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A GUIDE FROM

FEATURING ALL OF THE 3-STAR PRODUCTS FROM

GREAT TASTE 2026

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

WELCOME

DID YOU KNOW? Just 306 products – 2% of all

entries in Great Taste 2026 were granted 3-star status this year, among the thousands of entries across all categories, from producers spanning the globe

2026 was another year of growth for Great Taste, with submissions passing a significant milestone both in terms of volume and geography. reat aste s rigorous judging process managed by organiser the uild of ine ood was used to assess more than 15,000 products from 116 countries across the world. ver several months and across multiple locations, including in taly and reland , 800 judges took on the challenge of blindtasting each and every one. his e pert panel featuring chefs, retailers and food critics whittled the entries down to 4,286 1-star awards and 1,596 2-stars, while only 306 products received the coveted Great Taste 2026 3-star award. n this guide, we focus on that very highest award. ou ll find every single one of these products documented over the coming pages, as well as the judges verdicts on each item with plenty of variety from the and across the world. o search for reat aste award-winning products, try out the uild s directory by visiting gff.co.uk/directory.

Soft drinks 4 Tea 5 Coffee 6 Cakes & chocolate 9 Ice cream 14 Jam & marmalade 17 Spirits & liqueurs 21 Beer, snacks, pies & ready meals 25 Honey 26 Condiments & sweet spreads 28 Seasonings & spices 31 Oils, cooking sauces & pastes 32 Vinegars & charcuterie 34 Fresh meat 39 Seafood 40 moked fi 43 Dairy 49 Cheese 51

WITH THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

EDITORIAL editorial@gff.co.uk Editor: ichael ane Deputy editor: anwen awn- isco Art director: ark indsor

Listings compiled by: Nick Baines Judges images: Sam Pelly, Richard Faulks Product images: Tim Johnston PRINTED BY Blackmore, Dorset

ADVERTISING opportunities@gff.co.uk Sales director: Sally Coley Senior account manager: Becky Haskett Sales executive: Henry Coley

GENERAL ENQUIRIES Tel: +44 (0)1747 825200 info@gff.co.uk www.gff.co.uk Guild of Fine Food, Guild House, 23b Kingsmead Business Park, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5FB UK

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

PUBLISHED BY

The Guild of Fine Food Ltd

© The Guild of Fine Food Ltd 2026. Reproduction of whole or part of this magazine without the publisher’s prior permission is prohibited. The opinions expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER Whether you’re after stellar ingredients, seeking out exemplary traditional foods or ready for a voyage of discovery, this year’s roster of Great Taste 3-star products has it a . nd ou find t em a ere orted category. e egin t e round u refreshment

ome i uid

SOFT AND ALCOHOL-FREE DRINKS

Osmanthus Sparkling Tea Saicho “ he flavour is unbelievable,” said the judges when sampling this sparkling Oolong which has been scented with Osmanthus blossoms. “An enchanting floral bou uet leads into a rich, gently roasted tea character,” they said, “with nuanced fruit notes and a clean, assured finish.” saichodrinks.com

Cold-Pressed N°5 Koox Judges said this raw, coldpressed juice was, “cleverly made and executed.” Made using 100% organic apple, beetroot, carrot, lemon and aloe vera, they said it was “so well balanced and without any musty earthiness usually found in raw juices”. koox.co.uk

Sicilian Blood Orange & Warm Spices alcoholfree aperitif our o er inegar “The acidity and spice make it so refreshing,” was the feedback from judges on this raw blend of apple cider vinegar and raw honey infused with blood orange, cardamom, black pepper and cloves. “A fascinating drink with so much complexity.” our o er inegar .com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

TEA

Ureshino Tamaryokucha Tokunaga Seicha Co. This unique Japanese tea is picked young and steamed for longer than other varieties, resulting in a complexity that pleased judges. “Spinach and sweet pea pod notes meld with savoury umami and a touch of zesty bitterness.” japaneseteashop.com/en

Afternoon Honey Scented Black Tea Bag Doulily Judges found this tea to have “a profusion of woody, honeyed and sun-dried apricot notes”. As well as a soft, balanced bitterness, they praised its smoothness and natural sweetness, with a “delicate floral aftertaste”.

Pomelo Flower Oolong Tea Xin Kuan Tea Farm This Oolong tea is lightly fermented and scented with fresh pomelo blossoms. Judges said the brewed drink was well balanced and “has a smooth and silky mouthfeel and is a delight on the palate”. sktea.tw

Aromatic Wellness Tea Bags Xiuyu Tea House This infusion of herbs and Oolong tea was considered “an outstanding blend,” by the judging panel. “Brightly floral with pleasant hints of citrus,” they said. “The palate feel is rounded and the aromatics multi-layered.”

Hong Kong Milk Tea My Cup Of HK Tea Judges were enamoured with this Hong Kong milk tea, made using a blend of four types of Ceylon tea. “Each sip started with a treacle sweetness, before the tannin from the tea kicked in, giving the drink a lovely dry finish,” they said. mycupofhktea.co.uk

Organic Lemon Mint Marigold Tea 917 Farm “The aroma is seductive, sweet, aromatic and inviting,” said the judges about this organic Taiwanese infusion that includes marigolds roasted at a low temperature for 30 hours. “Refreshing and invigorating,” they added. 917.com.tw

Vanilla Buckwheat Tea Tabúcha This caffeine-free infusion is made with Tartary buckwheat, raw cacao nibs, and natural vanilla flavouring. “ he light brewed liquor releases a clean, natural, uplifting flavour with nutty notes,” said judges. “Well-balanced and refreshing.” tabucha.co.uk

Sichuan Chilli Chai Big Tea Teas As well as classic masala spices, both Sichuan pepper and Himalayan Timur pepper are used to deliver a Rooibos based chai-style infusion that judges felt was “comforting, invigorating, refreshing and soothing”. They concluded: “Very clever and very enjoyable.” bigteateas.com

Lakadong Turmeric Herbal Latte Blend Patkai Food This latte mix is made using Lakadong turmeric, a premium variety with a high curcumin content that’s grown in the hills of Meghalaya, India. “A vibrant and beautifully balanced blend,” said judges, “with each spice working in harmony.” patkaitea.com

HERBAL INFUSIONS

Cambrian Tea – Happy Balance The Cambrian Company Combining lemon verbena and saffron, this infusion was lauded by judges for its “stunning vibrant aroma rich with citrus notes”. They also enjoyed the bright notes of saffron and the lingering citrus flavour. thecambriancompany.com

MATCHA

Matcha organic Samidori Furukawa Seicha Inc. This organic matcha is rendered from handpicked first flush leaves that are processed and ground at a stone mill. Judges found it to be “rich, punchy and deeply umamiforward”. furukawaseicha.com

HOT CHOCOLATE

Sho Cha Amai Matcha Sho Cha This Okumidori cultivar matcha is from Wazuka in Kyoto prefecture, Japan. “Notes of seaweed salad open the palate, with rich umami and a fruity tannin balance emerging toward the end,” commented the judges. sho-cha.com

Kyoto Samidori Unsweetened Matcha Matchado This rare tea variety is native to Uji, Japan, and has been processed into a finely ground matcha. “The opening on the palate is almost intoxicating – powerful yet perfectly balanced umami, bitterness and sweetness with very low astringency,” was the verdict. matchado.co.uk

The Parlour’s House Hot Chocolate Blend The Parlour Single origin chocolates from Haiti and Jamaica are combined in this flaked hot chocolate, which judges declared “complex and delicious”. They also enjoyed the resulting drink’s “luxurious” body. theparlourlavenham.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

72% Extra dark hot chocolate flakes Knoops an artin is eru s first region dedicated to cacao production, which is where this single origin dark chocolate comes from. “Extremely high quality,” concluded the judges, who found it, “rich, indulgent and with a backbone of bitterness”. knoops.co.uk

COFFEE

Habesh Yaye Anaerobic Goods For You “A balanced yet complex coffee that keeps giving the drinker new places to go,” remarked the judges of this Ethiopian coffee that has been processed using anaerobic fermentation for seven days. “Leaves a lingering flavour that judges relish.” habesh.sk

On the Rocks Whiskey Coffee Iron and Fire Speciality Roast Coffee “Delightfully balanced, with perfectly melded bitterness, acidity and crème brulée quasi-sweetness,” said judges of this single origin coffee that has been rested in oak barrels formerly used for malt whisky, creating a “sophisticated synergy” of flavours. ironandfire.co.uk

Santo Coffee BM Caterers This single origin coffee from Brazil impressed the judging panel with “its smooth silky quality”. Described as easydrinking, the coffee was praised for its “complex profile of dark chocolate, stone fruits and nuts”. perkeecoffee.com

You’ve Got a Blend in Me Neighbourhood Coffee Company Judges applauded “the vibrancy and fruity clarity of this characterful espresso”, adding that it “shows impressive balance and intensity”. The blend of Ethiopian and Brazilian coffees was deemed “clean, focussed and bold”. neighbourhoodcoffee.co.uk

Espresso Lorenzo Coffee Care Ethiopian, Brazilian and Central American coffees all feature in this “fruity and intriguing” blend. “The flavour meets the palate with a bang,” said the judges. “Heaps of dark chocolate and roasted notes with a little wisp of smoke and some aromatic spice at the end.” coffeecare.co.uk

Candover Moon Roast Coffee This medium roast coffee blend of Peruvian and Colombian origins was declared “liquid Black Forest gateaux” by the judges. The panel admired the notes of milk chocolate orange and Morello cherry, as well as the “lingering zesty acidity”. moonroast.co.uk

Habesh Moderné Espresso Goods For You “The espresso delivers an inviting, juicy nose of fruity peach and citrus zest,” said the judges of this blend of two different Ethiopian coffees. “This follows through to the palate with a pop of currant acidity that mellows into juicy stone fruit, citrus zest and subtle florals.” habesh.sk

Bányai Cup of Excellence Geisha Bioprotective Best of Hungary This Costa Rican Geisha coffee has been fermented using yeast collected from the plantation. “A symphony of floral jasmine tea-like citrus peaks, and depths of tropical sweetness,” said the judges. “Super vibrant, tropical and fruity.” bestofhungary.co.uk

Brazil Amarelo Mantiqueira Exchange Coffee Company “A pop of balanced citrus acidity mellowing into a lingering dark chocolate and caramel finish,” was the feedback from the judging panel. They also praised the “earthy undertone” and the resulting brew’s soft complexity. exchangecoffee.co.uk

Ethiopian Gotiti Monsoon Estates Coffee Co This washed Ethiopian Yirgacheffe delivers “Bramley apple acidity and muscovado richness”, according to the judges who praised its “refreshing acidity, biscuity caramel sweetness and smooth luscious body”. monsoonestates.co.uk

Ethiopian Danche Monsoon Estates Coffee Co This naturally processed Yirgacheffe bowled judges over with “its long and elegant finish”. As well as commenting on its body and aroma, the panel also said it was, “fruity, floral and complex,” with sweetness and acidity in harmony. monsoonestates.co.uk

Kaawa Mpologoma Mwanyi Terimba Tasters hailed this Ugandan coffee, which has been naturally processed, as one of the best Robustas they had encountered in the judging room. They added: “Silky smooth, with bitter chocolate and roasted nut notes.” mwanyiterimba.co.ug

Limited Edition Colombia Decaf Baristocracy Coffee “Sophisticated and complex, exciting and wonderfully sweet,” remarked the judges of this natural process Colombian coffee that has been decaffeinated using the ethyl acetate process. baristocracycoffee.com

Disco Decaf Figment Coffee Company Limited Decaffeinated using the sugar cane process, this single origin Colombian coffee has “a wonderfully enticing cherry aroma”, according to judges, who were impressed with its “long, juicy, fruity finish with balanced bitterness”. figmentcoffee.com

Ethiopian Beloya Carbonic Maceration Nespresso-compatible capsule HC Management “Wonderfully full winelike aromas in the cup,” was the judges’ verdict on these pods featuring single origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe that has undergone a 10day carbonic maceration process. rcoffee.hu

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

When time is the ingredient

Pecorino Toscano DOP

Il Petroso Pecorino Stagionato in Grotta

info@roccatoscanaformaggi.com | +39-0575-1696205 www.roccatoscanaformaggi.com 2

Located in Tuscany: Via Puccini, 79 Arezzo and Via Della Tana, 33 Roccastrada (GR) GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

W I N N E R O F 9 G R E AT TAST E AWA R DS

i n c l u d i n g o n e 3 s t a r, s e v e n 2 s t a r s a n d a 1 s t a r

MURGH MAKHNI

CHICKEN JA L F R E Z I

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G OS H T SAGWA L A

ROGAN J OS H

P R AW N PAT H I A

D H A BA G OS H T

KERALAN BEEF CURRY

T R A D I T I O N A L I N D I A N FO O D

GHOBI M AT TA R

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D e l i ve r i n g G re at Fo o d . . .

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Since lockdown, Aktar has been on a mission to create incredible Indian food to showcase the variety of ﬂavours, generous portions and balance of spice that the local curry house has forgotten.

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

CAKES

Apple, Date & Hazelnut Mini Cakes (Vegan) Paul Rhodes Bakery inkorn flour is used to make these vegan cakes, along with Bramley apples, dates and spices. udges called them “an absolute visual treat”, while praising the soft and fluffy te ture and caramelisation of the apple. paulrhodesbakery.co.uk

DESSERTS

Triple Choc Brownie Melys “A deliciously grown-up treat,” said judges of this triple chocolate brownie made with white, milk and dark chocolate. “ he experience left us wanting more,” they said. “ ery decadent and all you want from a brownie.” melys.cymru

Yorkshire Brack Just Delicious It was the “pleasing homemade appeal”, that first alerted judges to this traditional cake made with dried fruit soaked in tea for hours. “ t would be simply perfect with butter, on its own, or with a little cheese.” just-delicious.co.uk

Simply Better Handmade Sticky Toffee Pudding Crown Dunnes Stores Our judging panel called this traditional date pudding “breathtakingly beautiful” and “a showstopper of a dessert”. hey also loved the fact it was “swimming” in caramel and toffee sauce. dunnesstores.com

Sweetie Shop Sour Cherry Macaron Anna Cake Couture “ he combination of te tures combine to deliver a fabulous mouthfeel,” remarked judges of these macarons, made with white chocolate ganache and reduced Morello cherry pur e. thisisanna.co.uk

Classic Basque Cheesecake La Maritxu “ his is an impressive and imposing Basque cheesecake,” remarked the judges. “ he te tures are beautiful and the custard creaminess of the centre is particularly satisfying.” he panel crowned it “just perfect”. lamaritxucheesecake. co.uk

All Butter Sweet Short Crust Pastry Dorset Pastry “We would be absolutely delighted to pass off this pastry as our own,” said the judges of this allbutter sweet short crust which is made in Dorset without preservatives. “ his is crisp, short, buttery pastry with a lovely snap.” dorsetpastry.com

Mincha Mincha Made using cream cheese, double cream and eggs, this Basquestyle baked cheesecake was billed as “super indulgent and delicious”. he panel enjoyed the “thick and creamy mouthfeel that releases a rich fresh flavour, full of uality dairy”. matchamochicafe.com

Specially Selected Wild Sage & Sauteed Onion Sourdough tu ng Aldi Ireland “A visually seductive stuffing that delivers on every level,” said judges of this sourdough-based stuffing, flavoured with wild sage and sautéed onion. “ erfectly judged herbs and flawless seasoning.” aldi.ie

CHOCOLATE

The Vel et Tru fle Passion Fruit & Mango The Highland Chocolatier “ his delivers a real punch of passion fruit flavour,” said judges of these truffles made using pur ed passion fruit and mango. “ echnically impeccable,” they added, praising their te ture. highlandchocolatier.com

The Vel et Tru fle Blackcurrant Ruby The Highland Chocolatier hese small-batch truffles are hand-tempered over two days and made using blackcurrants and citrusy ruby cocoa chocolate before enrobing in dark chocolate. “ his is a real treat for the taste buds, leaving the palate refreshed,” said judges. highlandchocolatier.com

Rosemary Caramel Isolina Chocolate hese decorated bonbon shells are made from 70% chocolate and filled with a caramel produced using fresh rosemary. “ here is a clear scent of rosemary,” said judges. “And the caramel carries it through, with a bitter edge that balances the sweetness.” isolinachocolate.co.uk

70% Chuncho Cacao from Koribeni in Peru Vigdis Rosenkilde AS his dark chocolate bar is made with Pura Blanco cacao from Piura in eru. udges declared it “stunning” and said that it was “velvet smooth”. hey particularly enjoyed the red fruit flavours. vigdisrosenkilde.no

70% Chuncho Cacao from Echarate in Peru Vigdis Rosenkilde AS “Complex and interesting,” was the feedback from judges, who found this 70% chocolate bar made from Peruvian Chuncho cacao to have “deep concentrated fruit flavours,” and a rounded, long finish. vigdisrosenkilde.no

63% Dark Chocolate Croithlí Whiskey Infused Coco Milis Using single origin Nicaraguan cacao, this bean-to-bar chocolate has been infused with Croithlí whiskey. he panel found, “notes of caramel, oak aging and almost sherried richness of dried fruit,” while also praising the chocolatier’s masterful e ecution. cocomilis.com

PATISSERIE

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

HOMEBAKING

This is Food and Drink. This is Wales.

Welsh Great Tastes 2026 With 169 Welsh products earning Great Taste status this year, including eight gaining the coveted 3-star award, find out more about how Wales is consistently serving up award-winning taste.

gov.wales/foodanddrinkwales FoodDrinkWales Food_Drink_Wales Bwyd a Diod Cymru | Food and Drink Wales 10

WELS262 Great Taste 3 star supplement PRINT.indd 2

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

17/08/2026 09:29

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Salted Cultured Butter · 200g

Mousse Di Latte

Squacquerone Di Romagna DOP

Stracchino Degli Angeli

Formaggio Castel San Pietro

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When taste matters. High quality fish from Finland.

Roast Smoked Salmon Fillet

Roast Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet

Stone Kiln Cold Smoked White Fish Fillet

Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet

www.perinnetuote.fi

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Stone Kiln Cold Smoked & flamed Salmon Fillet Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Salmon Fillet

Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Arctic Char Fillet Salmon Pastrami

ABOUT GREAT TASTE

WHAT IS GREAT TASTE? great taste is the largest and most

Since 1994, around 200,000 products have been put through this robust judging process. Each one is fastidiously blind-tasted by a selected panel of industry experts – including chefs, cooks, buyers, retailers, restaurateurs, food critics and writers – all searching for the stand-out products to be celebrated each year.

Great Taste offers a unique benchmarking and product evaluation service, leading to a 1-, 2- or 3-star award that encourages confidence and commercial success for quality food & drink businesses. This in turn generates a greater awareness for products locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, providing a platform for award-winners to be discovered and enjoyed.

All branding and packaging is removed from the judging room, so you can guarantee that their assessment is completely free from bias. Of course the judges take into account the texture, appearance, aroma and the quality of the ingredients, but above all else the question remains – does the product taste truly great?

trusted accreditation for food & drink producers across the world. It supports, promotes and mentors the people crafting fantastic food and delicious drinks in businesses large and small, giving buyers and food lovers in the UK and overseas reliable recommendations for great tasting products.

gff.co.uk/greattaste | @guildoffinefood #greattasteawards GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

ICE CREAM

Cantonese Ginger Root a arce oneta rti an ce ream “This is quite extraordinary,” remarked the judges of this ice cream made by infusing raw ginger roots into the cold milk for 24 hours. “The ginger presents so well,” they said. “Light and restrained in its fiery qualities.” a arce onetaicecream. co.uk

Pistachio Ice Cream ame i a on imited Judges felt it would be hard to top this pistachio ice cream. “A stunning colour with enticing visible chunks of nuts,” they said. “The nutty natural sweet character of the pistachios works in harmony with the quality dairy.” ri a .co.uk

Chocolate Guinness ude ce ream Judges said this was “a clever idea with a delicious outcome”, praising both its texture and the balance between chocolate and uinness flavours. he panel also enjoyed the “malty notes and ideal levels of sweetness”. ude .com

Cinder Toffee Ice Cream e ar our Judges labelled this ice cream “super indulgent”. The chunks of cinder toffee found throughout were deemed to be “well placed against the creaminess, with just a lick of salt on the lingeringly sweet finish”. t e ar our a en am.co.uk

Hazelnut Gelato Baboo Gelato “The intensity of the hazelnuts packed a huge punch and melded with the creaminess perfectly,” said the judges when sampling this gelato. “ he flavour is unctuous, luxurious, rich, authentic and perfectly balanced.” baboogelato.com

Pistachio Gelato rum e ato e ter This gelato is made with pasteurised milk and cream, with a powder-based form of 100% Sicilian Bronte pistachios. The panel found the te ture, “very smooth and silky, with a fantastic pistachio taste”. krumge atoc e ter.co.uk. co.uk

Pistachio Gelato no ake u ur e ato When tasting, the judges applauded the “remarkably smooth”, creamy texture of this gelato. They found it was the perfect foil for its rich, nutty pistachio flavour, “with well-judged sweetness.” no akege ato.co.uk

Belgian Milk Chocolate a iendo e ato Fine Belgian cacao powder and a Fior di Latte base made using homogenised milk and cream are used to produce this gently churned gelato. “A quite exquisite gelato that showcases the cacao powder to its full potential,” said the panel. “ e loved how adult this is.” ca iendo .co.uk

Bronte Pistachio Caliendo’s Gelato Produced with a Fior di Latte gelato base and 100% Bronte pistachio butter, this gelato impressed the panel, who said it had “a refined sweetness, great depth and gorgeous texture.” They added “ he gentle verdant nuttiness lingers long afterwards.” ca iendo .co.uk

Pistachio Swoon Gelato DOP Sicilian pistachios are used to produce this gelato. “There was a creamy mouthfeel, and the divine crunch from the nuts added texture,” remarked the judges. “We would quite happily devour a tub of this.” swoononaspoon.co.uk

Salted Caramel Gelato Swoon Gelato Sicilian Trapani sea salt is used in this caramel gelato that judges called, “delicious, creamy, moreish and well rounded”. They added “ his just delivered everything. he depth of the caramel with that little hint of savoury salt work in perfect unison.” swoononaspoon.co.uk

Saffron & Rose Water Panunzio’s Kitchen Gelati Italiani Featuring saffron from Lebanon and a delicate rose water infusion, this gelato was considered, “luxurious and special,” by the panel of judges. “The gelato is smooth and creamy and the flavour of the saffron is beautifully balanced with the rose water.” pskgelati.com

Dulce de Leche Panunzio’s Kitchen Gelati Italiani Following traditional recipes for Argentine dulce de leche, this gelato impressed judges for being “super-smooth”. They also enjoyed the “wonderful burnt caramel character”, and concluded that it was “decadently grown up”. pskgelati.com

Cremino al Caffe’ Panunzio’s Kitchen Gelati Italiani “This is sophistication on a spoon,” remarked the panel of this coffee gelato that has been layered with a Piedmont hazelnut sauce. “ he te ture is velvet smooth, the coffee is intense, the sweetness is perfectly judged. elato heaven.” pskgelati.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Ethically sourced cacao | Honest ingredients | Made in Donegal.

Please add 2025 Great Taste logos: 3 star 3 star 2 star -

Enjoy the rich taste and health benefits of sustainable honey! All of our honey is harvested directly from our bees, ensuring its purity and authenticity.

From Cacao Bean to Award-Winning Chocolate. Coco Milis, est. 2022, is an independent bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in County Donegal, Ireland, creating small-batch chocolate from carefully selected cacao and simple, thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

Organic Sumra Honey

Mountain Sidr Honey

Talh Honey

Our range brings together exceptional cacao, carefully developed flavours and a deep respect for the farmers, land and craft behind every bar. From our 3-Star Great Taste 63% Croithlí Whisky-Infused Dark Chocolate, created in collaboration with Croithlí Distillery, to our Espresso Dark Chocolate made with Donegal-roasted coffee, each bar has its own story and a focus on flavour and community.

Interested in stocking Coco Milis?

BEEWAYSARABIA.COM

For wholesale enquiries, stockist information and the full range: www.cocomilis.com | hello@cocomilis.com |

Full Natural Raspberry Fruit Puree

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

@coco.milis

SORBET

Pistachio Intenso Sorbet (Vegan) La Gelatiera “A fresh green hue and clearly visible pistachio pieces,” said the panel of this vegan creation. “It delivers delicious nutty, salty, roasted flavours that linger on the palate.” lagelatiera.co.uk

Passion Fruit Panunzio’s Kitchen Gelati Italiani “The creamy smooth texture releases an amazing flavour,” said the panel of this sorbet. “Tart, sour, fruity and delicious. The whole experience is sensational.” pskgelati.com

Passion Fruit Sorbet Fire and Ice “This highly fragrant sorbet has a velvety smooth ice cream-like texture and an honest, fresh, unadulterated passion fruit character,” said the panel of judges. “ hat sharp, bright finish is refreshing and luxurious.” fireandice a e .co.uk

Bakehouse Noir Bricknell Bakehouse This chocolate sourdough boule is made in small batches, hand-shaped, and fermented for 72 hours before baking. “The crust is delicious and we enjoyed flavour of the pain au chocolat-style interior,” said the judges. bricknellbakehouse.com

Panettone Milano Alto MiTo’21 “Beautifully risen, with a soft, burnished top and stunningly light texture,” said the panel of this highrise panettone. “It is well balanced, not overly buttery nor too sweet, with a nice bite to the quality orange peel and fruits.” mito21.com

SWEET SNACKS

JAMS

Loganberry Jam Dodger “Stunning, garnet-coloured jam with an inviting fruity aroma,” said judges of this jam made using Scottish loganberries grown by the producer. “Lip smacking,” they said. “ he flavour of the loganberries has been perfectly harnessed.” dodgerjam.com

TEA

BREAD

Blackcurrant Jam Wexford Home Preserves “The tartness from the currants sang out and left a wonderful balanced fruity sharpness that lingered,” remarked the judges on this handmade blackcurrant jam. “This jam really delivers.” wexfordpreserves.ie

Raspberry Jam Hembridge Organics This organic raspberry jam is made using fruit that is unable to find a place in the retail market. “Really fruity, slightly tart and not too sweet,” said tasters, adding that the raspberry flavour was “supercharged”. hembridgeorganics.co.uk

Apricot jam Lekvárda “Simply delicious,” said judges when tasting this apricot jam from Hungary. “Bright, clean, tart, and purely apricot.” The panel also praised its amber colour, delicate set and even texture that was “delightfully creamy on the tongue”. dunsztgyumolcs.com

Chocolate Orange Love Popcorn This caramel popcorn is coated in Belgian milk chocolate which has been subtly flavoured with natural orange. Judges liked the fact the coating was not sticky and found them, “bright and floral, balanced by the slightly bitter chocolate notes”. lovepopcorn.co.uk

CEREALS

BREAD Summer Citrus Marmalade Italian Orange Bitters The Artisan Kitchen Produced using sweet oranges, pink grapefruits, lemons and limes, this marmalade is finished with Aperol and impressed judges for being “zesty, perky and bright”. The panel concluded that it is a “grown up and innovative” preserve. theartisankitchen.co.uk

Seville Orange & Bergamot Marmalade The Artisan Kitchen “A lovely surprise in the mouth,” said judges of this marmalade made using single origin Seville oranges and fresh Calabrian bergamot juice. “ he flavour is off the scale,” they added. “A glorious marmalade.” theartisankitchen.co.uk

Chili Marmalade Talpe “This is packed full of real orange and vibrant chilli,” said the panel when tasting this marmalade produced using Maltese Valencia oranges. “A delight and truly unforgettable,” they said, “ he citrus flavour is sweet, rounded and soft.”

Piedmont Hazelnut Granola Tastelanghe “A very special granola indeed,” said the judges of this mix, featuring Piedmont hazelnuts that were considered “the highlight of the product”. tastelanghe.it

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Keo Romeat Dried Mango Bite 100% Srolanh Mango Co. These bite-size pieces come from Cambodian Keo Romeat mangoes that are harvested at peak ripeness, and gently dried to retain a soft chewy texture. “Beautiful fruit, preserved with skill and integrity,” remarked the judges. hesedcambodia.com

25% Sour Cream

Green Pastures Donegal is an award-winning, family-owned artisan dairy producer based on the edge of the village of Convoy, County Donegal, Ireland. Founded by John Molloy, the company combines traditional cheese-making craftsmanship with modern technology to create high-quality dairy products. Green Pastures is committed to using sustainably sourced milk from local family farms through its “Natural by Nature” sustainability programme, supporting both local farmers and a more sustainable future.

+353 74 914 7193 | info@greenpasturesdonegal.com www.greenpasturesdonegal.com GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Whipped Cream

30% Fat Soft Cheese

28% Fat Soft Cheese

28% Fat Soft Cheese with Stabiliser

Light Sour Cream

22% Full Fat Soft Cheese

15% Light Creme Fraiche

Buttermilk

Creme Fraiche 30%

Irish Low Fat Milk

18% Sour Cream

Fresh Double Cream Clotted Cream Greek Yoghurt

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

SPIRITS & LIQUEURS

Inverness Gin Great Glen Distillery his small-batch gin is made using Loch water and is vapour-infused with local botanicals. “There is a refreshing peppery edge to the spirit which rounds off the aromatics,” said judges, who found this to be a “very sophisticated gin”. greatglendistillery.co.uk

Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength Gin Highland Liquor Company “A punchy gin with a salinity that underpins a rich juniper foundation, on which the other botanicals comfortably rest,” said the panel, who said this navy-strength gin also has a “genuinely impressive” complexity and depth of flavour. highlandliquorcompany. com

The Original Islay Rum Barrel Aged 46% ABV The Islay Spirits Company Aged in oak casks previously used for maturing single malt Scotch whisky, this small-batch rum impressed judges with “coconutty, toasty sweetness underpinned with the smoky, oaky notes”. islayrum.com

Silvertear Vintage Birch Vodka Wild & Wonder Pure birch sap is used to produce this vodka, alongside birch leaves, buds, catkins and bark in the botanical mix. Judges commented: “A delicate sweetness rounds off the delivery beautifully, making for a quietly compelling celebration of the birch tree.” wildandwonderdrinks.com

Crema di Limoncello Paolo’s Liqueurs roduced using Amalfi lemon zest and organic Madagascan vanilla pods, this crema di limoncello was lauded for its “mouthfeel and sharp citrusy finish which cut through the richness of the cream”. paolosliqueurs.co.uk

The Norfolk PX The English Whisky Co. This aged Pedro Ximinez sherry is refortified with whisky and matured in oak for a minimum of eight years. “The whisky just whispers, while the wood loiters in the background,” remarked the judges. “It is just beautiful.” englishwhisky.co.uk

Damson Liqueur Forage Liqueurs Matured for more than a year, this liqueur impressed judges with its “rich stone fruit flavour and pleasant complexity delivered by the aging”. The panel also enjoyed the “welljudged sourness, preventing any cloying, and leading to a satisfying finish.” forageliqueurs.co.uk

Premium Red Williams Pear Palinka Szicsek Palinka “It’s soft and rounded like the fruit, and once stirred with ice it grows velvety and liquorous,” said the judges, when sampling this Palinka made from fresh Red Williams pears which are fermented, and double-distilled. szicsekpalinka.co.uk

Distillato di Pala di Fico d’India Santa Spina Fumigata Pala This spirit is made using cactus stems that are smoked over beech before being fermented. “The taste of the prickly pear is persistent,” said judges. “Balanced throughout by a gentle sweetness.” santaspinaspirits.com

Dispense Amaro Asterley Bros Produced using 24 botanicals including yarrow, dandelion, liquorice and dried fruit, this Italian liqueur also benefits from a “dash of Pinot Noir”. Judges praised its bitterness for being “rich, round and wholly enjoyable”. asterleybros.com

CIDER & MEAD

Orchard Premium English Vintage Cider Aldi Stores This 8.2% English cider is slowly matured from a single harvest and impressed judges with its proper “West Country character”. The panel found the sweetness and alcohol in balance, and said it was a cider “that keeps on giving”. aldi.co.uk

Cherry Mead Blue Jay Meadery “One of the very best meads we have ever had the pleasure of judging,” remarked the panel. “It delivers delicate, sharp, juicy cherries alongside beautiful warm floral honey notes,” they said. “The balance, flavour-journey and length on the finish are exceptional.” bluejaymeadery.co.uk

PLANT-BASED DRINKS

FRUIT PURÉE

Original Gluten Free Scottish Oat Milk Brose Oats “Intrinsically delicious,” said the panel. “The aroma of oats carries through to the flavour with real depth and natural sweetness,” they concluded, also praising the drink’s rich mouthfeel. broseoats.com

Raspberry Fruit Purée Full Natural Gastro Kft “Full on fruity, lovely acidity, and a good balance of sweetness,” declared the judges when sampling this purée, made using 90% fresh fruit. “It tastes like freshly crushed raspberries.” fullnatural.hu

Fresh Oat Drink Wild & Furrow “The creaminess is immediately apparent, coating the glass when swirled and delivering an intensely smooth, luxurious mouthfeel,” remarked the panel. “Simply sensational.” wildandfurrow.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW? In Great Taste 2026, 4,286 products received a 1-star award and 1,596 received a 2-star, while only 306

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

BEER

Orangutan NEIPA Missing Link Brewing Oats and wheat provide the haze in this New England IPA that wowed judges by being “creamy, buttery and incredibly silky”. Brewed using Norwegian yeast and a blend of hops, this beer was deemed “a festival of flavour”. missinglinkbrewing.com

Dream House Left Handed Giant Brewing Co This hazy gluten-free IPA has notes of tangerine, passion fruit and blueberry. They found the body “pillowy, with a real juicy sweetness and a well-judged level of bitterness on the finish”. lefthandedgiant.com

Raspberry Sour Beer Vault City Brewing Made using fresh Scottish raspberries, this sour style beer bowled judges over, who said it was “refreshing and a true example of a sour, clearly made with skill and balance”. They added that “super vibrant” raspberry flavour reminded them of a sorbet. vaultcity.co.uk

Pygmy Hazy Table Beer Missing Link Brewing A low-ABV New England Pale Ale brewed with an abundance of Citra and El Dorado hops, this beer was billed by judges as “delicious, well balanced and ultra-drinkable”. The judges also praised its bitterness, lemony flavour, and the long, hoppy finish. missinglinkbrewing.com

Estrella Damm Damm S.A. Judges said this dark amber Spanish lager “really leans into the malt characteristics, with notes of butterscotch and biscuit and lightly toasted bread”. The panel also enjoyed how “smooth, clean and crisp” each sip was. damm.com

Black Truffle Palmier Cookies Quartet Using Umbrian truffles, and a 48-hour laminated base of Japanese flour and French AOP butter, these palmiers have “a texture that is impeccable”, according to judges. “The truffle is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the biscuit.” cookies-quartet.com

Aceituna Gordal Rellena de Anchoas Hazas Anchoas Hazas These Gordal olives are stuffed with Cantabrian anchovies cured for at least 18 months. Judges said: “The balance between the two key ingredients delivers superb length of flavour.” anchoashazas.com

SAVOURY SNACKS

Low Land - Oud Bruin Flemish Brown Ale Our Brewery @ Geterbrewed “This looks perfect in the glass,” said judges, who found great complexity in this barrelaged beer. “We enjoyed how much it came alive in the mouth,” they said, identifying notes of muscovado sugar, plum and spice. ourbrewerygeb.com

Séasúr - Mixed Ferm Saison Our Brewery @ Geterbrewed “A fascinating aroma and palate combine bitter, sour, tart and sweet elements with passion fruit and lime notes, spice and stone fruit,” said judges of this mixed fermentation, barrelaged Saison style beer. ourbrewerygeb.com

Gourmet Jumbo Cashew Nuts Roasted Tanza Kindness Judges described these single-origin nuts from Tanzania as “superior”. As well as the generous size and firm crunch, they appreciated the cashews’ “creamy and rich flavour with a sweet aftertaste”. tanzakindness.com

PASTA AND READY MEALS

Ravioli Ricotta e Spinaci Pastificio Dar Gallinaro Filled with buffalo ricotta and organic spinach, this handmade ravioli impressed the panel. “This is a shiningly honest product,” was the verdict. “Every ingredient has its chance to shine, with clearly delineated flavours melding into a delicious whole.” pastificiodargallinaro. com

PIES

Keralan Beef Curry Aktar at Home “Seduction and perfection all the way through,” remarked the judges when tasting this curry made by simmering brisket in a coconut and tamarind sauce, spiced with Keralan long pepper and Kashmiri chilli. aktarathome.co.uk

Panang Pork Curry Tippy’s Thai “This is punchy and aromatic,” said the judges of this spicy curry made using kaffir lime leaves and dry roasted chilli. “The pork is so tender and full of flavour, while the heat is bold and wonderfully unapologetic.” tippysthai.co.uk

Braised Beef with Blue Cheese Crumble Pie Pie NI “This is very well made,” remarked the judges when eating this braised beef pie that’s finished with a delicate crumble of Cashel Blue cheese. “The blue cheese is very well balanced and just adds that extra tang.” pie-ni.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Beef Bourguignon Pie COOK Filled with slow-cooked beef alongside higher welfare bacon lardons and chestnut mushrooms, this all-butter shortcrust pie was declared “savoury, rich and unctuous, with all the ingredients working in harmony”. cookfood.net

HONEY

Tower Bridge Honey Bermondsey Street Bees Harvested from hives kept near Tower Bridge on the river Thames, this honey impressed the panel with its “successive layers of flavour”. udges said it was “beautifully and intensely floral”, citing notes of lime blossom and chestnut. bermondseystreetbees. co.uk

Scottish Heather Honey Edinburgh Honey Co “This is glorious,” declared the judges. “ t fills the mouth with heather tones and honey sweetness. On the finish we get an aromatic, almost savoury note”. The panel also praised its longlasting flavour and “healthy medicinal tingle”. edinburghhoney.co.uk

Jahreshonig Wegguner Honighof Usually harvested only once per year, this raw blossom honey was praised for its thick fudgey consistency and fresh floral aroma. “ hese floral notes continue into the flavour, which is packed with complexity and depth,” said judges. feinschmeckerhonig.de

Organic Thyme Honey Bee Naturalles This single origin organic thyme honey is created in the untouched scrublands of Southern Evia in Greece. “What stands out is the strength of flavour,” said judges. “It’s classically honeyed at the front and develops into a woody, vegetal finish.” beenaturalles.com

Ivy Blossom Honey Honey Harvest “This is chewy and creamy and absolutely intoxicating on the flavour front,” remarked the judges when sampling this ivy honey from reland. “ he flavour lingers for what seems like an eternity.” honeyharvest.ie

Honey from Paleros “There is a pleasingly caramelised orange note to the rounded rich honey flavour,” said judges of this honey harvested near the Ionian Sea. “What’s impressive is how well it’s balanced – with the thyme not overpowering the honeyed undertones, but complementing it.”

Authentiko Melicreta - Leontaraki Ourania This intensely perfumed honey from Crete wowed judges with its “intense florality,” created by bees foraging on thyme and coniferous trees. The panel said it was “packed with so many flavour profiles all of which dance together harmoniously”. melicreta.gr

Bio Oak Honey “Emmelaki” Emmelaki Organic Florina Honey “There is caramel and molasses at the front, some woody notes and a little bitterness at the finish,” remarked judges of this oak honey that’s collected in a protected area in the forests of Macedonia. “Astoundingly rich and indulgent.” me i orina .gr

Miele di Barena Apicoltura Marangon This Barena honey is produced by bees foraging salt-marsh plant nectar from the Venice lagoon. Judges said it was “a honey with a stunning vegetal sweetness, intense length of flavour and intriguing salinity”. apicolturamarangon.it

Royal Grade Yemeni Sidr (Usaymi Malaki) The Honey Valley “There is an intense barklike, sappy florality and sweetness,” remarked the panel when sampling this raw mono floral honey from Yemen, which is produced from Sidr trees. “Deep caramel and butterscotch with leather and tobacco notes,” they said. thehoneyvalley.co.uk

Jarrah Honey TA10+ The Rare Honey Company This honey is produced by bees foraging on the rare Jarrah trees found only in the coastal forests of Western Australia. “The flavour lingers long,” said the panel during tasting. “A distinctive honey with such comple ity of flavours.” therarehoneycompany. co.uk

Sainfoin Honey Maliks Honey “Exquisitely balanced,” said the judges when sampling this honey sourced in Kyrgyzstan. “There is a delightful, gently citric acidity lifting the sweetness and allowing the floral notes to linger without cloying,” they said. “Unique and thoroughly enjoyable.” malikshoney.com

Royal Raw Blackbutt Honey Intellectual Capital Arabia The bees producing this honey forage in eucalyptus patens trees in Western Australia. The end product impressed judges with its woody caramel notes and a “distinct eucalyptus aftertaste that lingers”. balqees.com

Manuka Doctor 1000 M O Monofloral Manuka Honey Honey New Zealand Europe Ltd. This Manuka honey bowled judges over with “caramel, almost coffee notes that lead, moving onto a herbal and medicinal character”, before a long, savoury finish. They added that it was “a fascinating journey for the palate”. manukadoctor.co.uk

Organic Sumra Honey Bee Ways Beekeeping and Honey Production Harvested from bees that forage on Sumra trees in Saudi Arabia, this “dark copper, extremely glossy honey” impressed judges who enjoyed the “intense and deep flavour with smoky, woody notes that last long in the mouth”. beewaysarabia.com

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O D Y S E A P O M E G R A N AT E M O L A S S E S “This molasses impressed the judges with its deep red colour, viscous, glossy texture and natural perfumed aroma. They applauded the intensity, authenticity and rich viscosity of this expertly made molasses.” GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2026, JUDGE’S COMMENTS

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

HONEY

Raw Ivy/Heather Fusion Honey The Farmhouse Bees & Trees “What a great fragrance lifting from the jar,” said judges when sampling this ivy blossom and heather honey. “A fabulously smooth, creamy, velvety honey that has a truly special flavour profile.” thefarmhouse.ie

NUT BUTTERS

Molloy Honey Molloy Honey The bees that produce this honey forage on Irish wildflowers, including hawthorn, clover and bramble. “A beautifully scented honey with waves of nature unfolding,” remarked the panel. “Delicate, but complex.

Orieshock kešu 180g Orieshock This Slovakian cashew butter impressed judges who said it was “far smoother than other nut butters”. Judges liked its “unique milky sweetness”. orieshock.eu

Original Roast Smooth Peanut Butter ManiLife This is made using single estate peanuts from Córdoba, Argentina. “The mellow roast of the peanuts carries no bitterness and delivers a perfect level of salting and hint of sweetness,” was the judges’ verdict. mani-life.com

Cashew Nut Butter Utta Nutta “The consistency of this is delightful,” remarked the panel of this butter produced in Wiltshire using cashews from West Africa. The judges also liked the “combination of smooth creaminess and crunchy graininess”. uttanutta.com

CONDIMENTS & ACCOMPANIMENTS

Damson Fruit Cheese The Lyth Valley Damson Company Our panel felt this fruit cheese had “just the right amount of natural sweetness and tang”. They also praised the paste for its flavour of “deep, comple stone fruit with impressive length”. thelythvalleydamsoncompany.co.uk

Red Shift | Smoked Gochujang Sriracha The Spice Must Flow “What a ride!” remarked the judges of this hot sauce. “A roller coaster of smoke, heat, garlic and great acidity,” they said. “There is a lingering sour ferment and heat which envelop your mouth in complexity.” t e icemu t o . ace

Obsidian Big Ginger Sauce Co Produced using Guajillo and Ancho chillies, this condiment impressed judges, who “loved this delicious, nutty, almost chocolatey chilli oil”. They added: “We could imagine drizzling it on everything if we had a pot in the fridge.” biggingersauce.com

Parsnip & Chilli Chutney Candi’s Cupboard Made using British-grown parsnips, cassia bark and nigella seeds, this chilli chutney was lauded for having “complexity and length”. The judges also enjoyed “the woody sweetness of parsnip and subtle but lingering heat”. candiscupboard.com

DYB Kombu Golden Smile Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce DoYouBo Industry Co. Created for its richer flavour and deeper umami hit, this soy sauce is brewed using root kelp from Hokkaido. “This condiment has the wow factor for sure,” said the judges. “What a remarkable soy sauce.” mitdub.com

DYB Kombu Artisan Lite Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce DoYouBo Industry Co. “The mouthfeel is delightful and the balance of umami and sweetness is pure delight,” said the judges when tasting this natural brewed soy sauce produced using Hokkaido root kelp. “There are so many rich, savoury flavours along with a gentle saline quality.” mitdub.com

Mushroom Soy Sauce Wild Rice This gluten-free, vegan soy sauce is made by fermenting shiitake mushrooms. It impressed judges with its “comple flavours of mushroom, florality, salt and slight caramel sweetness”. They added: “This is mouth-watering and has an excellent depth of flavour.” wildriceworld.com

Oat Shoyu Slow Sauce “This was extremely intense,” said judges of this shoyu made from organic gluten-free oats, which are fermented with heritage British carlin fox peas in oak barrels for three months and stirred daily for the first 30 days to encourage wild fermentation. slowsauce.co.uk

Sheldrake Smoky Oat Shoyu Slow Sauce When producing this hot sauce, the leftover mash of seeds and skin is pressed to e tract deeper flavours. Judges said: “The umami and smoky notes deliver a profound depth of flavour, elegantly counterpointed by bright acidity.” slowsauce.co.uk

Rayu Chilli Oil Matsudai Ramen “There is an utterly perfect balance of flavours,” remarked the judges when tasting this chunky Rayu chilli oil. “There is a backbone of multi-layered sesame throughout. It’s stunning,” they said. “As good as it gets.” matsudai.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

SPICES & SEASONINGS

Dark Red Kampot pepper . e er..fie d Grown in microlots by small farmers, these rare red Kampot peppercorns intrigued judges with their “wonderful, comple flavour profile which gives waves of taste going from fruity to citrus, then bringing in the spicy heat”. e erfie d.com

Fermented Kampot pepper - President Edition . e er..fie d “An attractive range of colour shades and a richly opulent aroma,” said the judges of these fermented green Kampot peppercorns. “The soft pop releases an intense flavour profile, rich with plenty of fruity spice flavour.” e erfie d.com

Pepper Flakes . e er..fie d “Savoury and vibrant,” remarked the judges of these freeze-dried ampot pepper corns that are flaked with fleur de sel. hey add that they carried the “perfect integration of salt, amplifying the complex earthy-floral flavours and building peppery heat”. e erfie d.com

Druiden Rauchsalz Manufaktur Funke “These are attractive, dark salt crystals with an intense aroma, rich with natural smoke,” remarked the panel on this Danish sea salt that has been cold-smoked for up to eight weeks over Norwegian juniper wood. manufakturfunke.ch

Kampot Pfeffer ganz fermentiert Manufaktur Funke “These have a delightful fragrance and freshness,” said the judges when sampling these fresh Cambodian Kampot pepper berries which have been fermented in sea salt. manufakturfunke.ch

Sprig Natural Cardamom Extract Synthite Industries Private This natural extract of green cardamom from Idukku, Kerala impressed judges, who felt it was “a particularly intensely flavoured e tract”. They added: “Just a touch delivers dramatic intensity of flavour.” sprig.co.in

Sprig True Ceylon Cinnamon – Finest White Alba Grade Synthite Industries Private Judges said these premium True Alba cinnamon quills from Sri Lanka were “warming and pervasive”. hey also liked the florality and long aromatic finish. “The heat certainly grows on the finish but the aroma remains true and bright.” sprig.co.in

Sprig Ceylon Whole Cinnamon Sticks – Continental Grade Synthite Industries Private The panel were “blown away” by the quality of this cinnamon, which hails from ri anka. “ he flavour is so big,” they said. “With lovely underlying heat and natural sweetness.” sprig.co.in

Cannelle de Ceylan en poudre Yaksha This cinnamon comes from a single estate in the Ratnapura Hills in Sri Lanka and is made from Alba Grade bark. Judges said the flavour builds “slowly and subtly, from a natural sweetness to a fuller, richer cinnamon experience.” yaksha.ch

Herati Saffron 1g Bo Tree Farm “This is a very special product,” said the judges when tasting this Herati saffron. “Liquid sunshine just perfect,” they added. “The woody notes appeared first and then a gentle, clean, floral aroma.” botreefarm.co.uk

Rubin Kft - Szegedi Organic Sweet Paprika Powder Best of Hungary Red peppers are harvested, sun-dried and finely stonemilled to produce this organic sweet paprika powder from the PDO zeged region in ungary. “It has an impressive complexity, with wellbalanced sweetness,” said the judges. bestofhungary.co.uk

Rubin Kft - Sweet Smoked Paprika Powder Best of Hungary This Hungarian sweet paprika that has been smoked over beech wood. Judges said this “enticing, red powder” was “well milled and smelled of the sweetness of the peppers and the smoking”. bestofhungary.co.uk

Ground Cinnamon Ren’s Kitchen This ground Ceylon cinnamon was considered “enchanting” by our judges, who said “ he flavour is warming and citrussy, and also sweet. There is no bitterness and it leaves a great fresh aftertaste in the mouth.” renskitchen.com

Szechuanpfeffer grün Manufaktur Funke Harvested unripe for maximum freshness, these wild green Sichuan peppercorns were considered “an absolute experience” by our panel, who said they were “fizzing with lime flavours and gently removing sensation from the tongue”. manufakturfunke.ch

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

OILS AND DRESSINGS

Pomegranate Molasses Odysea ade from only pomegranate juice, this molasses impressed the judges with “its deep red colour, glossy te ture and natural aroma”. hey also enjoyed its finish, “with dry and incredibly tart notes”. odysea.com

SPICES & SEASONINGS

Hidden Smooth Camellia Oil Doulily “ his camellia oil has a luminescent golden hue,” said judges. “ right and with a buttery and roasted nut aroma, which definitely transcends into the flavour with vigour,” they added.

Organic Transition Period Camellia Seed Oil Bird and Bunun Life his oil is made with amellia leifera seeds. udges said “the flavours are subtle but e traordinary, with a journey that starts with green peppers and builds to fresh hazelnut and pine nut”.

ock sh ice Blend Stony Groves lending black, red and white ampot pepper alongside epalese imut pepper, this small-batch spice blend wowed the judges who felt it took them on “a journey through citrus, sweetness, brightness, acidity and heat”. stonygroves.co.uk

Smoked Salted Kampong Thom Pepper La Plantation Europe resh peppercorns are harvested unripe and then salt-fermented before being cold-smoked. “ here is an e citing fruitiness that freshens and the smoke brings the flavours together,” said tasters. laplantation.com

COOKING SAUCES AND PASTES

Enchilada Paste Kursat’s ade using outh American guajillo and ancho chillies, this vegan enchilada paste also uses cocoa powder and a blend of spices. he judges verdict “ he flavours are balanced and in harmony.” kursats.co.uk

Hung Lay Curry Paste 100g Payst his orthern hai ung ay curry paste was billed by judges as “an e plosion of flavour”. hey enjoyed “not only the concentration and depth achieved in the paste, but also its balance and clarity”. payst.co.uk

Traditional Gochujang by Sungchang Moon Okrye Jungdam his chilli bean paste is made by one of the few orean ood randmasters for gochujang. t s produced using only si ingredients and fermented for over a year. “ he umami within this product is huge and delicious,” said judges. jungdam.co.uk

Whole Young Green Kampot Peppercorns Kadode Kampot Pepper UK “ hey are both delicate and e tremely aromatic and would be perfect for many uses,” said the judges of these green ampot peppercorns. “ hey have incredible length in the mouth, without being too fierce.” kadodepepper.co.uk

Lacto-fermented Fresh Green Kampot Peppercorns Kadode Kampot Pepper UK A uni ue natural lactofermentation process from Japan is used to transform these young green ampot peppercorns. udges said they had “a vine-ripe, green taste with the hum of spice that builds, balanced with a briny brightness”. kadodepepper.co.uk

Bibigo Gochujang Hot Pepper CJ Foods Sales UK lended with fermented soy and sun-dried chillies, judges found this gochujang to have “bold heat that lingers on the palate with depth and comple ity”. bibigo.co.uk

ed Pesto with Tru fle Sauce oeni ruf e “The tomatoes and peppers are fresh and vibrant with the truffle melding beautifully without stamping on other flavour notes,” remarked the panel when tasting this pesto made with black summer truffle. “ o well balanced,” they added.

Soy Bean Doubanjiang Poon’s Pantry his fermented blend of soy beans and chilli peppers wowed judges with its “huge umami hit”. he panel said it had “an orchestra of fantastic flavours” and particularly enjoyed the “very lengthy finish that delivers a lovely fire at the end”. poonslondon.com

Cambodian Whole Black Peppercorns Kadode Kampot Pepper UK “ he initial hit of heat is followed through with a total journey of flavour, lingering slowly and delivering length and comple ity,” were the judging comments about these whole black peppercorns from smallholder farms in ambodia. kadodepepper.co.uk

Black Kampot pepper . e er..fie d “ his highly aromatic pepper has a fragrant heat that builds with a rounded intensity,” said the judges of this microlot pepper sourced from farmers. “ e enjoyed the typical ampot flavours that unfurled on the tongue and added multiple dimensions to the heat.” e erfie d.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

VINEGARS

Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Bona Food “ reat length of flavour and a pleasing balance between the syrupy sweet notes and the vinegar,” was the feedback from the panel on this classic balsamic. bonafood.co.uk

Fino Dark Balsamic (Crema) Fino Produced by the reduction and partial caramelisation of the must from the Pedro imenez grape, this dark balsamic-style vinegar is matured in oak for 25 years. “ he aroma of juicy prunes was gorgeous,” remarked the judges. finoo i eoi .co.uk

Villa Manodori Dark Cherry Balsamic Vinegar The Oil Merchant Aged for at least three years in oak barrels, this vinegar produced using odenese grape must is then moved into cherry wood for several months, resulting in a li uid the judges called “immersive and intense”. oilmerchant.co.uk

Wild Blackberry with Winter Spices Balsamic Wildwood Vinegars “ his is a delightful balsamic,” remarked the judges about this vinegar made via a twoyear process that includes wild blackberries before being aged for five years in oak barrels. “ he whole thing is harmonious, smooth and tart,” they said.

Blackcurrant Vinegar Syrup The Slow Vinegar Company “ his deep mahogany vinegar syrup has a full-bodied mouthfeel and a rounded acidity,” said the panel, who thought its syrupy consistency made it ideal for both dressings and dipping. theslowvinegarcompany. co.uk

CHARCUTERIE

Aceto di Mele Agricola Due Vittorie Austrian apple juice is used to produce this vinegar, refined through a controlled fermentation process and aging in oak barrels. “ uisite,” said the judges. “ o elegant, so full of flavour and so persistent.” duevittorie.com

Chestnut-Fed Galician Shoulder Coren roduced using pork shoulder in the northern panish region of alicia, this ham is cured for a minimum of 14 months. “ legant, flavourful and delicious,” they said. “ he chestnut comes through strongly here and the fat is delicate and balanced.” coren.es/en

Wagyu beef ham Entrepeñas “ t is insanely tender,” said the panel. “So much so that it almost melts in the mouth.” he air-dried wagyu beef ham comes from Léon and wowed judges with its “clean simplicity and rich, creamy depth of beef flavour that grows beautifully in intensity.” embutidosentrepenas.es

Coppa The Curly Pigs ry-cured with salt, garlic and Tellicherry black pepper, this air-dried angalitsa pork shoulder comes from outdoor-reared pig. “A delicious coppa that finishes with a creamy mouthfeel.” thecurlypigs.com

Salami Bites The Mad Butcher hese gluten-free salami bites are cured and air-dried in the panish yrenees, delivering “lovely, fatty, mouth feel and good length of flavour”, according to the panel. “ he bite is tender, the taste delivery a veritable e plosion.” madbutcher.co.uk

Sanbaizu The Wasabi Company lending water from apan s Kumano mountains with rice vinegar, soy sauce, hon mirin and bonito flakes, this fermented liquid was deemed “beautifully smooth,” with judges adding that it was “a true delight”. thewasabicompany.co.uk

Wild Venison Saucisson Sec Hammond Charcuterie lavoured with organic red wine, fresh garlic and black pepper, this saucisson is made from wild Roe venison and rare-breed pork fat. “There are hints of liquorice and the wine helps to round out the flavour,” said judges. hammondcharcuterie. co.uk

Mangalitsa Fennel Salami Wass Farm Charcuterie “A sumptuous mouthfeel and as you chew you release fabulous acidity and rich pork notes that precede a soft fennel finish,” was the judges assessment of this salami, made with angalitsa pork, whole fennel seeds and black pepper. wassfarm.co.uk

Boreray Mutton Salami with Bog Myrtle & Gorse Flowers Highland Charcuterie and Smoke House This unique Scottish salami is produced using rkney oreray mutton, locally foraged gorse flowers and bog myrtle. “ his dark and finely te tured salami has an aromatic, meaty nose that delivers as promised on the palate,” said judges. highlandcharcute.com

Wagyu Pastrami Cecinas Pablo “ e enjoyed the balance of spicing and smoking that allows the flavour of this majestic beef to come through,” reported the judges when tasting this pastrami made using wagyu brisket. They also liked the “subtle layers of warming pepper and delicate spice”. cecinaspablo.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

CHARCUTERIE

Cecina De Leon IGP Embutidos Ferju “ his is cured beef at its best,” said the judges of this panish ecina, which has been lightly smoked over oak and naturally dried for a minimum of months. “ he balance between sweet and savoury elements is on point.” ferju.net

Black Angus Cecina Embutidos Ferju ade with pure-bred lack Angus, this cured beef ecina from pain was declared “absolutely knockout” by our judges. “ he welljudged natural smoke on the finish caps off this stunning product.” ferju.net

Panceta Duroc Curada Artesana Embutidos Mayoral “ tremely attractive,” said judges when faced with this panish cured bacon made from uroc pigs and seasoned with paprika, salt, garlic and oregano. “ he thickness of the cut is perfect and the mouthfeel smooth and buttery.” embutidosmayoral.com

Redondo de Cecina de Vaca Artesana La Pradera de Fontún Embutidos Artesanos La Pradera de Fontún his is made with cuts from the hind uarters of a cow and aged in a natural drying room after being cured. udges said it has “clean tasting, buttery herbaceous fat that leaves a rich, beefy note on the finish”. embutidoslapradera.com

Boreray Pancetta Eco-Feed Rare Breeds “A cared-for product that uses all of the meat to its advantage,” remarked the judges of this pancetta made from the belly of oreray sheep, cured with herbs before being lightly smoked. “ his is charcuterie at its best.”

HAM & BACON

Mangalitsa Coppa Wass Farm Charcuterie “A memorable and beautifully crafted e ample,” said the judges when tasting this coppa produced from freerange angalitsa pork collar that has undergone a cure with apple juice before being air-dried. wassfarm.co.uk

Heritage Cure Ham James Whelan Butchers “A product of supreme uality,” said the judges of this whole cured heritage ham from reland. “ his is a triumph of welfare, curing and cooking and we cannot praise it highly enough.” jameswhelanbutchers.com

Signature Tastes Unsmoked Irish Hampshire Ham Fillet Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland hese ham fillets come from a naturally sweet rish ampshire breed of pigs. “ t would be a fantastic centrepiece,” said the panel. “ he salt balance was perfect, allowing the sweetness of the meat to sing out.” musgrave.ie

Guanciale Ispini Charcuterie “Absolutely superb thin slices of jowl, these are salty and rich, with caramelised ribbons of sweet delicate fat,” commented the tasting panel about these pork jowls cured with a blend of herbs and spices and infused with garlic oil. ispinicharcuterie.com

Proper Posh Black Treacle Extra Thick Cut Streaky Bacon The Jolly Hog “ hese chunky bacon chops have a visible black treacle crust,” said the judges when sampling this e tra thick cut bacon. “ t is succulent and positively oozes with flavour to a long satisfying finish.” thejollyhog.com

Finocchiona IGP a umificio i ano ori ancetta is added to the minced pork when producing this inocchiona salami which is loaded with wild fennel seeds. “ he fennel and pepper are in total harmony, with the pork still the star,” said the judges. “A spectacular salami.” a umificiomori.com

Buttermilk Dry Cure Bacon Rack Hannan Meats “ his show-stopping rack impressed the judges with its golden, glistening fat,” said the judges when presented with this dry cure bacon rack made from ford andy and lack pigs that have been raised on a diet of buttermilk. hannanmeats.com

Sugar Pit Buttermilk Bacon Rack Hannan Meats udges said the flavour of this rare breed bacon rack, cured in a sugar pit, was “full on”. hey added “ his is a large and handsome joint with an unctuously glossy top layer of fat.” hey also praised the glaze and tenderness of the meat. hannanmeats.com

Sugar Pit Buttermilk Bacon Chop Hannan Meats “ hese are big, indulgent chops with e cellent caramelisation and an enticing aroma,” said the panel when faced with these thick, sugar pit bacon chops. “ he fat layer was deep, but delivered so much flavour and simply burst out in the mouth.” hannanmeats.com

Signature Taste Slow Cooked Irish Hampshire Ham on the Bone with Light Muscovado Sugar & Orange Blossom Honey Glaze Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland “ oft, succulent and melts in the mouth, releasing the clean savoury pork flavour.” he panel concluded that this ham on the bone is “a masterpiece”. musgrave.ie

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Three stars. One seriously good smoked butter.

Belhaven Smoked Butter

Traditionally smoked in East Lothian, Scotland. Our Great Taste 3-star Smoked Butter is made for people who believe the simplest ingredients can be the most memorable. Sourced from the Edinburgh Butter Co, this cultured butter is lightly salted with Blackthorn Salt and is transformed by smoke into something deeply savoury, distinctive and exceptionally versatile. At Belhaven Smokehouse, we produce a range of traditionally smoked foods in East Lothian, from our award-winning hot and cold smoked salmon, cheeses and butter, to trout, haddock and more, supplying independent retailers, farm shops, delis, hospitality and foodservice across the UK. Interested in stocking our award-winning range? Get in touch for samples, trade pricing and product information. Email sales@belhavensmokehouse.co.uk or Call 01368 864025

www.belhavensmokehouse.co.uk Other Awards: ★★ Classic Hot Smoked Salmon | ★★ Belhaven Smoked Goat’s Cheese | ★ Belhaven Cure Cold Smoked Salmon | ★ Lammermuir Smoked Cheddar

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AWARD-WINNING GELATO. MADE FOR YOUR BUSINESS Multi-award-winning artisan gelato, made with exceptional ingredients Crafted to your exact specifications

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

ABOUT GREAT TASTE

WHAT DO THE STARS MEAN? Each jar, packet or bottle displaying a Great Taste logo is guaranteed to have been through the rigorous and independent judging process. The logo will display the year it was judged and the official star-rating.

It’s not about smart packaging or clever marketing – it’s all about Great Taste.

3-STARS:

2-STARS:

1-STAR:

exquisite

outstanding

simply delicious

Extraordinarily tasty foods – only around 2% of products are awarded 3-stars each year. Buy it!

Above and beyond delicious – about 10% of entries will achieve this rating.

A food that delivers fantastic flavour – approximately 28% of entries will achieve this rating each year.

To search for award-winning products, and the independent retailers that stock them, visit gff.co.uk/directory

gff.co.uk/greattaste | @guildoffinefood #greattasteawards GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

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Classic

Basque Cheesecake

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Tiramisu

Basque Cheesecake GOLDEN FORK NOMINATION

Manchego

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Pistachio

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HAN DMADE IN SMALL BATCH ES SINCE 1988

Sales: 00 353 (0) 89 481 6102 or Sara@wexfordpreserves.ie

www.wexfordpreserves.ie

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

FRESH MEAT

Rosendale Wagyu Short i s om i on of mit fie d Raised in the Wicklow mountains of Ireland, these short ribs come from F1 Wagyu Shorthorn cross cattle which have been finished on a -day crossfeed of grain and chocolate. “The meat does the talking,” remarked the judges, “and it says ‘eat me’.” tomhixson.co.uk

elu e rish Angus i Roast on the Bone 40-Days Matured Lidl Ireland udges were universally impressed when eating this three-rib roast of Irish Angus beef, matured for 40 days. “Sublime, juicy, full of beefiness and savoury layers that meld with the rest and then the fat provides a glorious end.” lidl.ie

100% grass-fed Leg of Welsh am Hindwell Farm Meats he depth of flavour in this lamb leg really struck the judges. “The aromas are really inviting, it cuts easily, and has delicious layers of flavour,” they said. “ t is juicy and delicious at every stage”. hindwellfarm.co.uk

Welsh Hill P am Carvery Shoulder Dunbia “The texture is succulent, melt-in-the-mouth tender, buttery and moist,” read the judges comments on this lamb shoulder. “The balance between the sweetness of the fat and savoury flavours of the meat is perfect.” dunbia.com

Aldi Specially Selected Wicklow Butterfly am Leg Fillet with Salt & Pepper Irish Country Meats “ he flavours come over in waves, giving superb depth and length,” said the judges when sampling this butterfly lamb leg fillet. he judges also praised its tenderness. irishcountrymeats.com

elu e am um oast with Sea Salt, Garlic & Rosemary 400g Lidl Ireland Judges applauded the flavours in this roasting joint, with stronger rosemary notes complementing the more subtle garlic. They added: “We thought it was well balanced and incredibly tender.” lidl.ie

Pannage addle ack are Breed are i Pork oint Hockey’s Farm Shop very year, rare breed Saddleback pigs are allowed to roam the New Forest foraging on acorns, beechmast and chestnuts. The result is a spare rib joint that judges said was “exquisite”. They also thought the crackling was “out of this world”. hockeys-farm.co.uk

Free Range Pork Loin Redhill Farm Free Range Pork This loin comes from the Lincolnshire producer’s own Duroc cross pigs. Judges felt “the slowness of the growth of the animal comes through in both flavour and te ture”. redhillfarm.com

Pork Belly 1.4KG Swaledale Butchers “This is an exceptional joint of meat that absolutely delivers on every promise it makes,” declared the judging panel. “An exemplary piece of pork, tender and full flavoured,” they said. “The crackling is superb and the fat sweet.” swaledale.co.uk

Buttermilk Bone-in Pork Chop Hannan Meats Raised on a diet of raw buttermilk, this bone-in pork chop comes from Oxford Sandy and Black pigs and won judges over by being “handsomely clad with a layer of bronze fat”. Of course, they fell for its flavour and te ture, too. hannanmeats.com

Buttermilk Boneless Pork Loin Joint Hannan Meats “A well-textured joint of pork with a good layer of fat,” was the judges verdict on this loin joint from Oxford Sandy and Black pigs. “This is juicy, tender and flavoursome.” hannanmeats.com

Salt Aged Buttermilk Bone-in Rind-on Pork Belly Hannan Meats This bone-in pork belly comes from rare breed pigs and is dry-aged in a Himalayan salt chamber. Judges crowned it “sensational”, adding: “This magnificent pork belly has an appearance that shrieks quality and style.” hannanmeats.com

Christmas Cockerel Heart Of England Farms “This is a great example of how maturity and a natural diet can transfer into a delicious piece of poultry,” said judges of this slowgrown free range cockerel from Warwickshire. “The juices are deeply delicious,” they added. shop.heartofenglandfarms. com/collections

Free-Range Bronze Whole Turkey S J Frederick & Sons “The ultimate Christmas lunch,” claimed the panel when sampling this freerange Bronze turkey raised on a cereal-rich diet (free from antibiotics and growth hormones) and then game hung to enhance its natural flavour. sjfrederick.co.uk

Deluxe Bronze Turkey Crown Dressed with Bacon Lattice & Butter 1.8kg Lidl Ireland “An impressive turkey crown,” said the panel. “It has retained its identity and displays the benefit of its outdoor life and varied diet.” They also praised the meat’s depth of flavour. lidl.ie

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

FRESH MEAT

Silver Hill Duck Fillets Silver Hill Duck “ lump duck fillets with beautifully bronzed skin,” said the judges. “These are enticingly juicy on cutting, with the tender flesh almost melting on the palate,” they added. silverhillduck.ie

Wild Sika Venison Loin Baronscourt Estate This wild Irish Sika venison loin is procured within the Baronscourt Estate and sold locally only when in season. “The melt-in-the-mouth te ture releases umamirich flavour that has all the classic taste of sika,” said the panel. “Meaty, gamey and delicious.” barons-court.com

Wild Sika Venison French Rack Baronscourt Estate “A showcase piece of wild venison that the judges felt was faultless,” said the panel of this French rack of wild Sika venison. “The venison flavour is instantly recognisable without being overpowering or too gamey.” barons-court.com

Guy Douglas Ribeye Steak Lidgate Butcher This steak comes from regeneratively farmed beef reared on the coast of Northumberland and dry-aged for a minimum of 35 days. “There is plenty of delicate meaty, umami flavour,” said the judges. “A genuinely fantastic steak!” lidgates.com

Wagyu Brisket 1kg Warrendale Wagyu “A handsome piece of brisket with a succulent layer of unctuous fat,” remarked the panel when tasting this British-raised Wagyu beef joint. “An intense flavour that stays on the palate,” they added. warrendale-wagyu.co.uk

Signature Tastes Irish Hereford Cote De Boeuf Steak Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland Matured for 21 days, this Hereford Côte De Boeuf was considered “very impressive”. The judges admired its “glistening caramelised fat, tender flesh, and superb juicy mouthfeel”. musgrave.ie

Specially Selected Irish Black Angus Fillet Steak Aldi Ireland “A beautifully juicy looking steak,” said the panel of this oz fillet steak of lack Angus that’s been matured for a minimum of 32 days. “ he flavour is rich, beefy and earthy and lasts long on the palate.” aldi.ie

Bright Meat Company 30 Days Matured Thick Cut Irish Beef Fillet Steak Kepak Watergrasshill “Continuous enjoyment,” said the judges of this 30day matured Irish steak. “This is a superb piece of meat that ticks every bo ,” they add. “Properly beefy flavour, combined with a luscious, velvety te ture makes it an absolute treat.”

Climpy Homegrown Scotch Lamb Chops The Wee Farm Distillery This lamb comes from animals finished on a diet of grass at a small South Lanarkshire farm. Judges praised them for being “grassy, sweet, and delectable”, later remarking on the “real journey of flavours” these chops took them on. theweefarmdistillery.co.uk

Salt Moss Dry Aged Pork Belly Kettyle Irish Foods Dry-aged for at least 14 days, this pork belly impressed the panel with its “thick, golden crackling and juicy tender interior”. After hailing succulent te ture and flavour, they declared it “pork belly at its absolute best”. kettyleirishfoods.com

FRESH SAUSAGES

Salsicciamo Sweet Italian C. Carnevale Made with fennel seeds, herbs, and spices, this traditional Italian pork sausage impressed judges with its coarser te ture. Judges deemed them “delicious, aromatic, well balanced and juicy”. carnevale.co.uk

SEAFOOD

Gluten Free Gloucester Old Spot Lidgate Butcher These gluten-free sausages are made using rare breed Gloucester Old Spot pork and a traditional blend of herbs. “The casing is lovely and thin and the spicing perfect,” said the judges. “These are outstanding sausages.” www.lidgates.com

Carlingford no 3 Carlingford Oyster Company rown in the A-classified waters of Carlingford Lough, these fresh Gigas oysters were described as “fleshy, yet buttery to bite, with grassy, cucumbersinging top notes”. Judges said, “these oysters are a triumph!” carlingfordoystercompany. ie

Eden Valley King Prawns Eden Valley Prawns Sustainably grown in Scotland using no sulphites, antibiotics or growth hormones, these meaty king prawns were crowned “simply perfect” by judges. “These are delightfully sweet with a firm and meaty te ture.” edenvalleyprawns.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

BoTree the home of 3 star Single Origin Spices

Winner of the Great Taste Golden Fork from England 2024

Old Winchester

A very hard 18-month farmhouse cheese which has a distinct nuttiness in flavour and made with vegetarian rennet.

Herati Saffron is cultivated in the desert of western Afghanistan, where it has been growing for millennia. The quality and intensity of this incredible saffron moved one of the judging panel to tears. Get it now at botreefarm.co.uk

Saffron comes from crocus flowers, each producing just three stamens that are handpicked and dried.

www.lyburnfarm.co.uk 01794 399982

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Sheep Cheese Matured in Extra Virgin Olive Oil

T HE B E S T OF WA L E S Our award-winning Welsh Hill PGI Lamb Carvery Shoulder is melt-in-the-mouth tender, buttery, and moist. A perfect centrepiece for any table, guaranteed to impress.

A SYMPHONY OF MATURED FLAVOURS INFUSED WITH PREMIUM EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL A profound expression of Spanish heritage and artisan craft.

This award-winning cheese by Quesos Cristo del Prado, aged to perfection, is harmoniously matured in the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The result is a sensory masterpiece, balancing the deep, complex notes of the matured cheese with the vibrant, fruity essence of the EVOO. A triumph, honoured with 3 Stars.

cristodelprado@quesosmanchegos.com

POLYCA RP O U Handmade 100% Goat’s Halloumi

Sheep’s & Goat’s Halloumi Sheep’s Halloumi

Authentic tradition. Award-winning taste. Made in Cyprus using 100% goat’s milk and traditional family cheesemaking knowledge dating back to the beginning of the 19th century. Distinctive, delicately tangy and beautifully textured. Discover our award-winning Goat’s Halloumi and wider range of traditional Cypriot cheeses.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTS Please contact: salesenquiries@dunbia.com www.dunbia.com

WHOLESALE

John & Pascalis Ltd Nectar House 665 North Circular Road London NW2 7AX Telephone: 0208 452 0707 Email: enquiries@johnpasc.co.uk

RETAIL

Athenian Grocery 16 Moscow Road Bayswater, London W2 4BT Telephone: 0207 229 6280 Email: shop@atheniangrocery.co.uk

apolycarpou.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

SMOKED FISH

TINNED FISH

Smoked Salmon – Hand Sliced Side Uig Lodge Smoked Salmon Smoked using oak chips in the Outer Hebrides, this salmon has been dry salt cured and was considered, “a joy to consume” by our panel of judges. “The te ture is firm but succulent, supporting the natural, delicate flavour of the salmon.” uiglodge.co.uk

Wild Irish Atlantic Smoked Salmon Woodcock Smokery “Both the smoke and salt have been pitched at exactly the right levels to complement the fish, which remains the hero,” said judges of this wild Irish salmon from the River Blackwater in County aterford. “A fish with bold character and depth.” woodcocksmokery.com

Maldon Cure Smoked Salmon Lambton & Jackson “We could return to this all day,” remarked the judges of this whole side of salmon, dry-cured with Maldon sea salt. They also enjoyed its “elegant and buttery” texture. lambtonandjackson.com

Roast Smoked Salmon Fillet Kuopion Perinnetuote Oy Fresh Norwegian salmon is hand filleted and salted by this Finnish producer, before being smoked over alder wood at 100°C. The result is a product that was “in perfect balance”, according to judges. “And the lingering taste is sea-fresh and outstanding”. erinnetuote.fi

Anchoas en Mantequilla Picante Anchoas Hazas “A truly memorable and delicious product,” remarked the judges of these spring Cantabrian anchovies that have been cold cured for 18 months and enveloped in chillispiced butter. anchoashazas.com

Roast Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet Kuopion Perinnetuote Oy “Absolutely superb,” claimed the panel after sampling this Finnish rainbow trout that’s been salted and smoked over alder wood. “The texture is soft and juicy, flaking and melting in the mouth to give a clean, delicate flavour of trout.” erinnetuote.fi

Beechwood Hot Kiln Smoked Salmon Macneil’s Smokehouse “What a fabulous example,” said the judges of this product that’s been kiln smoked over beechwood and coated in a pepper mix. “We enjoyed the pepper seasoning and the subtle smoke that enhanced the taste of the fish.” macneilssmokehouse.co.uk

ChalkStream Cold Smoked Trout – side (vertical cut) Chalk Stream Foods Dry-cured in salt and Demerara sugar, this side of trout is kiln smoked for 8-10 hours over oak, and matured in a Himalayan salt chamber for extra depth. “The subtle smoke complements the delicate salt cure.” chalkstreamfoods.co.uk

Hampshire Smoked Trout Fillet Butler Country Estates “The aromas are tantalising, and they really deliver a delicious, rich, fruity wood along with the fishy, salty flavours, which together work magic on the palate,” said the panel. “A taste sensation,” was the conclusion. butler-country-estates.co.uk

Anchoas en Mantequilla Noisette Anchoas Hazas The judges thought the beurre noisette married well with the high quality anchovies in the tin. “These are the gold standard,” they said. “They would convert any person who thinks they don’t like anchovies.” anchoashazas.com

SEAFOOD

Stone Kiln Cold Smoked White Fish Fillet Kuopion Perinnetuote Oy “Mouth-wateringly sumptuous,” remarked the judges. “Exquisite. The alder wood smoke made the fish sing. he flesh was firm and dry and had a beautiful velvety mouthfeel,” they added. erinnetuote.fi

Beechwood Smoked Mackerel Fillets Macneil’s Smokehouse Before getting the treatment in a vintage Norwegian smoker, these mackerel fillets are coated in a pepper mix that judges found to bring “just the right amount of warmth and interest, without masking the fish.” macneilssmokehouse.co.uk

Stone Kiln Cold Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet Kuopion Perinnetuote Oy Fresh Finnish rainbow trout is smoked over alder wood for several days to deliver a product considered “wonderfully executed”. The panel said: “The smoke is deftly judged and enhances the superb fresh fish flavour.” erinnetuote.fi

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

ABOUT GREAT TASTE

GREAT TASTE PRODUCT JOURNEY ENTER ONLINE

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GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

2023

“Should be on your radar...sublime” (- The Times)

“An orchestra of fantastic flavours... versatile and addictive” (- Great Taste Awards)

Award-winning Chinese pantry, built for modern retail. eatwell@poonslondon.com | 020 3740 0183

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Succulent and Tasty Free-Range and Slow-Grown Turkeys Raised the old fashioned way by family-run Temple Farm for over 50 years!

SUPPORT | KNOWLEDGE | CONNECTION | ADVOCACY

WE’RE AT THE CENTRE OF INDEPENDENT FOOD & DRINK. BE PART OF IT.

“Our exceptional quality Christmas turkeys are the result of years of experience, raising birds in a traditional respectful way. The slow-growing breeds we choose and the way they are raised to full maturity provides a natural fat layer and marbling of the meat. This means your Temple Farm Turkey will be easy to cook, offering an enhanced flavour and succulence that surpasses supermarket birds. Our birds are dry plucked and then hung like a game bird for at least seven days to ensure a rich and natural flavour.”

www.sjfrederick.co.uk 01279 792460 enquiries@sjfrederick.co.uk

Exceptional British Meat Yorkshire-based and family-run, we work with small-scale farmers to champion native breeds, traditional husbandry and whole-carcass, nose-to-tail butchery. Scan the QR code to find out more, or email support@gff.co.uk

hello@swaledale.co.uk | 01756 793335 www.swaledale.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW? Over the course of 105 judging days at multiple locations, around 800 judges (including chefs, food writers, and top retail and hospitality buyers) helped to assess the 15,000+ products submitted into Great Taste 2026.

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

AWARD WINNING BAKERY TREATS HANDMADE IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

YORKSHIRE BRACK info@just-delicious.co.uk

APPLE & RED ONION CHUTNEY just-delicious.co.uk

Discover the craft behind our Wild Irish Atlantic Smoked Salmon

WEST CORK IRELAND

WORKSHOPS LIMITED EDITION SMOKED WILD FISH

HANDMADE IN THE HEART OF NORFOLK What a left-field idea to make chutney from parsnips - and yet it succeeds totally.

Quite unusual and delicious, bringing out the flavour of the parsnip in a most unusual way.

Join internationally acclaimed Sally Barnes for fish smoking workshops, coastal foraging and intimate shared table experiences

hello@candiscupboard.com | 07867 398517 candiscupboard.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

woodcocksmokery.com

DAIRY

Clonbawn Irish Sour Cream Full Fat Aldi Ireland ade in ounty onegal, this full fat sour cream impressed the panel who said it was “thick, unctuous, creamy and lu urious.” hey concluded it was “a standout cream that speaks volumes of its terroir and provenance”. aldi.ie

25% Sour Cream Green Pastures (Donegal) his thick, cultured and pasteurised sour cream comes from a family-owned farm in ounty onegal. “ he mouthfeel is like velvet and the flavour is fresh and clean,” said the judges. “ rresistible.”

President Crème Fraiche Lactalis McLelland “A bright white, highly glossy cr me, with the te ture of whipped cream and a nose full of lactic and slightly citrus overtones,” said the judges. “ t smacks of uality, coating the insides of our mouths beautifully.” lactalis.co.uk

Connacht Gold Pure Irish Butter Aurivo Co-Operative Society “ uch fabulous flavour, packed with clean dairy character, just the right amount of lactic tang and enhanced by a perfect addition of salt,” was the panel s verdict. “ e are eating this neat and keep going back for more.” connachtgold.ie

Cheshire Butter Heler Foods “ e want to spread this an inch thick on just about everything,” said the judges when tasting this handmade whey cream butter that has been produced using aldon sea salt flakes. “ reamy, indulgent, and clean,” was the conclusion. helerfoods.com

Tru fle Pink Pe ercorn Butter Do Me A Flavour nfused with aromatic truffle, garlic, herbs and pink peppercorns, this salted butter comes from rish, grass-fed cows. “ uch a clever combination,” said the panel. “A fabulouslooking roll of butter with all the ingredients evenly distributed throughout.” domea a our.ie

Smoked Butter Belhaven Smokehouse his salted, cultured butter is slowly cold-smoked over oak and impressed judges with its te ture and flavour. “ elightfully creamy,” they said, “and the taste is a sound meld of dairy sweetness, light salinity and well-rounded smokiness.” belhavensmokehouse.com

Deluxe West Country Butter with Sea Salt Crystals Lidl Great Britain “An attractively coloured butter with visible flakes of salt well distributed throughout,” said the panel. “ reamy, delicate, rich, and seasoned to absolute perfection.” lidl.co.uk

Salted Cultured Butter Ampersand Dairy ream from high welfare ritish cows is cultured before churning to develop a fuller flavour. he panel said the butter had, “a slight umami edge,” and “a distinct savoury tang”. ampersanddairy.com

Organic Ghee Czech Ghee udges felt this ghee, made by slowly clarifying organic cows butter “has the most glorious golden colour and deeply buttery aroma, along with a hint of nuttiness”. czechghee.com

Ghee Priyum roduced using ritish butter and slowly clarified for purity, this ghee has “a delicate caramel overtone and a good long flavour,” according the judges. hey said the flavours range “from rich clean natural dairy to butterscotch”. spice-queen.co.uk

Whole Milk Killadoon Milk “The creamy texture delivers rich dairy flavour and natural sweetness,” said the panel when sampling this milk from ersey cows grazing pastures in ounty ildare. “ he fat content is hefty, the richness divine, and the length of flavour without comparison.” killadoon.ie

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

The Norfolk PX

CHILI MARMALADE

PRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL SPIRITS MADE FOR SHARING

Crafted in small batches in Malta, Talpe’ Chili Marmalade brings together sweet Valencia oranges and carefully selected fresh chillies to create a preserve that’s vibrant, balanced and unforgettable. The natural sweetness of the citrus is complemented by a gentle warmth that lingers beautifully, making it the perfect companion to salted cheeses, charcuterie, king prawns and artisan bread. “Packed full of real orange and vibrant chilli... the chilli level is well-judged and balanced – a delight and truly unforgettable.” — Great Taste Judges At Talpe’, every jar reflects our passion for artisan craftsmanship and our belief that exceptional ingredients create exceptional flavour. This 3-Star Great Taste Award is a recognition of our commitment to quality.

www.englishwhisky.co.uk

chilipastemalta

“What a showstopper! With even marbling, the soft tender meat just falls off the bone. It has a buttery, rich flavour and a juicy, unctuous mouthfeel – absolutely delicious. The meat does the talking and it says ‘eat me’.” – Great Taste Judges

2026 Candover ★★★ Ethiopia ★★ Aurora Coffee Pods ★ 2025 Lunar ★★ Moonshot ★ Half Caff ★

•Rosendale Wagyu Short Ribs

CANDOVER 3-STAR GREAT TASTE AWARD Inspired by the rolling Hampshire countryside, Candover takes its name from the beautiful valley surrounding our Roastery. A blend that’s close to our hearts, it has become a customer favourite thanks to its approachable character and consistency across all brew methods. Recently refined, we’ve adjusted the flavour profile while preserving the balance our customers love. The result is a beautifully rounded coffee with notes of Chocolate Orange, Dates and Black Cherry.

www.moonroast.co.uk

•Stone Axe Wagyu Ribeye

•Rosendale Wagyu Bavette •Stone Axe Wagyu Sirloin

Discover our award-winning products tomhixson.co.uk | @hixsonmeatldn

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

reme de uei o ueimoso Quinta do Pomar – Nuno L. Duarte Alves Hailing from the Serra da Gardunha region in Portugal, this spread is made using cheese that ferments in contact with rye straw. “The smooth texture coats the mouth with an explosion of flavour,” said the judges. queijosoalheira.com

u ury o t heese g Yester Farm Dairies “It’s deeply creamy and rich yet refreshing on the palate,” said the panel when tasing this spreadable cheese made from pasteurised milk and cream from Holstein Fresian cows. yesterfarmdairies.co.uk

ornish ern Lynher Dairies Cheese Company Alpine starter cultures are used to produce this Goudastyle cheese, which is made using milk from Ayrshire cows and slowly aged for 18-20 months. “A beautiful, well-cared-for truckle,” said the judges. lynherdairies.co.uk

Brenta Oro Latterie Vicentine Judges liked the nutty and creamy notes in this Italian cave-aged semi-hard cows’ milk cheese. As well as the smooth texture, the panel also admired the complexity and depth of flavour. “ e loved the intensity,” they said. latterievicentine.it

Moo’dy Blue White Lake Cheese “This is an attractive, creamy, cheese with plenty of welldistributed veining,” said the panel when tasting this blue cheese made from Jersey cows’ milk in Somerset. “A delicious and well-balanced blue.” whitelake.co.uk

oyal Bassett Blue Brinkworth Dairy Judges enjoyed the even ripening and spread of blue veins in this cheese. “ he flavour from the veining is reasonably strong and balanced by a rich creaminess, making it very enjoyable to eat.” brinkworthdairy.co.uk

Organic ashel Blue Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers Made using organic grassfed milk in Tipperary, this semi-soft blue cows’ milk cheese transported judges “straight to a freshly mown hayfield and then on to the milking parlour”. “Sweet and creamy,” was the verdict. cashelblue.com

Bluemin White Shepherds Purse Cheeses “A delightful texture that carries the creamy acidity across the mouth,” said the judges when tasting this mould-ripened cheese made from cows’ milk. “Persistent intensity and very well balanced.” shepherdspurse.co.uk

Formaggio Vacche osse Antica Corte Delle Vacche Rosse Aged for more than 24 months, this Italian hard cheese is produced using milk from a red cow breed. “The crumbly shards give way to a mouth-filling blast of flavour tangy, rich and savoury,” said the judges. anticacortedellevacche rosse.com

indley Primrose Creamery This triple cream lactic cows’ milk cheese is enriched with raw milk from local cows and hand-ladled to preserve curd structure. “Texturally beautiful,” said the panel who found it to have “an almost Alpine profile”. primrosecreamery.com

Brugge omtesse Original Milcobel “This is a majestic-looking large wedge,” declared the panel when staring down this Belgian pasteurised cows’ milk cheese that has been aged for seven months. “For a fairly young cheese, you get quite a lot of complexity – there are layers of flavour.” milcobel.com

Simply Better French Brillat a arin A ne AO Dunnes Stores “Truly outstanding!” Exclaimed the judges when tasting this classic cows’ milk cheese named after a famous French food writer from the 18th Century. The panel loved “the contrast between gentle farmyard funkiness and the thick cream consistency”. www.dunnesstores.com

Simply Better French Reblochon De Savoie P O Dunnes Stores Produced using raw cows’ milk in the Haute-Savoie region of France, this silky cheese was called “a stunner” by our judges. “The creamy mouthfeel releases sweet alpine notes along with fresh, savoury dairy.” dunnesstores.com

reamy utty u een heese Dunnes Stores “As we eat, this cheese releases a flavour which positively fills the mouth – smooth, creamy and just divine,” remarked the panel on eating this washed rind semi-soft cows’ milk cheese. “Packed with aromas and flavours of the farm.” dunnesstores.com

oolattin Mature heddar Coolattin Cheddar Produced only in the summer months, this Irish cheddar is made using milk from a Jersey cross herd that graze on grass and clover. “Serious length, serious evolution,” said the judges. “Explosive bursts of creamy richness bolstered by deep umami.” coolattincheddar.ie

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

CHEESE

Old Winchester Lyburn Farmhouse Cheesemakers Aged for 18 months, this English Gouda-style cheese is produced using vegetarian rennet and pasteurised cows’ milk. “ t delivers sweetness and acidity in waves with a soft finish that is smooth, nutty and verdant,” said the panel. lyburnfarm.co.uk

Eggleston Primrose Creamery “There is an exciting contrast between the smooth texture and the bright taste,” commented the judges. The lactic cows’ milk cheese is washed in brine and annatto to help guide yeast development. “ omple and delicious,” was the verdict. primrosecreamery.com

Asiago DOP Stravecchio Consorzio Tutela Formaggio Asiago Aged for around 60 months, this regional Italian raw cows’ milk cheese impressed judges, who said it carried “a mellow yet deep, nutty tone”. The panel also found “tropical fruity notes of mango and pineapple” in the paste. asiagocheese.it

Deluxe Parmigiano Reggiano DOP 30-month 200g Lidl Ireland GmbH “ he depth of flavour is outstanding and the notes linger on the palate long after eating,” said the judges of this classic Parmigiano. “The crumbly texture takes you on a flavour journey with waves of different notes.” lidl.ie

Cheesemaker’s Special Alsop & Walker This Sussex-made cheese impressed judges with its flavour and te ture. “We enjoyed the textural delight of the smooth and creamy paste punctuated with crunchy crystals, the sweetness, the savoury contrast and the easy eating moreish-ness.” alsopandwalker.co.uk

Finest Langres Soft Cheese 180 G Tesco Produced in the Grand East region of France, this soft cheese wowed the panel by being “characterful-looking with a fabulous punchy aroma”. They agreed that it was a perfect example of this French classic. tesco.com

Blue Shropshire Cheese 180g Tesco “The cheese was perfection and would enhance any cheese board,” said the judges of this Blue Shropshire cheese. “Creamy, buttery and full of meadow sweetness, this is moreish, salty and perfectly umami.” tesco.com

Gran Riserva Piccante Nero Igor Igor Gorgonzola Judges said this Gorgonzola Piccante was “loaded with flavour”. hey liked both the clean, creamy mouthfeel and the “spicy numbing finish that had great length”. igorgorgonzola.com

Mouse Di Latte a eificio ome ini “This is so fresh and a true expression of high quality dairy,” said the panel of this ricotta cheese. “The texture is perfect - creamy without being watery, delicate and rich.” ca eificiocome ini.com

Gorgonzola DOP Dolce Marca Oro servito al cucchiaio Nuova Castelli The panel called this classic artisanal Gorgonzola Dolce “a deeply indulgent cheese”. “Creamy, rich, and pungent,” was the verdict. castelligroup.com

acioca allo A nato in Grotta Masseria la Lunghiera Made by hand using raw milk and a natural whey starter, this cows’ milk cheese spends six months in a cellar before maturing in caves for months. “A deeply complex cheese,” said judges. “Rich and pi uant, and full of vitality.” lalunghiera.it

Pecorino Toscano DOP Stagionato Rocca Toscana Formaggi “A perfect expression of Pecorino, with tart, penetrating notes and a strong sense of the dairy,” declared the judges. “Balanced acidity, great length of flavour, and a clean, persistent aftertaste,” they added. roccatoscanaformaggi.com

Il Petroso - Pecorino Stagionato in Grotta Rocca Toscana Formaggi “All too easy to eat,” said the panel when tasting this Pecorino that has been aged in the natural caves of alentano. “ his is a cleverly made and satisfying cheese,” they continue. “Slightly salty, sweet and floral.” roccatoscanaformaggi.com

El Prado De Llera - Antaño El Prado de Llera This Spanish cheese is produced using raw sheep’s milk and is cellar aged for 14 months. Judges enjoyed the “pleasing lemony notes that come through with a well balanced level of salt and plenty of body”. elpradodellera.es

The English Pecorino White Lake Cheese “With a rustic appearance, this cheese has an aroma that is full of umami,” said the judges, when inspecting this English Pecorino that’s been matured for five months in Somerset. whitelake.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

‘A clever bean collaboration that results in a very fine, mature coffee.’ Great Taste Judges 2026

Duck Breast Fillets

The Best Duck In The World. info@silverhillduck.com | 00 353 47 87124 www.silverhillduck.ie Millfields Hall Coach Street Skipton BD23 1LQ 01756 794811

www.coffeecare.co.uk sales@coffeecare.co.uk

Truffle & Pink Peppercorn Butter

Born on whisky's most famous island. Rested in ex-Islay whisky casks. Three stars. One extraordinary rum.

GREAT TASTE ★★★ AWARD-WINNING CREAMY IRISH BUTTER FROM GRASS-FED WITH TRUFFLE & PINK PEPPERCORN

Make the ordinary great! Crafted with creamy, rich Irish butter, aromatic truffle and the delicate warmth of pink peppercorn, our multi-award-winning butter transforms everyday dishes into something exceptional. Melt over a perfectly cooked steak, finish roasted vegetables, enrich seafood or simply spread generously over warm, crusty bread.

T T le ele Tel: +44 (0)13 7 21742

One simple ingredient. An effortlessly elevated dining experience. Do Me A Flavour® Irish Butter. Elevated

elle l Tel: +44 (0)1496302679

+353 9064 92472 | info@domeaflavour.ie

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

www.domeaflavour.ie

DID YOU KNOW?

Products are entered into the Great Taste awards from all over the globe. In 2026, submissions came in from 116 different countries, including Taiwan, Norway, Greece, Italy, Japan, Cambodia, France, Hungary and the Republic of Ireland. 54

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Sip it don’t shot it @paolosliqueurs @paolosliqueurs

‘The richness of flavours floods across the palate’ and the judges remarked on the ‘complexity and depth of flavour together with the delightful moistness. The smoke is well balanced and this is a taste sensation.’

AWARD-WINNING FLAVOUR YOU WILL NOT FORGET

‘The Texture of the trout was perfect, indicating a good cure’ ‘The balance is just right, the texture wonderful, and the smoking perfect. We loved this.’ Judges’ comments 2026.

Hampshire Smoked Trout Fillet

MOUNT LEINSTER CLOTHBOUND

COOLATTIN MATURE CHEDDAR For trade enquiries please contact: 01962 658081 | sales@butler-country-estates.co.uk

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

coolattincheddar.ie 55

Order online – UK delivery within 1 week.

BROSE OAT DRINK: THE TASTE OF SCOTLAND. OFFICIALLY EXCEPTIONAL “We simply couldn’t fault anything... In a crowded and often inconsistent category, this is a standout - calm, stable and thoroughly accomplished.”

Cheese made it famous. Chocolate made it irresistible.

Now Switzerland ,s got spice. manufakturfunke.ch

Great Taste Judges

MADE IN SCOTLAND | FRESH | GLUTEN FREE | SCOTTISH OATS hello@broseoats.com | www.broseoats.com

100% pure ingredients, no additives

Mixed and processed by hand

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

A genuine Swiss manufactory

Inspired by the stove, shaped by craftsmanship

Spices that deliver what others promise

CHEESE

Paški Sir irana igora “This cheese crumbles well on cutting and is admirably creamy accompanied by a delicious lactic tang,” remarked the panel of this Croatian sheep’s milk cheese from the island of Pag. “A truly outstanding cheese and entirely moreish.” g igora.com

PI Quesos de Hualdo Produced using raw milk from Manchega sheep in La Mancha, Spain, this semi-soft cheese wowed the judges for being “spreadable, creamy and tangy, with a hint of lemon”. They were also full of praise for its balance. quesosdehualdo.com

Etxelekua t e ekua “Deeply enjoyable,” remarked the panel when sampling this Basque raw sheep’s milk cheese. The judges said its texture was “meltingly fudgy”, adding that they enjoyed the balance of sweetness and savouriness on the palate. et e ekua.com

Cristo Del Prado Artesano Con Aceite De Oliva ue o ri to de rado This pressed paste cheese is made using raw sheep’s milk and matured in extra virgin olive oil for more than 60 days. “Sweet and creamy initially, then the sheep character reveals itself,” said the panel, “delivering a tangy, notably salty flavour.” ue o manc ego .com

Queso de Oveja Curado en miel y Oregano Villarejo Corteza Comestible ue o rte ano i are o “This is a full-bodied, visually appealing and unique cheese,” said the panel of this Spanish cheese made using raw ewes’ milk and coated with honey and oregano before maturing for 14 months. ue o i are o.com

Queso Artesano Curado al Romero Villarejo Rosemary ue o rte ano i are o The natural rind of this artisanal Spanish sheep’s cheese is coated with Iberian pig lard and rosemary before maturing for 12 months. “The Spanish skill with ewe’s milk is shown to its full extent in this rich, memorable cheese.” ue o i are o.com

Specially Selected Cave Aged Roquefort AOP di tore “An utterly delicious Roquefort with an intensely creamy paste and welldistributed blue veins,” fed back the panel when eating this soft, crumbly blue caveaged ewe’s milk cheese. “The sharpness is perfect and the flavour e plodes in the mouth.” aldi.co.uk

Deluxe Spanish Castellano PGI raditiona ee e o “The aroma of sheep’s milk is powerful, unmistakable and the palate delivery echoes this,” said the judges of this hard matured sheep’s milk cheese from the Castellano region of Spain. “It has sweet notes, smoothness, salt and a lovely level of acidity to finish.” traditiona c ee e.ie

Finest Manchego Cheese 175 G Tesco “This looks beautiful and it tastes utterly delicious,” remarked the panel when judging this Spanish classic, made with milk from Manchega sheep in the La Mancha region. “It is buttery, creamy, rich and indulgent.” te co.com

Finest Pur Brebis Ewe’s Milk heese with Tru fle 160g Tesco This creamy French ewes’ milk cheese is blended with summer truffle pieces in the Basque region of southern France. “The savoury, umami-rich, aromatic truffle adds complexity and length to the classic ewes’ milk cheese.” te co.com

Cacio al miele di castagno e polline a eificio dei ar i Aged for 70 days, this semi-hard Pecorino cheese is made with organic chestnut honey and pollen in the rind. Judges said this edible rind was “a truly great innovation”. They added: “The rind truly gives added dimension to the experience.” ca eificiodei ar i.it

Spenwood Village Maid Cheese The judges called this “a harmonious cheese” and praised it for being “uncomplicated”. Made with pasteurised sheep’s milk and matured for 6-9 months, the hard-pressed cheese was hailed as “deeply milky with a fabulous balanced acidity”. villagemaidcheese.co.uk

Riserva Del Fondatore a eificio iorino “This is an outstanding cheese with some really sensational characteristics,” said the panel when sampling this Pecorino that has been cave-aged for one year. “The paste is creamy, the salt well balanced, and depth of flavour exceptional.” ca eificioi fiorino.it

Riserva Del Fondatore Special Edition a eificio iorino “This is a simply exquisite cheese,” said the panel of this Pecorino-style cheese that has been cave-aged for a minimum of two years. “The paste is crumbly and rich, with balanced acidity and some sweetness.” ca eificioi fiorino.it

PGI Castellano Sheep’s Milk Old Cheese Quesos Revilla “Upon tasting, the judges were really impressed with the complex-yet-mellow, perfectly balanced flavour,” said the panel. “The texture was buttery and slightly chalky with the salt crystals present and a clean, fresh aftertaste.” ue o re i a.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Fourth generation award winning Ice Cream manufacturers based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Opened in 1914, Rizza’s ice cream is now managed by the fourth generation of the Rizza family in the same corner of Scotland where it began. Rizza’s real dairy ice cream is made with cream from local dairies and we’re proud to be a household name for customers in the Northeast, Highlands and beyond. Our 3-star Pistachio Ice Cream follows our 3-star winning Double Dairy Gold won back in 2019. Come try both in our two Ice Cream Parlours based in Huntly and Lossiemouth!

Dairy Pistachio Ripple Ice Cream

Dairy Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

www.rizzas.co.uk

Great taste. Pour etiquette.

ole lea es otanicals ell o er per tea a ard innin e identl 58

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

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CHEESE

Goat’s Traditional Halloumi A. P. Polycarpou & Sons Farm This handmade halloumi is formed into a traditional half-moon shape. It impressed judges who enjoyed the “delicious tang”. They added: “It has pleasing dairy undertones and a rounded character.” apolycarpou.com

Cyprus Village Halloumi Cheese OliveOlive The judges that sampled this cheese declared they, “had never tasted such a good halloumi.” This one is handmade in Cyprus with 100% goats’ milk. oliveolive.co.uk

Ticklemore Sharpham Partnership Our panel said this cheese, which is handmade using pasteurised Devon goats’ milk was “vibrant, fresh and full of citrus notes”. They added: “presents great intensity for a young cheese.” sharphamcheese.co.uk

Leirgrøv Naturell Vellagra Hol Ysteri “Remarkable depth of flavour is the hallmark of this powerful cheese,” said the judges of this Norwegian washed-curd goats’ milk cheese that has been matured for 24-36 months. “The deep, nutty richness is quite incredible,” they said. holysteri.no

1242 Hol Ysteri This hard, washed-curd goat’s cheese is made using milk from goats that forage on silver leaf willow, blueberry, heather and juniper bushes in mountain pastures. Judges were, “blown away” by this cheese, which they deemed “deliciously complex”. holysteri.no

Blu di Bufala Quattro Portoni La Mediterranea Società Agricola Semplice “This is a fabulous cheese, beautifully made and delivering an impressive depth of flavour,” remarked the panel about this buffalo milk blue cheese. “So much complexity, with notes of mushroom, grass, and pasture.” bufalitaly.it

Velebjan Sirana Gligora Made using Croatian sheep and goats’ milk, this hard cheese really impressed the judges. “This glisteningly golden truckle of hard cheese reveals an opulently rich flavour profile that persists on the palate,” they said, “with appealing tanginess and a delicate balance of salt.” gligora.com

Savour Sharpham Partnership Produced using both cows’ and goats’ milk, this British cheese is based on a young French Savoie-style cheese. “Simultaneously mild and complex,” said judges. “It has a bright acidity that mellows into a delicate, buttery taste.” sharphamcheese.co.uk

Organic Feta PDO cheese Kourellas “This is a very clean and fresh tasting Feta with a pleasingly firm te ture,” remarked the panel. “In the mouth it’s creamy, with a coolness and lactic tang that give it length. It’s well balanced and delightful to eat.” kourellas.com

Boyne Valley Blue Boyne Valley Cheese This semi-hard pasteurised blue goats’ cheese is matured on wooden boards for 6-10 weeks. Our panel of judges said: “it’s creamy yet goaty.” They also enjoyed the “strength and complexity” added by the mild blue veining. boynevalleycheese.com

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE

Rathkenny Boyne Valley Cheese Matured on wooden boards for 4-6 months, this hardpressed white goats’ cheese is produced in a similar style to Manchego and was declared “a cheese that stands out from the crowd,” by the judges who sampled it. boynevalleycheese.com

Not-so-squeaky cheese!

Traditional halloumi cheese, handmade the old fashioned way. Your customers have had enough of the usual, flavourless halloumi that tastes like you’re eating a flip-flop. They deserve the real thing. Handmade in Cyprus the traditional way, this is how halloumi is supposed to be - and they’ll be happy to pay a little extra for the proper stuff.

Vac-packed in various weights between 200-300g Sold by weight MOQ: 5kg (15-20 packs) Shelf life: 1 year minimum Only available from OliveOliveUK Ltd. Check www.oliveolive.co.uk to find out more or contact Rob Marsden direct: info@oliveolive.co.uk / 03330 115566 2

GREAT TASTE 2026 | 3-STAR GUIDE