Best East Midlands Foods
Shropshire Blue is a British blue cheese produced in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and is best described as a cross between Cheshire and Stilton. Shropshire Blue ages from 10 to 12 weeks and develops a natural rind that hides a creamy and smooth texture of the carrot-colored body with blue veining throughout.
The orange color comes from annatto. The aromas are strong and rich, while the flavors are intense, sharp, tangy, creamy, and full. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Pinot Noir or Riesling.
Pair with
Bakewell tart is a traditional dessert consisting of shortcrust pastry filled with fruit jam and a combination of sugar, eggs, ground almonds, and butter. The tart is baked so that it remains light and moist, and it is usually served warm, with a dollop of cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side.
The name of the dish is a corruption of the words bad (bath) and kwell (source), referring to the numerous wells that used to flow in the Bakewell area of Derbyshire.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Afternoon tea
Red Leicester (also known as Leicester) is a British cheddar-style cheese hailing from Leicestershire. This hard cheese is made from raw cow's milk. Underneath its cloth-wrapped rind, the texture is dense and crumbly. The aromas are rich, while the flavors are sweet, rich, and reminiscent of burnt caramel.
Back in the 17th century, farmers decided that the color of the cheese should show its creaminess and richness, so they started to color it with annatto, giving the cheese a reddish-orange color. Red Leicester usually matures from 6 to 9 months. It's recommended to pair it with full-bodied whites such as Muscadet and Vouvray.
Pair with
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Bakewell pudding is a traditional dessert consisting of a pastry base that is filled with fruit jam and a paste made from ground almonds, butter, and eggs. The first Bakewell pudding was created by accident at a local inn around 1860. It is recommended to serve the dish hot and pair it with cream or custard for extra flavor.
MOST ICONIC Bakewell pudding
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Lincolnshire sausage is a traditional sausage originating from Lincolnshire. The sausage is made with a combination of coarsely ground pork, sage, breadcrumbs or rusks, salt, and black pepper. The mixture is stuffed into natural pork casings (or sometimes sheep casings).
Some people add parsley or thyme to the mixture, but in that case it's not a traditional Lincolnshire sausage. These sausages are characterized by their open and chunky texture and the addition of sage, unlike the more peppery flavor of other English regional sausages such as Cumberland sausage.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
A multiple winner of the annual British Pie Awards, the world-famous Melton Mowbray pork pie is filled with the finest fresh pork meat which is chopped and seasoned with salt and pepper. When baked, the meat filling turns grey in color, just like roast pork, and it is particularly succulent.
Melton Mowbray pies are traditionally baked free-standing, without a hoop, which gives the golden-brown pastry case its typical shape.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF British Pie
Cote Hill Blue is an English cheese hailing from Lincolnshire. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is soft and creamy (sometimes even runny), with blue veins running throughout the paste. The aromas are strong, while the flavors are salty, sharp, smooth, peppery, and buttery.
It's recommended to use Cote Hill Blue in various dishes such as lasagne or baked potatoes. The cheese has also won many awards, including Super Gold at the 2014 World Cheese Awards.
Dovedale is a cylindrical, blue veined soft cheese made from cow's full fat milk from Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire, with a smooth texture and clean, distinctive flavor. It is ready for consumption after three to four weeks of ripening and is known as the mildest of British blue cheeses.
Dovedale goes well with figs and pancetta and baked in a tart, or used in Yorkshire pudding. Instead of being dry salted like most British cheeses, it is soaked in brine to add the sodium.
Lincolnshire poacher is an English hard cheese made with raw milk from Holstein cows. This cylindrical cheese is usually matured for 14 to 16 months. Its texture is open and smooth, while the flavors are strong, rich, fruity, sweet, and nutty.
It is recommended to pair it with beer or full-bodied reds and whites.
Red Windsor is a traditional cheese produced by Long Clawson dairy in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire. This cheddar cheese is made from cow's milk and it's laced with Bordeaux wine or a combination of brandy and port, resulting in a visually attractive marbled look, as well as a nice mix of flavors – there's the booziness and fruitiness of port and brandy and a creaminess typical of cheddar.
The rind is natural, and the texture is firm, creamy, and crumbly. It is recommended to pair Red Windsor with port and grapes.
Pair with
Best East Midlands Food Producers
Cropwell Bishop Creamery, situated in Nottinghamshire, England, is a family-run business with a history dating back to 1847. Renowned for producing Stilton cheese, the creamery operates within the specific geographic confines permitted to legally create this iconic blue cheese.
The creamery has modernized facilities which blend traditional cheesemaking methods passed down through generations with contemporary standards for hygiene and cheese maturation. The Skailes family, who have managed the creamery for three generations, emphasize traditional production techniques and strong community ties, employing many locals and sourcing milk from nearby family-run farms.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022, 2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018
BEST Cropwell Bishop Creamery Cheeses
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
BEST Bradburys Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023

International Beer Challenge - Best Lager up to 5%
2022
BEST Thornbridge Brewery Beers
Revival Rum is a distinguished British rum distillery located in the picturesque Northamptonshire countryside. Founded by James Singlehurst, a farmer with over two decades of distillation passion, the distillery was established during the 2020 lockdowns, embodying resilience and innovation.
The distillery employs traditional Caribbean methods, utilizing a copper double retort still and extended fermentation periods exceeding 40 days. This meticulous process enhances the rum's flavor profile, resulting in a rich, sweet spirit bursting with aroma and character.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024

London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST Revival Rum Spirits
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023
BEST Blue Monkey Brewery Beers
DropWorks is a British rum distillery located in Welbeck, Nottinghamshire, in the heart of England. Founded by Louis Hayes, the company is dedicated to crafting premium, modern British rum, aiming to prove that high-quality rum made in Britain can be accessible to everyone.
The distillery spans 17,000 square feet of production space, with an additional 8,000 square feet of barrel warehouse and a three-mile underground tunnel for barrel storage. This setup allows for extended and consistent aging in three distinct environments.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024

London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
BEST DropWorks Rum Distillery Spirits
Shivering Mountain Distillery is a boutique distillery nestled in the heart of the Peak District National Park, drawing inspiration from its breathtaking surroundings and the iconic Mam Tor, locally known as the "Shivering Mountain." The distillery is deeply rooted in its community, emphasizing sustainability and authenticity by sourcing local botanicals and employing local talent.
Specializing in small-batch, handcrafted gin, the distillery produces a range of premium gins that reflect the rich heritage and natural beauty of the Peak District. Each gin is crafted with precision using a copper Holstein still, affectionately named "Little John," symbolizing a connection to the area's legendary folklore.
AWARDS

European Spirits Challenge - Gold
2023
BEST Shivering Mountain Distillery Spirits
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold outstanding
2020
BEST Withers Gin Spirits
AWARDS

International Wine Challenge - IWC Great Value Champion Red 2014
2014
BEST Bottle Green Wines
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
BEST Manuka Doctor Honeys
Best East Midlands Food Products
Whole Blue Stilton from Cropwell Bishop Creamery is an exemplary British cheese with a rich, tangy flavor and a melt-in-the-mouth, velvety texture. This cheese is handcrafted using traditional methods dating back to the 17th century and is matured for about 12 weeks to develop its distinctive character.
Cropwell Bishop uses vegetarian rennet and fresh, local milk to produce this award-winning Stilton, which is recognized under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for authentic Stilton cheese. It is ideal for large gatherings as it typically comes in a whole form weighing about 7.5 kg, wrapped in wax paper to preserve its quality and flavor.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2021, 2018

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
Whole Beauvale is a type of blue cheese produced by Cropwell Bishop Creamery. It is known for its creamy texture and rich, tangy flavor profile. The cheese is crafted using traditional methods that have been refined by the creamery over the years.
It has a mold-ripened rind and is often described as luxuriously smooth and indulgent.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023

Global Cheese Awards - Best
2023
Revival Rum Pure Cane Spirit is an unaged, crystal-clear rum crafted in the United Kingdom. Distilled in a traditional copper double retort still, it utilizes a blend of high-grade cane molasses and Demerara sugar, resulting in a flavorful and light spirit.
This versatile spirit is ideal for various cocktails, notably enhancing classics like the Daiquiri. To prepare a classic Daiquiri, shake 50ml of Revival Rum, 25ml of lime juice, and 10ml of sugar syrup. For a twist, consider adding blended strawberries to create a Strawberry Daiquiri.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024

London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
Blue Stilton Half is a traditional British blue cheese made by Cropwell Bishop Creamery Ltd. This particular variety of Stilton is known for its rich and tangy flavor, with a creamy yet crumbly texture. It is typically characterized by its distinctive blue veins, which result from the addition of Penicillium roqueforti mold.
The cheese is aged to perfection to enhance its complex flavors.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023
AWARDS

World Beer Awards - Gold
2023

World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023
Philippines 92% made by Luisa's Vegan Chocolates is a dark chocolate product that features a high cacao content, specifically 92%. This chocolate is known for its rich and intense flavor profile, which appeals to those who appreciate the complexities of dark chocolate.
The product is part of Luisa's Vegan Chocolates' commitment to producing high-quality, vegan-friendly chocolate options.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2019
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2017
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2017
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.