Modern Food Producers: Today’s Scottish Enlightenment?
The Scots: still as proud, passionate and inventive as ever then. The proof was in the pudding, or actually on the stand. With so many new products and flavours experienced at this years Scotland’s Speciality Food Fair, I am blown away yet again by the adventurous, yet seemingly palate perfect flavour accomplishments that were showcased. I can’t wait to share these latest taste innovations with you when you join us on one of our eating and drinking gourmet journeys through Scotland or at one of our artisan tasting events. 
Take for example a fudge combination from Joyce Brady of the Wee Fudge Company that marries Jasmine Petal Garam Masala with Mango and Custard Apple. Out of the box incredible. Warm, spicy, fruity, balanced and moreish? Well but of course.
Great also to see a lifelong supporter of Tasting Scotland and one of our ‘this season’s crop’ stops (try saying that 10 times after a glass or three of Cairn O’Mohr’s fabulous Scottish sparkling Strawberry wine!) introduce two new products to their first class Summer Harvest rapeseed oil portfolio. 
White Truffle Oil can often be overwhelming, and more so when tried alone; but not so here. The fresh, light, asparagus tasting rapeseed oil stands up well with the combined truffle. The creation gives a distinctive product that will give many dishes an interesting gourmet edge.
As well as the truffle oil, a new oak smoked version of Summer Harvest’s signature oil has been released which will be put to the taste test at a Scottish premium produce tasting event we are holding on Saturday night in Edinburgh. Fairly sure it will receive the standing ovation it deserves.
I could tell you more about the best Scottish Malt Whisky liqueur chocolates I tried today (and indeed have ever tasted), but it’s rude to talk with your mouth full and there is a chance someone may think I have finished eating hence can delve into MY box. All I will say is you are in for a very special taste experience when you join us on the ‘St Andrew’s Gourmet Day Tour’. 
Pittenweem, a small, picturesque fishing village in Fife, most definitely packs an off the richter scale punch for its cask strength whisky liqueurs from a collaboration between the local chocolate company of the same place name and a Belgian chocolatier.
They sum up the enlightenment as a period of time in the 18th century of great intellectual and scientific accomplishments. Arguments about food being an art or a science aside, I can’t help but think there’s a hint of history repeating itself, only this time it’s the artisan producers who are most definitely making their mark.
Book now to receive 12.5% off our Gold+ Gourmet Journeys (up to 28th February 2014) and enjoy a taste of tradition intertwined with the best of Scotland’s newly released modern eating innovations.
