Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ice Cream
Look out for Ottery Valley Dairy in east Devon, Roskilly's (
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)
in St Keverne, Jelbert's (
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)
in Newlyn, Salcombe Dairy in south Devon, Moomaid (
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) in Zennor and Helsett (
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) in Boscastle.
Cream Teas
If the Cornish claim pasties as their own, Devonians do the same for cream teas. Some
historians date the sweet snack back to the 10th century, when monks fed bread, cream
and jam to workers repairing a Devon abbey after a Viking raid.
At its best a cream tea is a delightful combination of light scones, tasty homemade jam,
a steaming brew and utterly gooey clotted cream. Locally there's heated debate about
which to spread first: the jam or the cream. The Cornish plump for jam; Devonians cream.
Fish
The fruits of the southwest's seas provide a tasty, tangible link between food and place.
Eating fish that's been landed a few yards away is special - still in buckets, it's sometimes
even carried past diners by waterproofs-clad fishermen.
Rejoice in these negligible food miles in the ports of Newlyn, Falmouth, Padstow and
Mevagissey in Cornwall; and Brixham, Torquay and Dartmouth in Devon. Some 40-plus
species are still hauled in locally. Highlights include superb oysters, mussels, crab and
lobster, line-caught sea bass and mackerel, and the freshest monkfish, John Dory and
Dover sole.
Then there's the classic fish and chips. Wrapped in paper, dripping with vinegar and
scattered with salt, it can be surprisingly good, especially in ports where the day's catch
ends up in batter.
Cheese
Creamy, tangy, soft and hard, the southwest offers cheese lovers countless slices of gour-
met heaven. Look out for these highlights:
Quickes
Mouth-puckeringly strong cheddar, made near Exeter.
Cornish Yarg
Gentle, nettle-wrapped and semi-hard.
Brie
Try Cornish Country Larder, and Sharpham (Devon).
Blue Cheeses
(aka the 'Blues') Exmoor (cow), Devon (cow), Harbourne (goat) and Beenleigh (sheep).
Cornish Blue
A Gorgonzola-esque, gooey offering from the fringes of Bodmin Moor.
Davidstow
Creamy, award-winning cheddar, with a 60-year heritage.
