Blog – Bangers & Balls

09/07/2021

Freedom to Forage: Why is Foraging a Race Issue?

On a sunny morning, you might catch me out in the Cornish fields, filling my basket with wild edibles. I feel connected to nature and blissfully happy as I weave my way along the coast paths, stopping to pick rock samphire and sea cabbage. For me, foraging is a hobby, a fun day out. I […]

30/06/2021

Foraging Fairy Tales: Elder – North American Folklore

When I think of Native Americans I am guilty of being influenced more by old cowboy films than real life. In my mind I see feather headdresses, redskins and peace pipes. I also hear the very haunting, smooth montage music as my ‘Indian Brave’ is at one with nature and sending smoke signals across the […]

28/06/2021

Elderflower Turkish Delight: The Ultimate Sweet Temptation?

I’ve loved Turkish Delight ever since reading Narnia as a child. It sounded almost too good to be true, and tasted even better. Inspired by the magical flavours of Elderflower, I decided to reclaim this sweet from the clutches of the wicked Ice Queen and create my own. You’ll find the recipe below- it’s almost […]

25/06/2021

Avocado – Why do you need to be able to handle a AR-15 rifle to grow it?

I remember the first time I had an Avocado. It was in Dubai with my father at the Chicago Beach Hotel when I was 8 years old. I was sitting at the table swinging my legs and observing the expats who had travelled to Dubai to sup on alcohol. Alcohol that was illegal in dry […]

23/06/2021

Unbelievable Elderflower Legends from the Emerald Isle

“He saw fuchsia in a drizzling noonThe Elderflower at Dusk like a risen moonAnd green fields greying on the windswept heights.” Extract from Glanmore Sonnets by Irish poet Seamus Heaney Let me give you a sneak peak into the Eldertree folklore passed down to me by my Irish mother Mona and Great Uncle Harry and […]

22/06/2021

Shark Infested Custard Creams: Britain’s Most Dangerous Biscuit

During this morning’s meeting, a bleary eyed Xanthe wandered into the kitchen, eager to see why on earth her parents were talking to their computer, rather than playing with her (a mystery indeed). Her eyes lit up as she spied treats on the table- a pack of custard creams. “Can I have a biscuit?” she […]

18/06/2021

The Shocking Truth about Italian Olive Oil and the Mafia

If I told you that the Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil perched on your kitchen counter had probably come from the Mafia, you might look at me like I was crazy. Crime lords swapping hard drugs for fine foods doesn’t really seem that believable. Shootouts in shady olive groves, and dodgy deals behind dairies takes […]

11/06/2021

Is Foraging harmful for the environment?

Myth: Foraging is harmful to the environment and not sustainable and should be avoided for both personal use and commercial gain. The Wild Food trend continues to grow in the uk, with more and more restaurants and supermarkets offering foraged foods to their customers as the demand for delights like wild garlic, ceps and elderflower […]

09/06/2021

Foraging Fairytales: Elderflower- Friend or Foe?

Elderflower season has arrived! As with many things in this peculiar year it’s a little later than usual, but we don’t mind. It’s a delight to have the queen of British summertime gracing our fields and hedgerows once again. To celebrate the return of Elder’s beautiful blooms, and the release of our bestselling first book […]

28/05/2021

Quails – The Shocking truth about the unregulated UK Quail industry.

Do you think that your Quail eggs come from Quail that have had a happy life? The shocking truth is that most of them are factory farmed in atrocious conditions. The vast majority of Quail are farmed intensively in barren battery cages or overcrowded barns. The European Union produces over 100 million Quail, but the […]