In flavour-packed Kent, nature's bounty comes fresh from vine and hop, sea and land.
It may be the salt-marshes, it may be the wide expanse, but Romney Marsh lamb is renowned for its tender texture and taste. Also justifiably acclaimed are Whitstable native oysters; a succulent, tangy taste-of-the-sea.
Kent's so famous for seafood a whole species is named after its main port: Dover Sole is a firm favourite with foodies for its exquisite, delicate taste. Meanwhile, boat-loads of just-caught fish and shellfish are waiting to be sampled all along Kent's 350-mile coast.
Kent, the Garden of England, is also justly renowned for orchards ripe with apples, pears and cherries. Fertile soil, a benign climate and centuries-old expertise create prime growing conditions - no wonder the county boasts Brogdale, Home to the National Fruit Collection. As well as offering guided tours of the orchards, it also has the Brogdale Market Place, packed-full of locally-sourced meats, fresh veg and impossible-to-resist cheese.
Dotted with oast houses and studded with hop gardens, Kent is renowned for its rich beer-making heritage - it's also home to Shepherd Neame Brewery, Britain's oldest brewer; visit for tutored tastings and tours.
Other Kentish delights include Kent Crisps, made from potatoes from the gorgeous Quex Park estate. Macknade Fine Foods, near Faversham is an award-winning farm shop and food hall that proudly flies the flag for local-produced fare. As does The Goods Shed in Canterbury; a six-day-a-week Farmers Market and restaurant that's awash with Kentish produce. Foodari Direct delivers tempting local food, to your door, while Kent Farmers’ Markets helps co-ordinate almost 1000 markets a year, showcasing some 400 producers.
There are over 50 Farmers Markets located in Kent where over 600 producers sell their local produce. Learn more about Kent's Farmers' Markets here and see the map to find out which are near you and when they open.
And for a sure sign that the food you're about to eat is high on quality and low on food-miles, look out for the Kent Breakfast logo; a commitment that most of the produce has been sourced in Kent.
For more, including a searchable list of local producers, visit Produced in Kent
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