Quince
Quince Pronounce it: kwin-s The two different shapes – apple and pear in which quinces grow are an obvious clue to the fruits to which they are related. When ripe, they are very fragrant, with…
Glossary
Tempranillo
Tempranillo Pronounce it: tem-pra-nee-yo Spain’s Don Juan Tempranillo is THE red grape of Spain. Central Spain uses it to make bright, juicy reds for drinking now – great low-priced party wines. Further North the same…
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…
Sage
Sage Pronounce it: sa-age Popular in both Italian and British cookery, sage has long, grey-green leaves with a slightly furry surface. Its aroma is pungent and it has a strong, slightly minty, musky taste. Traditionally,…
Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds Pronounce it: feh-nell seeds A dried seed that comes from the fennel herb, fennel seeds look like cumin seeds, only greener, and have an aniseed flavour and a warm, sweet aroma. They’re also…
Sweet potato
Sweet potato Pronounce it: sweet po-tate-toe Sweet potatoes have a creamy texture and a sweet-spicy flavour that makes them ideal for savoury dishes. There are two types, one with bright orange flesh, the other with…
Grapefruit
Grapefruit Pronounce it: grape-froot Named for the fact that the fruits grow in grape-like bunches, grapefruits are the largest citrus fruits, growing up to 18cm in diameter. Inside, the flesh is segmented, like an orange,…
Toffee
Toffee Pronounce it: toff-ee There are few secrets to toffee. It is simply sugar that has been heated until caramelised, to a lesser or greater degree, and then allowed to cool and set. Depending on…
Swiss chard
Swiss chard Pronounce it: swiss shard Also known as plain chard, Swiss chard has large, fleshy, tender, deep green leaves and thick, crisp stalks. Although they’re unrelated, chard is similar to spinach, but with a stronger, more…
Noble grape
Noble grape Pronounce it: no-ble grayp In the competitive, commercial world of wine, some grape varieties are more equal than others – the traditional varietals of the classic grape growing regions – and these are…