September 2022

tastin wins Great Taste 2022 award

 Tasted by the experts, Mandarine & Extra Virgin Olive Oil from IMCB, Lda. is awarded a Great Taste 3-star in 2022

Portugal-based tastin, has been named among the top food and drink producers globally this year, picking up a highly prized 3-star Great Taste award for its Mandarine & Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

More than 14,000 products were put through the competition’s rigorous blind judging process; and tastin – IMCB, Lda. was dubbed at the world’s most coveted food and drink awards. 4,078 products were awarded a Great Taste 1-star – ‘food and drink that delivers fantastic flavour’, 1,237 were awarded a Great Taste 2-star – ‘above and beyond delicious’, and 241 were awarded a Great Taste 3-star – ‘extraordinarily tasty food and drink’.

What is Great Taste?

Recognised as a stamp of excellence and actively sought out by food lovers and retailers alike, Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, values taste above all else. All products in the line-up for judging are blind-tasted: every product is removed from its packaging so it cannot be identified, before entering a robust, layered judging process.

This year, the judging took place over 90 days across two judging locations (Dorset and London) with a panel of more than 500 judges. This year’s line-up saw food and drink products submitted from a staggering 110 different countries from across the world. 

April 2022

GOLD!

 SILVER!

  BRONZE! 

tastin – Imcb  entered for the first time in the World’s Original Marmalade Awards 2022 at Dalemain in England
and received 5 prestigious awards that enchanted us: 1 GOLD, 1 SILVER and 3 BRONZE!

A firm favourite, the Gold Winner : Orange, Grapefruit, Guava and Aperitivo Rosato Marmalade, is particularly loved for its subtil  flavour and aroma, and clearly the judges agreed! They were very impressed with the marmalade’s appearance, colour, consistency, aroma and flavour.

Despite the pandemic, the Marmalade Awards received a record-breaking number of entries this year, with over 3000 jars from more than 30 countries worldwide including Japan, Canada, Australia, Czech Republic, USA and Lebanon. The Artisan jars are judged by an expert panel including food writer Dan Lepard, Fortnum & Mason Grocery Buyer Sarah Metcalf, and David Atherton food writer and winner of The Great British Baked Off 2019 and the  accolade that has been awarded denotes marmalades of exceptional quality.  
 
The World’s Original Marmalade Awards were founded in 2005 to help to preserve, grow and widen one of the most British of customs – marmalade making. From small beginnings, they have grown into an internationally renowned and highly acclaimed event, with support from leading companies such as Fortnum & Mason, The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and Paddington Bear.
 
The Awards have inspired people from all over the world to get involved. In 2022, over 3,000 jars of marmalade were sent from countries as far away as South Korea, Botswana, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, while the Artisan Marmalade competition has helped to promote small producers around the world. Judged by a small panel of experts, Dalemain roundels denote marmalade of exemplary quality.
 
At the heart of the Awards & Festival is Dalemain Mansion, a Georgian stately home lived in by the same family for over 300 years and the holder of a rich archive of early marmalade recipes. 

tastin hopes that you will also love our Awarded Marmalades, that can be purchased in: www.tastin.pt

This Tiny Portuguese Island Is Home To One Of The Most Unique Cheeses On Earth

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BY RACHEL PASCHE in Tastintable.com

What if we told you there was a teeny island in the Atlantic ocean that's nearly constantly shrouded in fog, has twice as many cows as people, and makes a one-of-a-kind cheese? Sounds a little bit like a fairytale, the great setting for a romance novel, or maybe an Anthony Bourdain special, but it's very real, and it's every bit as magical as it sounds. 
The island of São Jorge lies 900 miles west of Portugal, a lush landscape with "towering grassy cliffs, ... rich volcanic soil," and a population that consists of mostly cows (via Cheese Connoisseur). The unique climate and abundance of bovines make for an incredibly rare cheese that is only created on the island, aptly named São Jorge cheese. The island's economy is so reliant on the product, that time "is set by when the cows need milking." The Azore island employs traditional cheesemaking methods, which gives it a distinct flavor and texture not present in other cheese.

The cow's diet and lifestyle plays a big role

Described by Cheese Connoisseur as having a "notable ... firm, crumbly texture similar to Cheddar," São Jorge cheese offers a distinct flavor that can't be found elsewhere. The outlet shares that, "as it ages, São Jorge cheese transforms from a slightly sweet, mild flavor to a certain tang and spiciness." Due to the way the curds are packed, the cheese is "buttery yellow" in appearance and "dotted with tiny, irregular eyes."
Free-range cows are welcome to graze where they please, consuming only the wild grasses and herbs on the island. This imparts the cheese with its distinct grassy aroma. Rather than using commercial cultures, whey from the previous day's batch is added to the milk. It is believed by some that this method is part of what lends the cheese its unique flavor. Variations in the herbs and grasses the cows eat are based on the growing seasons, meaning each wheel is unique and the flavors change slightly from batch to batch. 
The weather affects the cheese, too, according to Food Insider, with the best cheeses coming from the winter months due to the humidity. This is also why the cheese is aged at room temperature, often at higher elevations — to take full advantage of the island's foggy climate.

Read more

Visit Ilha de São Jorge with António Faria

4 easy and healthy canned tuna recipes

These recipes are quick, easy to make and most of them are healthy. These recipes are great for quick lunch or dinner, as a post workout meal (they are high protein) or even a prep meal to take to school or work. Whether you prefer something light like tuna sandwich or some tuna oatmeal patties/tuna quinoa patties to take to work or school, you will love all of these delicious recipes. 

Créditos: The Cooking Foodie 

Alright, alright, settle down - I see you two laughing back there. Let’s come to attention, sharpen our knives, and act like adults because today we’re learning how to cut every cheese. Join Anne Saxelby, founder and co-owner of Saxelby Cheesemongers, for a crash course on how to impress your entourage with any fromage. From the firm and tangy to the creamy and salty, Anne lays out the best tools and techniques for serving nearly any cheese you could think of.

Thanks to: Epicurious

Pairing Chutney with Cheese

The most common ingredients of chutneys are pepper, fruits and vegetables, or a mixture of these. The spices used in their preparation almost invariably includes brown sugar, salt, garlic, onion, honey, vinegar, ginger and cinnamon. Spices commonly used are coriander, cumin, etc.

Tips: Delicious with cream cheese, roasted pork, beef, in sandwiches, like a dip, etc. Wonderful in a French baguette with beef, rucola, and curry! Better Homes and Gardens

Healthy Tuna Stuffed Avocado

This Healthy Tuna Stuffed Avocado is stuffed with a flavorful southwest mixture of tuna, bell pepper, jalapeno, and cilantro. No mayo necessary here! It’s the perfect healthy lunch. 

Thanks to: The stay at home cheff

INGREDIENTS

1 avocado, halved and pitted 1 (4.5 oz) cans tuna, drained ¼ cup diced red bell pepper 1 tablespoons minced jalapeno 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon lime juice salt and pepper (to taste)