ELISHA EATS
The term ‘artisan’ gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? And where can you find hand-crafted, ethically sourced food in Cambridge? Elisha Young reveals the best our city has to offer Enjoy a taste of artisanal Cambridge
W hen you hear ‘artisanal food’, what do you think of? It’s possible you’re imagining obscure and region-specific eats being expertly crafted by an elderly man. While this can often be the case, the unique blend of history, heritage and cutting-edge technology in Cambridge makes its artisanal food scene stand out from the crowd. By definition, these are foods made in small batches via traditional methods – by hand instead of mass-produced and industrially manufactured – and normally using high-quality, local ingredients. They are the result of combining passion with expertise. So where can you get hold of these delicacies in Cambridge? Maybe it’s a sign that I’m getting old, but I’ve started to appreciate a well-curated cheeseboard – and there’s no better place to indulge than at The Cambridge Cheese Company. This independent deli stocks over 200 cheeses alongside chilli sauce, olive oil, cured meats, local honey and handmade marmalade. You can even buy Dorstone cheese (with its citrussy tang and goaty flavour) that has been matured in Cambridge cellars. The business cares about its sustainability too; partnering with Foodstuff for zero-emissions local deliveries, buying from ethical suppliers and reusing as much packaging as possible. Cambridge Gin Laboratory on Green Street offers customers something a bit stronger. The distillery was founded with the intention to create gins from fresh, delicate botanicals, which it does using its state-of-the-art ‘novo-dimensional distillation matrix’. This might explain its title of most innovative distillery in the world, awarded three times in a row. Its Curator’s Gin was developed in collaboration with curator of Cambridge University Botanic Garden Professor Sam
SAY CHEESE! The Cambridge Cheese Company (right) and Cambridge Gin Laboratory (far right)
64 NOVEMBER 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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