ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Explore the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

28 October 2014
GloucestershireGloucestershire

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½page
»









Sites near Gloucestershire







Related ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Sites


Ìý

Contact Us

Do organic foods taste different?
Organic food
Organic produce is becoming more available.

What do you think about organic food? Is it a must-have item or an unnecessary expense?

Gloucestershire food expert Robert Rees gives us his opinion.

Internet links
For information regarding nutritional differences in organic or non organic visit



Both these web sites also explain how organic production is monitored and enforced.


The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Fact file
+ Robert Rees is a self-employed chef and restaurateur from Bisley, Gloucestershire.

+ He is currently resident chef for Stroud Farmers' Markets, cooking seasonal and local fresh produce.

+ From 1993 until 2000 he ran a restaurant called The Country Elephant in Painswick.

+ Robert is a regular contributor to Central Television and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Gloucestershire.

Contact
Get in touch:
gloucestershire
@bbc.co.uk
PRINT THIS PAGE
View a print friendly version of this page
Talk to us and each other

If the history of our farming system had allowed us a chance for a much higher proportion of our farming culture to be organic, then perhaps we would be in a much more idyllic and healthier environment than we are now.

I don't wish to dwell too much on the pros and cons of organic food but must be clearly put on record that the majority of farmers in Gloucestershire who use pesticides and veterinary medicines do so with care and attention. Let's not tar all farming with the same brush.

These farmers only use them where and when really necessary and use them at levels far lower than the already recommended safety levels.

Organic veg
Farmers markets sell both organic and non organic produce.

Good practice is beginning to spread around the countryside and it is fair to say that the government and many in the industry are striving to drive down pesticide and medicine levels even further.

Another interesting point is that customers are often of the impression that farmers' markets only sell organic produce. In Gloucestershire that is not the case.

sell a mixture of organic and non-organic produce side by side quite clearly labelled and quite clearly in a competitive environment. If the quality is there the customer will dictate what is the best value.

These farmers work side by side, don't fight, argue or have pistols at dawn. They work together because they also trust each other and realise that there is a need in our society for both methods of production.

Farmers' markets sell produce that is accessible to all types of consumers of all backgrounds. Many food items are better value than other food outlets and also undeniably some are more expensive.

So what about the taste? Let's look at watercress, chards, apple juices, chutneys, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus and trout.

""I am not going to say all organic things taste better but they certainly taste different to their non-organic equivalents.
""
Robert Rees.

I am not going to say all these things taste better but they certainly taste different to their non-organic equivalent.

However it is also a matter of personal taste and what you are used to.

Take organic tea, for example. If you have been brought up on a well-known brand the organic version will cause a reaction likely to make you spit it out, simply because your taste buds are not adapted.

However, a simple meat and two veg dinner can be totally transformed and lifted by using organic produce. Here are some organic suppliers and eating places I recommend.

Organic Suppliers

Pumpkin Organics
01452 725775
Haresfield
Contact: Renee Cerf
A variety of fresh items as well as other foods from all over the world.

Global Organic Markets
01453 884123
Near Stroud
Contact: Andie Soutar

Amberley Vale Foods
01453 873400
Woodchester
Offers great gluten-free pork and leek sausages amongst other items.

Kitchen Garden Preserves
01453 759612
Stroud
Contact: Barbara Moinet
Provide some organic lines including a really tasty and delightful apricot and orange conserve.

Abbey ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Shop
01285 640441
They have an abundance of produce.

Kolisko Farm
01452 812322
Brookthorpe
They have a variety of food stuffs and they also do green-top milk.

Duchy Farm
01666 503445
Tetbury
Contact: Anne Cox
The most stunning seasonal organic foods with often so many old fashioned varieties that should be back on the menus.

Folly Acres
01453 763883
Slad Road
Stroud
Seasonal produce when they have grown it.

Newark Farm
01453 731042
Stroud
This is spud and a half - fantastic.

Adeys Organic Meats
01453 511218
Berkeley
Tasty organic beef sold by the most trustworthy and delightful staff. Also ask for a taste of the pancetta - yummy.

Shipton Mill
01666 505050
Tetbury
Can provide you with the flour if you wish to make your own bread.

Eating Out

Many restaurants and cafes offer organic options but many have yet to take the bold step and go the whole hog. Those I like include:

Mad Hatters Restaurant
Nailsworth
Simple, fresh and value for money served in an unpretentious manner.

Mills Cafe and Woodruffs Cafe
Stroud
Both offer a great environment and lovely daily options at sensible prices.

Organic Cafe
Stroud Farmers' Market
On the first and third Saturday of each month come rain or shine this cafe needs some beating. A family set up, work flat out during the market to provide soups, teas, cakes, ciabattas, crepes, and other delicious items.
Be prepared to wait sometimes for a seat because of its popularity.

Here though you can sit down and absorb the whole market with a prime seat. Look out for the mother and the most wonderful tea cosy hat during the winter months. Real value for money!

Don’t forget if you know of any others email me at ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gloucestershire Food and Drink.

For more local food and drink specialists see our Taste of the County page.

Ìý


FEATURES ARCHIVE

2005 Archive
Check out the 2005 Features archive for past stories from the website

2004 Archive
Check out the 2004 Features archive for past stories from the website

See also:
Gardening tips with Reg
Motoring with Zog Ziegler

Food and Drink
Community
A Royal County
Untold Stories


MUSIC & CLUBBING
Clubbing
Clubbing events
Come at Chemistry
FEATURES
Features link
The tsunami aftermath
People's War: Our World
Bored? No chance!
GOING OUT
Countywide theatre guide
Cinema listings
FILMS
Film link

Film review archive

CONTACT US

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Gloucestershire
London Road
Gloucester
GL1 1SW

Telephone (website only):
+44 (0)1452 308585

e-mail:
gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk


dotted line
dotted line




About the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
Ìý