape, a prominent “Yorkshire’s Finest Cakes” seal of approval and th

Luke Consiglio, CEO of The Pantry, shares his thoughts on the world of food.

One million tins of baked beans will be produced for people facing food insecurity this summer.

As the UK faces unprecedented heatwaves, consumer spending reveals an unexpected shift in dining habits.

There are not many cheeses that can be thrown straight onto a hot grill without collapsing into a puddle, but halloumi has built its entire reputation on precisely that trick. Firm, squeaky and remarkably resilient under heat, it has become something of a modern British favourite, its ability to char beautifully on the outside while staying soft within making it a genuine crowd pleaser at barbecues and dinner tables alike. Halloumi's origins lie in Cyprus, where it has been m