The rise of the vegan

You don’t have to look that far back to find a time when vegetarians were considered ‘unusual’ and vegans were a very rare find indeed.

But in the last 10 years, the number of vegans – who eschew all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs and honey – has risen by almost 250 per cent to 500,000 people.

And it seems like vegans are often in the news. Famous bloggers are covering the internet with recipes tasty enough to tempt even a passionate meat eater. Forest Green Rovers has become the first league football club where the sale of all animal products is banned. No meat pies for fans there!

Celebrities are happy to vocalise why they’ve gone vegan – and it’s not just Gwyneth Paltrow, but people like Brad Pitt, Alicia Silverstone, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, J-Lo, Tobey MacGuire, Pamela Anderson, Alec Baldwin, Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus and Michelle Pfeiffer.

There’s even plenty of vegan sportspeople to look to for inspiration – especially for those worrying the change may leave them lacking in energy or protein. They include Venus and Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Jermain Defoe, Phil Neville, and looking back a few years the medal and grand slam winning Carl Lewis and Martina Navratilova enjoyed meat-free diets as they competed.

Young people seem to be driving the trend in particular, with 40 per cent of vegans aged 15-34.

The reasons for going vegan vary – animal welfare, environmental concerns, wanting to lose weight or improve health, cost-cutting and just a plain dislike of the taste of animal products are all common reasons.

But, in reality, for some people the choice doesn’t have to be cut and dry. Some try to eat vegan during the week, and are a bit more relaxed on weekends. Others are vegan, except for the occasional egg provided by a friendly free-roaming chicken in a neighbour’s garden. Maybe you’d love to be a vegan, but you just can’t give up cheese – well then don’t. There are no hard and fast rules, and people should be able to eat the way that suits them without feeling guilty. In fact, the term flexitarian was thought up for people who are largely vegetarian but occasionally enjoy a bit of meat.

If you are vegan, or you fancy trying out some vegan products, we have plenty in store at Hunters of Helmsley. Create a fresh and tasty salad from our deli bar, or why not grab a carton of Yorkshire Provender soup? We also sell coconut and almond milk – we’ve tried them all and we think the best are the Rude Health range. Upstairs we have crispbreads and crackers, pastas and rices, pulses and grains galore, along with chutneys, oils, vinegars, spices, herbs, sauces, preserves – everything you need to zing up a lunch or add a splash of flavour to dinner. We have jars of antipasti and pickled veggie delights and products from around the world to try.

We even have a dedicated dairy-free section, which is full of snacks and treats – so there’s no need to miss out on a biscuit, cake or sweets if the mood takes you.

So, vegan, vegetarian, meat-eater, pescatarian, flexitarian – whatever best describes you, you’re sure of a warm welcome at Hunters. And we’ll always find you something to make sure you leave our door excited to get home and eat!

Foodie fibs

There was a recent bit of research out which revealed that millions of us Brits like to tell a little white lie now and then to appear more cultured than we really are.

According to the survey, which was carried out by MSC Cruises, these little porky pies included what books people have read, films they’ve watched and even where they’ve travelled, with one in five claiming to have been somewhere they haven’t. You better hope the person you’re speaking to on that occasion hasn’t really been there then!

But apparently quite a few of us are also fibbing about what foods we like to eat. Almost a third of Brits are making out they enjoy things they secretly hate, to make themselves seem like a foodie.

When we looked at the top 20 list of things they pretend to like, it turns out we actually do like pretty much all of it! (OK – personally, I’m not a big fan of oysters and sweetbreads aren’t my thing, but rare steak, smelly cheese and dark chocolate – delicious!)

So, the top 20 are:
1. Sushi
2. Dark chocolate
3. Rare steak
4. Quinoa
5. Oysters
6. Craft ales
7. Smelly cheese
8. Hot chillies
9. Avocado
10. Granola
11. Raw Vegetables
12. Sweetbreads
13. Kale
14. Korean food
15. Kimchi
16. Sashimi
17. Courgetti
18. Rye Bread
19. Bowl food (Congee)
20. Aged meat 

But maybe it’s because people aren’t trying the good stuff. Properly done sushi, a delicious Granola like the ones we stock from Yockenthwaite, a good quality Kimchi (Biona's)– we’re pretty sure we could change most people’s minds.

We reckon it’s possibly that people haven’t even tried some of these, but they’re wanting to appear up on current trends. Of course, it’s each to their own, and if you don’t like smelly cheese, a big slice of Stinking Bishop is probably never going to appeal. But why not go outside your comfort zone and try something new today? We’ve got lots of ideas and inspiration waiting for you….and we’re always happy to recommend our own favourites!

And next time someone tells you they’ve read War & Peace, watched Romeo and Juliet and visited New Zealand (which apparently are the top fibs told) maybe just have a question or two ready to see if they’re being entirely honest!  

Some like it hot

But just how hot is too hot? We think we have the answer…

The ‘world’s hottest chilli’ was unveiled at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Called The Dragon’s Breath chilli, it comes in at 2.4 million Scovilles (SCU), which is the measurement used to classify a heat of a spicy variety. As a comparison, that’s 200,000 SCU hotter than the current record holder, and if you are a fan of say, a Jalapeno, that would be around 2,500-8,000 SCU. So, if you imagine multiplying that ‘heat’ by about 400 and you’ve got an idea what it would be like!

Something tells me not many people will be rushing to try Dragon’s Breath as a raw snack, although I’m sure some true chilli lovers will be able to find a good use for it in their kitchens!

Here at Hunters we do like a bit of spice – and we have something for everyone, whether they’re nervous of trying anything too fiery or whether it’s a case of the hotter the better!

One brand we love is Rafi’s Spicebox. Rafi, who was originally from Hyderbad in India, had a talent for combining Indian and Malaysian flavours, which she passed on to her sons, who run the business today. The brand’s handmade curry mixes make for an absolutely delicious dinner idea, and beat a takeaway a million times over. The main meal packs, which include everything from a Balti and a Biriyani to a Goan Green or Malay Rendang Curry, feed 4-6. They include all the spices you need, ready blended, and you just need to add the relevant ingredients. Meaning you can tailor it to your own likes and dislikes!

The brand also offers side dishes such as Bhajee, Saag Aloo, Palak Paneer and Chana Masala. Everything you need to cook up a perfectly flavoured feast in your very own kitchen – and with the minimum effort! That’s our kinda meal…

Another brand we love is Granny’s secret. It’s well worth watching the video of their story on their website! They do lots of jams and juices but we love the Ajvar products best of all. The Avjar Hot, in particular, is a beautifully tasty product that goes with practically everything in our opinion! It’s a roasted pepper spread and it’s 100% natural, suitable for vegans and those following a dairy or gluten free diet. Every jar contains 11 roasted peppers, as well as seasoning, oil and vinegar – and, in the case of the hot variety, a bit of chilli. For those who like things a bit milder, there’s a plain version, one with tomato and spices and a green variety. “Sunshine in a jar” they say – and we agree!

So….as a famous girlband once said….maybe it’s time to spice up your life?!

The best job in the world

Last week we spotted an advert for a job which sounded too good to be true.

The Harris Distillery job description read: “Gin-Lover’s Dream Job: The Isle of Harris is Seeking an Ambassador to represent the spirit of a beautiful, remote Outer Hebridean island just voted Happiest Place in the UK. Best new job if you KNOW London and LOVE Gin. Get paid to spend time in bars and restaurants, be a Special Envoy traveling to the Isle of Harris.”

Well as job descriptions go, it’s a pretty good one! It reminded us of those jobs you sometimes see where you can become caretaker of a beautiful, remote tropical island, or to be an official chocolate taster. Jobs that sound too good to be true (and which they certainly don’t encourage you to focus on at school career’s days).

But then it got us thinking about our own jobs here at Hunters of Helmsley.

To be honest, I think we’re very lucky.

Firstly, we work in the beautiful town of Helmsley. It’s picture postcard pretty, with its babbling brook, imposing castle, beautiful architecture and surrounded by the breathtaking countryside of the North York Moors National Park. Every day we thank our lucky stars we’re based here. And not only that, but we get to work in one of the loveliest, Grade 2 listed, historic buildings slap bang in the town centre.

Secondly, we get to work in a business community which is really something very special. We helped instigate the setting up of Helmsley in Business almost five years ago, and now it has 60 members, a great website for the town (www.visithelmsley.co.uk ), and we even won the Best Market Town accolade at the Great British High Street Awards! But more than that, we have a great community, willing to support and look out for each other, working together for the good of the town. Put that together with the many fantastic local residents who support our local businesses, and again you could say we’re fairly lucky!

Thirdly, at Hunters we’re a pretty nice bunch. Even if we do say so ourselves! We have a good giggle at work, and a great team spirit. Who could ask for more than that?

But there is a final point. There’s all of the above – but also, we get to work with the very best food and drink in the region…country…in fact the world in some cases! And that is our true passion. We love bringing new taste sensations to our customers and encouraging them to try something new alongside the old favourites, which they know they’ll find on our shelves. We also get to scour trade shows and markets and keep our ear to the ground to find the newest and most interesting products and developments. Of course, we have to sample everything we sell, to make sure it’s only the very best we’re offering. It’s a hard job but someone’s got to do it!

So, lovely as that job advert sounds, we think we’ll stick where we are.

If you’re looking for a new challenge, have retail experience and you’re passionate about food and drink, we’re always keen to hear from people who might like to become part of our team! Drop us a line at contact@huntersofhelmsley.com

Getting the taste for something new

We’re always getting new products in store – it’s one of things we love to do, and it makes shopping much more interesting for our regular customers!

One of the perks of our jobs is visiting trade events, suppliers and producers, and finding out what new trends are coming, what new products are in development and what’s the thing that no one has yet heard of, but everyone will be after in a couple of months’ time.

But we’re not always that good at shouting about what’s new – and so we thought it was time to talk about recent additions to our shelves, fridges and freezers, and giving a heads up on what’s selling like the proverbial hot cakes.

If you’re a carnivore at heart, we get some great pork products from nearby Hovingham, including black pudding, gammon, pork slices, bacon, coppa and bresaola. Another great meat product is our frozen pates from Albion Artisan Foods. Great to keep in the freezer, ready for when guests come round, or you’re after a light and easy supper or lunch. All of them have a little twist - my personal favourite is the Chicken Liver Pate with Coronation Chicken.

With the weather taking a turn for the better recently, there’ll no doubt be more than a few barbies going on. Once you’ve finished the main course, how about treating yourselves to a barbecue marshmallow set from Mellow Mallow, or a Hamlet barbecue fondue, with deliciously indulgent Belgian chocolate? Makes the mouth water just thinking about it! We also do some delicious vegan marshmallows, and a range of dairy free chocolate, so no one needs to miss out.

Another sweet treat is the Choc Affair chocolate bars – with something for every taste. How about Mango White Chocolate or Blackcurrant and Liquorice Milk Chocolate for something different?

The plainest of meals can be zinged up with the right accompaniment. Some of our current favourites are of the pickled variety. Wild at Heart does a great range of Pickled Samphire, Kimchi and Sauerkraut. Healthy and delicious! If you fancy something with a creamy edge, how about Seaweed and Wild Garlic Mayonnaise?

Pelegonia is an award-winning Macedonian food range, and we love it. There’s antipasta such as grilled aubergines and zucchini, and traditional meze including Aivar, Luteniza and Malidzano, which are great on bruschetta.

If you’re in a rush, our range of ready to eat Freekeh and Quinoa make the great basis for an easy dinner. Healthy grains, which taste fantastic and are simple to serve – the perfect combination!

Of course, a great cook needs the very best equipment – and to make sure their food is shown off at its best! The stunning Stuart Clarkson range of oak accessories are flying off our shelves. Including everything from chopping boards and candle holders to coasters, there’s something very elegant and tactile about their simple design made in the very best wood.

If you’re looking for something to wash all that down with, how about SLOEmotion’s new Hedgerow Gin, full of infusions from around the farm. Not only does it taste delicious, but it comes in a very attractive bottle too.

Hopefully that’s given you some food for thought – we’d love to see you soon to show you more!

The Great British Sandwich-Off

Here at Hunters we’re not afraid to ask the big questions. And one which has been on our mind lately is…. can a sandwich predict the outcome of the General Election?

Well we’re about to find out!

With recent polls failing to predict everything from Brexit to the future president of the United States (who would have guessed how that would pan out?), we decided to conduct our own research into the upcoming general election.

So, next time you pop in for a bite to eat for lunch, you’ve got a serious choice ahead of you. We’ve introduced a range of sandwiches, with one representing each of the main political parties:

·        Conservatives – The Blue Bloomer, jam-packed with rare topside of beef, Harrogate Blue Cheese and Sloemotion Blackberry Ketchup

·        Labour – The Red Roll -  a tangy mix of Wensleydale with Cranberries, sweet chilli jam and juicy tomatoes.

·        Liberal Democrats – The Democratic Doorstop – a mouthwatering mix of pastrami, sauerkraut, mustard and Gruyere

·        Green Party – The Green Gourmet -  a fresh and filling combination of Villa Verde Gouda with Pesto, salad and green olives

·        UKIP – Pain au Purple – deep-filled with Smoked Applewood cheese, roasted ham and sliced pickled beetroot

As with all of our sandwiches, they are freshly made to order in store on a choice of white or wholemeal bread bun – and as always, about as deeply filled as you can get! (Sharing is a common scenario with our sandwiches, so it’s to be hoped your lunch buddy has the same political tastes as you). Prices range from £3.50 to £4.50.

We can easily sell several hundred sandwiches in a week, so it should give us a good idea of the region’s leanings.

Most exit polls seem to have gotten it quite wrong recently, and it’s getting trickier for anyone to predict how voting on any subject will go. So, we hope you’ll join in with our bit of fun to see which political party is leading the hearts, minds (and stomachs) of the public before the big day!

A comforting cuppa – the great British institution

Recently you may have noticed it was National Tea Day. We LOVE a good cuppa at Hunters…but then don’t most of us Brits? There’s something so comforting about a well-made cup of tea in a nice mug or china cup or even a takeaway cup or a travel mug. However it comes, it’s a national treasure.

We love it so much over 200 million cups of the stuff are drunk every single day by us as a nation. (although I probably have about five cups a day, so I contribute more than my fair share towards that figure – apparently that puts me in the top 25 per cent of tea drinkers.)

But there’s two things that that help contribute to a cup of tea being a really enjoyable brew, instead of just a mediocre one. First is the tea used. Loose leaf or tea bags, it’s got to be good quality. We love Twinings, Yorkshire Tea and Taylors of Harrogate. (we also have lots of herbal and fruit teas if that’s your preference – Pukka do some fantastic ones to help refresh and energise or relax and unwind.)

The second component of a great cup of tea is that it’s the right strength for you. Last week saw some research from Premier Inn that revealed the perfect strength of tea. You can see here for the colour chart that reveals that perfect shade of brown.

But surely everyone has their own personal favourite shade? And although the colour chart offers six options (from nearly black to bordering on never seen a teabag in its life), the beauty of tea is there’s a million different ways of taking it. And everyone has their own personal favourite in terms of strength, milk, sweetness and a biscuit to dunk (got to be a oatie biscuit in my opinion). There’s no right and wrong, it’s just not your cup of tea. Literally and figuratively speaking.

It’s quite funny that, despite the fact that we’re Brits so we don’t like to complain, we will happily tell someone their tea-making skills are terrible. Making a good cuppa is like a badge of honour – and arguments are taking place in offices and homes across the country right now on whose turn it is to put on the kettle.

It’s yours by the way – mine’s Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Gold with a splash of semi skimmed and no sugar. Thanks!