Charlotte's Larder

Here's a selection of utterly sensational products I love to keep in stock. They all make great presents, too.

Photo by Luisa Brimble on Unsplash

Having a stock of delicious ingredients to hand makes cooking so much easier. Thoughtful and useful food gifts are always so nice to give to friends and family, and these products are all ones I have thoroughly tried, tested, and loved.

I’ve written before about my love for good olive oil, but I must share some new recommendations with you. Finca La Barca smoked olive oil is lovely. I have also tried this great Organic Greek Olive Oil from Odysea, which is excellent and available from Sainsbury’s.

I try and have a little milk kefir each day if I can, having been poorly for weeks over Christmas. In my opinion, it’s important to buy a properly fermented version, rather than the ones you find in the supermarket, which have had a powdered culture added. I find the flavour disappointing. Jess’ Organic Ladies, Hollis Mead/River Cottage and Daylesford are all lovely, and available through the Co-Op, Ocado or Pipers Farm. Nettlebed Creamery is excellent, but only available from their Oxfordshire site.

I gave up buying supermarket, big-brand honey when I found out what really goes on in the murky world of honey transport and adulteration. It’s so important to check that honey is pure, and buying from small, reputable producers is a way to ensure you’re getting what you want to buy. We recently discovered Glen Heather Honey in Scotland and have adored the selection of honeys we’ve had from them. This heather comb honey is a delight. A brilliant company producing wonderful honey. Brindisa sell some wonderful chestnut and orange blossom honeys, too, which also make great gifts.

We are all a little obsessed with ManiLife dark roast peanut butter. It’s SO good. It makes a sensational satay sauce, as well as being wonderful spread on to hot toast. The 1kg pot makes a fantastic gift.

A true favourite business in my wider family is Mr Vikkis, the Cumbrian chutney and sauce maker. If you enjoy chutneys and chilli sauces, then these are unlike anything else you can buy. We all adore their Indian-inspired chutneys and pickles in particular. The Black Lime, Banana Habanero, Hot Apricot, Mango Chutney, Tomato Nigella, Hot Gooseberry and Lime Pickle are all essentials in our house, and they’d make a terrific present, too.