Good stuff and lots of it! Judith Schrut’s been to London’s first GO! Organic Festival and has the low down on some fine things to see, sip and savour we thought worth sharing with you. Enjoy.
I recently went along to London’s first ever organic festival in the wide eyed riverside oasis that is Battersea Park. GO! Organic Festival turned out to be a brilliant early autumn weekend of fabulous food, music, learning, inspiration and healthful fun, an opportunity to talk to producers and growers dedicated to the organic way of life and a unique chance to see, sip, sniff and sample more than 100 organic food, drink and lifestyle products. From beer, bread and burritos to strawberries, scent and skincare, here’s more on some of my favourites.
“We want to brew delicious organic beers and bring people together” is Stroud Brewery’s simple motto. And indeed they did, proudly hosting the festival’s popular beer tent. Over 25 organic beers were served up to thirsty GO!ers, from refreshing IPAs to malty rich stouts, showcasing the many quality organic beers in casks, kegs, bottles or cans available in the UK.
Stroud’s been going strong since 2006, brewing lip-smacking, award-winning beers from barley grown on local Cotswold hills, traditionally malted and bottled nearby. This was a fantastic opportunity to try its tasty range alongside beers from Black Isle Brewery, Hepworth’s Brewery, Little Valley Brewery, Atlantic Brewery, St Peter’s Brewery, Untapped Brewery and many others.
David and Jo Morgan started Real Organic Foods 15 years ago, and have been successfully creating all-organic, 100% scrumptious sauces, chutneys and conserves ever since. Their luxurious marmalades and jams are packed with rich, ripe fruit and their pasta, Indian and Thai Curry cooking sauces are made in small batches from the highest quality fresh veg, herbs and spices. I’m a massive fan of their Korma Sauce, a mild, creamy blend of coconut and coriander, delectable spices and a hint of ginger. And I’m certainly not alone: Great Taste Awards awarded Real Organic’s Korma a coveted Gold Star.
Real Organic Foods are available from independent shops and delicatessans and online at realorganic.co.uk.
Enchanted Plants Soaps and Skincare
Jemma Ricketts’ love of plants goes back to a West Country childhood inspired by her mother and grandfather, both passionate gardeners. Jemma combines pure, invigorating ingredients with her love and deep knowledge of herbs and flowers to create gorgeous handmade, natural and longlasting soaps and skincare. Her latest soap creation is an Autumn on a Rope Shower Soap made with a rousing blend of Cornish seaweed, spinach broccoli extract and lavender oil. Unlike most soaps I’ve come across over the years, Jemma’s are made with cold pressed organic plant oils generously scented with essential oils so they smell great and can be used right down to the last little bit.
Jemma’s original skincare range includes Lavender Eucalyptus Cleansing Balm, Cacao Adzuki Polishing Multigrain Mask and Rosehip Repairing Nightly Facial Oil. Her gorgeous blossom hydrating facial mist is a finalist in this year’s Beauty Shortlist.
Browse Enchanted Plants online or visit Jemma’s homely shop in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Ok, I admit to being drawn initially by the unusual name of this company. In fact, Lesbian Donkey is a small family business from the Greek island of Lesbos producing premium unfiltered extra virgin olive oil like no other. It’s cold pressed from the local valanolia olive and pays tribute to the humble donkey who has always played a vital role in local olive oil production.
Lesbian Donkey operates from the mountain home of the charming Spiros and Lina, with whom I shared a lively and informative discussion on the joys of pure Greek olive oil. As you can see above, Lina’s unique tattoo makes clear how much she truly lives the company values.
Pick’s has a longstanding, well earned reputation as caring and conscientious family farmers who live and work by their ethics. The business was started in 1999 by cousins Nicky and Tim, although the Pick family have been farming in Leicestershire since the 1600s. Their wide range of organic meat, poultry and produce are entirely free of pesticides, routine antibiotics, colours, additives and hormones. As well as organic chicken, turkey, duck, game and all kinds of meat, they produce premium organic burgers and sausages including lamb and wild rosemary and chili and coriander pork.
You’ll find Pick’s at various markets around London and the Midlands. They also run a popular daily farmshop near the family farm.
Divine Chocolate
Divine produce super delicious luxury chocolate using 100% Fairtrade cocoa from farms owned by the cocoa farmers themselves. They’ve just launched a wow-factor range of organic chocs with cocoa exclusively from São Tomé, a forest covered volcanic island off the African west coast. A cooperative of 20 small farmers from 11 villages produce the island’s excellent and distinctive cocoa, so much so that it’s earned the nickname Chocolate Island. Having tasted them all so you don’t have to, I can personally vouch for the yumminess of Divine’s five new varieties, particularly the lemon infused 85% dark chocolate bar and the crunchy cocoa nibs wrapped in 85% dark chocolate. Truly Divine!
GO! Organic’s huge success means organisers have already set the date for next summer’s festival. Find out more at Goorganicfestival.co.uk.
