Chestnut
Chestnut Pronounce it: chest-nut ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…’ that kitsch old Nat King Cole song perfectly sums up the comforting, Christmassy appeal of this sweet, crumbly nut. In contrast to other nuts, chestnuts…
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Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc Pronounce it: shen-in blonk Can be sensational Chenin Blanc could easily be classified as one of the great ‘noble’ grapes. That’s because all around the world, in different climates and soils, it can…
Corked
Corked Pronounce it: core-k’d Wine can be faulty for a number of reasons, for example if air has seeped into the bottle the wine can become ‘oxidised’ and taste of sherry. In the case of…
Crab apple
Crab apple Pronounce it: crab app-el A tiny sour apple that either grows wild or is cultivated. There are several varieties that grow in the UK, North America and the Far East. Most crab apple…
Cavolo nero
Cavolo nero Pronounce it: ca-voll-oh nee-ro A loose-leafed cabbage from Tuscany, Italy. The leaves are a very dark green, almost black, hence its name, which translates as ‘black cabbage’. It has a pleasantly tangy, bitter…
Cinnamon
Cinnamon Pronounce it: sin-ah-mun A fragrant spice which comes from the inner bark of a tropical tree. When dried, it curls into quills that are used to add a warm, distinctive flavour and aroma to…
Coriander seed
Coriander seed Pronounce it: kor-ee-and-er seed The small, creamy brown seeds of the coriander plant give dishes a warm, aromatic and slightly citrus flavour totally different to fresh coriander leaves. They are commonly used in…
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pronounce it: cab-er-nay sew-vin-yon The global classic Cabernet Sauvignon can fairly claim to be the most noble of the noble great varieties. Wherever in the world winemakers have wanted to produce their versions of the…
Celeriac
Celeriac Pronounce it: sell-air-e-ak The unsung hero of the vegetable world, knobbly, odd-shaped celeriac has a subtle, celery-like flavour, with nutty overtones. Try it as mash, in big-flavoured, slow-cook dishes, or in its classic form,…
Caramel
Caramel Pronounce it: ca-ra-mel This is white, granulated sugar melted until it browns, after which it sets clear and hard when it cools. A richly coloured caramel adds delicious, contrasting degrees of deeper flavour and…