FITCH Brew Co - Cold Brew Coffee

We are heading up to Yorkshire for The Amazing Blog this time - and happily so, for some of the best things come out of this glorious part of England AKA ‘God’s own country’, and we are never slow in jumping forward to celebrate it. But we aren’t talking ubiquitous puddings, or dales here, but coffee - deliciously smooth, and naturally sweet, cold brewed coffee to be exact! The secret of cold brewing we learn, is that it takes longer for the flavours and aromas to extract, and therefore keeps the acidity low. The Fitch Brew Co have taken this concept and added their own roasting technique and grind profiles to create a superb range of refreshing and totally delicious coffees for us all to enjoy.

Founded by young pioneers Andy and Emily who knew that there was more to soft drinks, more to flavour, more to brewing techniques and more to transparency! All coffee used in cold brew here is from using single origin, Rainforest Alliance coffee where they apply their own specific roast and grind profile. The cooler the water the slower the flavours and aromas will extract. It also has a limited acidity thus providing a naturally sweet and smooth taste. The names of each coffee are themselves a magnet for our tastebuds. Here are our favourite three: Coffee Infused With Sicilian Lemon, or perhaps the Blood Orange Infusion  will tempt you? Delve a little deeper and we find Dark Fortune Cold Brew Coffee with Amber Tonic which definitely gives a good zing! It is well worth checking out to see their full range, and to read the background story to this creative team, who also pride themselves on their sustainability through a collaboration with Bio-Bean to recycle their coffee waste into high performance products, displacing conventional fuels and chemicals.

Each coffee is brewed in-house, with all-natural ingredients, no refined sugar and all vegan friendly - giving every one of us a drop of Yorkshire magic in each can, along with the required caffeine hit to brace us for the morning. Each can is 330ml, and depending on the flavour, they range in price from £1.99 - £2.20, but let’s face it, none of us will be opting for ‘just the one’ option, so obviously there are multipacks at £8.50 for a pack of four cans. All the ranges and much more merchandise besides are available here.  

Irish Black Butter

Let’s make a short hop, skip and a jump over to Ireland for this post, to highlight a small jar of pure versatility in the form of Irish Black Butter - a new concept using ancient techniques, for us all to enjoy whether we want to go down the sweet or the savoury route. The main ingredients here are the rich bramley apples from Armagh which are then blended with cider, brandy and spices, producing a mouth-watering conserve of dark velvet indulgence.

Now the obvious choice here for us at The Amazing Blog would be to try this on a slice of toast - very yum we can confirm - or perhaps a more decadent scone with some cream perhaps - completely yum - but the versatility of this ‘other black stuff’ comes when we start using in a more experimental manner for the ultimate ‘yum’. How about on our porridge? Or mixed with some thick greek yoghurt? The options for this little pot of black gold are endless, but one recipe, we would urge you to try is to slather it over a ham before cooking it - the delicious flavours from the oven will swirl around the kitchen like a warm Irish hug and tease those taste buds for what is to come. Not forgetting to mention that it is vegan, vegetarian friendly, dairy free, wheat free and comes in cute little jar. 

The Irish Black Butter Company was formed in 2017 by Alastair Bell who has a background in farming and events management. Clearly a well-founded belief in his Irish Black Butter, which has gone on to sweep boards of awards with two stars in the Great Taste Awards 2018 and Chefs Choice Award in the Irish Food Awards 2018; and of course, now securing many stockists throughout Ireland. Of course, in this day and age we don’t have to be local to the Emerald Isle to get our hands on a jar, as we can simply go to here and click on their shop to order - 125g will cost you £3.95, and the 225g jar costs £5.95. If ever there was a condiment which no self-respecting larder should be without, then surely this is it.

Eighty Six

Being of the much publicised boomerang generation, a little over a year ago I found myself up to my eyeballs in student overdrafts and having to make the dreaded decision to move home. And finally, finally after thirteen long months of suburbia living and the agonising daily commute I’ve moved back to the Big Smoke. And wanting to make the most of this great city I am making it my mission to hunt out some of the most fabulous haunts London has to offer.

And one that certainly ranks highly is Eighty Six, a fabulously decadent bar and restaurant located on the Fulham Road. Set over an impressive three floors Eight Six has a bar, a restaurant and a private dining room, all of which boast inviting menus and are beautifully decorated.

The ground floor has an art-deco inspired interior with a chic yet relaxed atmosphere and is perfect for after –work drinks or a bite to eat with friends. Or if you fancy a girly night out and a bit of a boogy, head down to Eighty Six on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday where a live DJ starts spinning the decks from 9pm onwards. Special parties can be catered for in The Snug, a private area complete with comfy sofas, a unique fireplace and personal waiters.

Also on offer is a mouth-watering menu with fabulous brunch choices including American-Style Pancakes, Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs and a traditional English Breakfast – perfect for the morning after the night before.

For fine dining both the restaurant and private dining room provide an opulent alternative to the ground floor. The first floor’s sumptuous interior is bathed in gold, dark wood and mirrors, and fuses style and glamour for an all-round fabulous food experience.

Finally, ideal for large private parties, celebrations or corporate events, the private dining room is the perfect party space. With a capacity of 30 for dining or 60 for standing it can cater for a wide range of needs and is both self-contained and sophisticated.

Dress to impress!