The damaging nature of palm oil is most often attributed to its source and impact on the environment. Most widely publicised is the plight of orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. TV programmes have helped raise this issue and further reading is available from Friends of the Earth: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/oil_for_ape_summary.pdf).
As a result, more companies are switching to sustainable sources of palm oil and are rightfully keen to differentiate themselves. Both Simpsons Bakery and Nairns are using organic palm oil that is claimed to come from ecologically sustainable sources. Nairn's supplier is even one of the founding members of Roundtable for the Production of Sustainable Palm Oil (http://www.rspo.org/). This can at least allay some of our fears.
There are however more direct consequences of consuming palm oil and that is its effect on the body. Producers are often keen to cite that it is free of trans-fatty acids, which indeed it is: trans-fatty acids have been used widely in processed foods, have detrimental affects on health, and are best avoided. What producers however omit to tell you is that palm oil is a saturated fat, also known to poor for one's health.
The World Health Organisation’s recent report states that it is a contributory factor in increasing risk of heart disease due to it being high in saturated fats (http://www.who.int/hpr/NPH/docs/who_fao_expert_report.pdf). A source even closer to home, the NHSDirect Health Encyclopedia states it in even plainer English: 'You should avoid food containing saturated fats because these will increase the levels of bad cholestrol in your blood.' This advice is given clearly across encyclopedia entries for the prevention of stroke, high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.
Palm oil, whether organic or sustainable, both or neither, is used in many processed baked goods: it is relatively cheap and contributes to products having a longer shelf life. Anyone attempting a wheat-free diet and has read the labels will know that to get a product that has one without the other is a boon. When I manage to track down any of these highly-desirable and rare-breed products I will be sure to share these with you.
Friday 6 June 2008
Taste of Edinburgh May 2008
Last Saturday was the first glorious summer's day to hit a weekend in Edinburgh in 2008. This was fortuitous as was the day we went to the much-hyped and rather over-priced Taste of Edinburgh event held in The Meadows.
The day was a huge success if measured by the extent of bared skin, thankfully less sun-burnt than is traditional to see on the first sight of sun. The place was flooded by multitude of tea-dresses, long shorts and sunnies.
I wouldn't call the event a complete success however. For £12 entry, plus the need to buy vouchers to eat or drink inside, it was not particularly good value for money. Sadly when our food did arrive, the quantity was quite skimpy - a disappointment really.
Perhaps it was mismarketed - a Taste of Edinburgh to me suggested a fair bit of sampling. While samples were available from the stalls, a great many were alcohol-based and there wasn't nearly enough food samples to provide a pleasant balance. Perhaps my cunningly light breakfast was my own downfall.
All was not lost though, as I wandered amongst the stalls, I came across the Simpsons of Speyside, purveyors of the humble oatcake. And there, sitting on one of the taster plates was one of my sought-after goods – wheat-free and palm oil- free oatcakes. See my blog on top three oatcakes to buy to find out more.
The day was a huge success if measured by the extent of bared skin, thankfully less sun-burnt than is traditional to see on the first sight of sun. The place was flooded by multitude of tea-dresses, long shorts and sunnies.
I wouldn't call the event a complete success however. For £12 entry, plus the need to buy vouchers to eat or drink inside, it was not particularly good value for money. Sadly when our food did arrive, the quantity was quite skimpy - a disappointment really.
Perhaps it was mismarketed - a Taste of Edinburgh to me suggested a fair bit of sampling. While samples were available from the stalls, a great many were alcohol-based and there wasn't nearly enough food samples to provide a pleasant balance. Perhaps my cunningly light breakfast was my own downfall.
All was not lost though, as I wandered amongst the stalls, I came across the Simpsons of Speyside, purveyors of the humble oatcake. And there, sitting on one of the taster plates was one of my sought-after goods – wheat-free and palm oil- free oatcakes. See my blog on top three oatcakes to buy to find out more.
Wednesday 4 June 2008
the humble oatcake – top three to buy
Tracking down a good wheat-free (WF) oatcake is harder than you might initially realise. Surely they’re all made that way, I hear you say, the clue is in the title. Sadly not. And the challenge is really on to find one that's free of palm oil (POF) and organic (O). Below I give you my top favourite oatcakes, starting from the top...
1st Place: Paterson's 'Organic Oatcakes (WF, O, POF) As their website proudly claims their '...oatcake range is also completely free from palm oil so are orang-utan friendly'. They are absolutely delicious, great depth of flavour and suitably crunchy without falling to pieces too easily. I can count 7 varieties in their range, plus 2 flavours of oatbites and oatcrackers too. www.wildaboutoats.com/
2nd Place: Simpsons of Speyside's 'Olive Oil Oatcakes' - (WF, POF) One of their range of 10 different wheat-free varieties, Simpsons has produced a delicious oatcake that meets all requirements. They use organic oats supplied from nearby and use extra-virgin olive oil. For a taste preview, go online to order or hold your breath just a little while until their Edinburgh suppliers are confirmed - details to come... http://www.simpsonsoatcakes.com/
3rd Place: Nairns 'Organic Oatcakes'- (WF, O) Nairn's range is entirely wheat-free, consisting of 6 varieties of oatcakes, plus a selection of oat biscuits and oat bites. All oatcakes (with the exception of the minis) come in sets of 6, making them perfect for a handbag handy. While the 'organic oatcakes' contain palm oil, they have been a firm favourite until recently and are readily available, both in local shops and supermarkets. http://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/
1st Place: Paterson's 'Organic Oatcakes (WF, O, POF) As their website proudly claims their '...oatcake range is also completely free from palm oil so are orang-utan friendly'. They are absolutely delicious, great depth of flavour and suitably crunchy without falling to pieces too easily. I can count 7 varieties in their range, plus 2 flavours of oatbites and oatcrackers too. www.wildaboutoats.com/
2nd Place: Simpsons of Speyside's 'Olive Oil Oatcakes' - (WF, POF) One of their range of 10 different wheat-free varieties, Simpsons has produced a delicious oatcake that meets all requirements. They use organic oats supplied from nearby and use extra-virgin olive oil. For a taste preview, go online to order or hold your breath just a little while until their Edinburgh suppliers are confirmed - details to come... http://www.simpsonsoatcakes.com/
3rd Place: Nairns 'Organic Oatcakes'- (WF, O) Nairn's range is entirely wheat-free, consisting of 6 varieties of oatcakes, plus a selection of oat biscuits and oat bites. All oatcakes (with the exception of the minis) come in sets of 6, making them perfect for a handbag handy. While the 'organic oatcakes' contain palm oil, they have been a firm favourite until recently and are readily available, both in local shops and supermarkets. http://www.nairns-oatcakes.com/
Sunday 1 June 2008
a meat-eater’s delight at Ardross
Once a year, we spend a long weekend in Elie and one of the most wonderful culinary delights is our trip to Ardross Farm Shop, just I mile north-east of Elie on the coast road. Our delight mostly centred around the delicious meat they have on offer.
Ardross Farm use traditional farming methods to produce their own cattle. While not 'organic', the welfare of their animals is a priority as is providing them with local GM-free feed. A perfect opportunity to buy local and feel comfortable about how the beasts were kept. The rump steak was excellent, full of flavour and tender to boot. We are very satisfied customers: 3 frozen packs have made it via the cooler to our freezer in the city.
http://www.ardrossfarm.co.uk/
They are also suppliers of Ballencrief sausages and bacon, which we found out comes from Longniddry on this side of the Firth. Absolutely phenomenally delicious and lucky for us, also available at the Edinburgh Farmers Market. Again 2 packs via the cooler to freezer. Their honey mustard one sausages are excellent and I can't even find words to explain exactly how delicious the bacon is. I'm just in heaven.
http://www.ballencrieffrppigs.co.uk/shop.php
If that's not good enough news for the Edinburgh resident, they share another good thing in common: Mrs Hamilton's lamb. I was delighted to find delicious gluten-free lamb and onion burgers that blew my socks off. Next to the Ardross steak, it was definitely rich, but certainly no less delicious.
http://www.mrshamilton.com/
And to round off the meaty entries with a touch of green... just yesterday, we discovered their garlic scapes. These are the parts of the garlic grown above ground, and can be sauteed for 6-7 minutes and then served. They are truly garlickily delicious. They were a bit strong for some as part of our 11am Sunday brunch, but would be perfect to have with some fresh crispy greenery a bit later on in the day. Looking forward to a trip up to the farmers' market when our supplies run out for more tastes in the present to remind us of the beautiful East Neuk and one of its many perks, Ardross.
http://www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ (every second Saturday on Castle Terrace).
Ardross Farm use traditional farming methods to produce their own cattle. While not 'organic', the welfare of their animals is a priority as is providing them with local GM-free feed. A perfect opportunity to buy local and feel comfortable about how the beasts were kept. The rump steak was excellent, full of flavour and tender to boot. We are very satisfied customers: 3 frozen packs have made it via the cooler to our freezer in the city.
http://www.ardrossfarm.co.uk/
They are also suppliers of Ballencrief sausages and bacon, which we found out comes from Longniddry on this side of the Firth. Absolutely phenomenally delicious and lucky for us, also available at the Edinburgh Farmers Market. Again 2 packs via the cooler to freezer. Their honey mustard one sausages are excellent and I can't even find words to explain exactly how delicious the bacon is. I'm just in heaven.
http://www.ballencrieffrppigs.co.uk/shop.php
If that's not good enough news for the Edinburgh resident, they share another good thing in common: Mrs Hamilton's lamb. I was delighted to find delicious gluten-free lamb and onion burgers that blew my socks off. Next to the Ardross steak, it was definitely rich, but certainly no less delicious.
http://www.mrshamilton.com/
And to round off the meaty entries with a touch of green... just yesterday, we discovered their garlic scapes. These are the parts of the garlic grown above ground, and can be sauteed for 6-7 minutes and then served. They are truly garlickily delicious. They were a bit strong for some as part of our 11am Sunday brunch, but would be perfect to have with some fresh crispy greenery a bit later on in the day. Looking forward to a trip up to the farmers' market when our supplies run out for more tastes in the present to remind us of the beautiful East Neuk and one of its many perks, Ardross.
http://www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk/ (every second Saturday on Castle Terrace).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
