Spice Drops

Published in WH Times January 2019

Sunny Kerala might seem very far away in chilly February, but Hatfield has a fascinating connection with the spice capital of the world. Did you know that award-winning food product Spice Drops is based here? Although the spices are grown in Kerala, the heart of the UK business is right here in Hatfield.

Spice Drops is a range of spice extracts, including red chilli, cardamom, chai, lemongrass, rose, ginger, cinnamon, mint, lime zest and turmeric. Spice Drops has won many Great Taste Awards and you can buy them in Sainsburys, Wholefoods and Ocado. You can also buy them in Aaroh in Hatfield town centre.

I met Gouri Kubair who runs the UK office, and she explained the family history behind the business, which was started by her grandfather. Gouri grew up in Kerala with her younger sister and parents, who grew the business. In 2013 Gouri left her job with Deloitte to bring Spice Drops to the European market. The company in Kerala is a good local employer, with long-term working relationships with local farmers. Over 80% of the workforce is women, many of whom were disadvantaged.

I was surprised to learn that you can add Spice Drops to all sorts of recipes: cakes, coffee, tea, cocktails and of course to add flavour to main courses such as stir-fries, risottos, curries and stews. The rose flavour is very popular for baking, and is more intense than rose water. You could add cinnamon to baking, coffee or porridge, as Gouri suggests. Lemongrass is useful for stir-fries, and much cheaper and longer-lasting than fresh.

Spice Drops contain no added salt, sugar, artificial colouring or preservatives. They are gluten-free and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. The drops last for years, unlike dried herbs and spices. They have a growing fan base amongst well-known chefs including Nigella Lawson, Rachel Khoo, Tom Kerridge, Atul Kochhar and Cyrus Todiwala.

It’s a clever product, and an easy way for us to add flavour to our cooking, without the chopping, peeling and grating. You are also helping to support a local business, with international roots!

New Year, New You?

Published in WH Times, Jan 2019

There is a lot of information about eating at this time of year: veganuary, weight loss plans, juicing, 5-2 diets, marathon training plans… but what many of us need is just some sensible support and advice that is tailored to us. We are all different, after all, with different needs.

I have been following Deirdre Swede on instagram; she is based in Welwyn and I like her sensible, real-life approach to eating well. I got in touch with Deirdre to ask if she had any advice for our readers this January.

Deirdre has been a Registered Nutritional Therapist for a year, and offers relaxed, one-to-one support as well as group workshops. She is very easy to talk to and her focus is on helping you to feel great, more energised, and to make small, positive changes if you need to. Deirdre told me that we tend to focus on what we need to cut out, but her approach is to make sure we eat enough of what our bodies actually need. “So many of us beat ourselves up about what we eat; I think we should focus on what we do well”, she explained.

In January, Deirdre suggests eating plenty of warming and nourishing porridge, soups and stews. She mentioned that eating salads and raw foods can be a bit tough at this time of year. One tip is to treat yourself to a veg box delivery scheme; it is a great way to make sure you eat seasonal, fresh vegetables, including some you might not always buy, and will help you to “eat the rainbow”.

Deirdre also offers group workshops: her most recent was on hormone health and was ideal for peri- or menopausal women (basically most of us in our 40s and 50s!). At the workshop Deirdre spoke about how sleep and stress can have an impact on your health, and cooked beetroot dip, dahl, roast vegetables and soup to show how easy it is to get more vegetables and pulses into your day. The next workshop is planned for 11 February (19.15-21.30). You can contact Deirdre via nutrition@deirdreswede.co.uk and her facebook page has lots of ideas for eating well.

Datchworth Coffee Shop

Published in WH Times, November 2018

Pretty Datchworth is tiny, but incredibly well-served for good food, with The Tilbury and lovely Datchworth Coffee. The former Post Office was transformed earlier this year by owner Jas Newington and has a smart new look. I love the modern grey signage alongside the red phone box and post box. Inside is ‘industrial chic’ with exposed brickwork and funky lighting. There is an enclosed courtyard area at the back too which is very popular with cyclists and dog walkers (there are heaters if needed).

We popped in for lunch midweek and I liked the short, useful lunch menu including a soup, a couple of hot sandwiches and two salads. I chose the nicoise salad which was generous and I liked that the potatoes were freshly pan-fried. My partner chose a bacon, avocado and tomato melt which was served open and looked very appealing. The hummus and roasted vegetable panini sounds good too.

The cafe gets lots of regulars in for morning coffee and breakfast. Avocado on sourdough with eggs and bacon is very popular and you can also choose American-style pancakes, bacon baps and full cooked veggie and meaty breakfasts. The team use local suppliers including Bridget B’s for meats, Dawlicious ice cream and Tring Brewery, and their very good coffee is roasted in Hertfordshire by Campbell & Syme.

Jas’s home-baked cakes are a big draw, especially for the weekend cyclists, and we bought a slice of lemon drizzle cake to take home. You could also choose Bakewell tart, carrot cake, gluten-free chocolate brownies or freshly baked croissants.

Datchworth Coffee does monthly supper clubs, although you do have to get in quickly! November’s Winter Warmers sounds lovely, with hearty pies and sticky toffee pudding, but I’m afraid it has sold out! If you want to check out the menu for next time, pop in to talk to the team. They have an alcohol licence too.

Datchworth Coffee is open every day except Monday, and Jas told me that she has felt very welcomed by the locals. I think it is a great asset to the village.