Clementine
Clementine Pronounce it: kleh-men-tyne The smallest and sweetest variety of tangerine is sweet and tangy, contains no seeds and is recognisable by its loose, baggy bright orange skin. Tangerine segments can be eaten on their…
Ketjap manis/Kecap manis
Ketjap manis/Kecap manis Originating in Indonesia, ketjap manis is a condiment similar to soy sauce but sweeter, with a thick, syrupy texture. Sometimes referred to as Indonesian ketchup, it’s made with palm sugar and spices…
Okra
Okra Pronounce it: oh-kra Originally from Africa, okra is now widely used in cuisines such as Caribbean, Creole, Cajun and Indian. It’s also known as bhindi or lady’s fingers, in reference to the long, elegantly…
Cherry
Cherry Pronounce it: che-ree One of the delights of the summer, cherries are much loved for their succulent texture, flavour and gorgeous good looks. The juicy flesh can be sweet or sour, depending on which…
Salsify
Salsify Pronounce it: sal-suhf-eye A root vegetable belonging to the dandelion family, salsify is also known as the oyster plant because of its oystery taste when cooked. The root is similar in appearance to a…
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…
Spring greens
Spring greens Pronounce it: sp-ring gr-eens Spring greens are the first cabbages of the year. They have fresh, loose heads without the hard heart of other cabbages. Availability Spring greens are at their peak from…
X.O cognac
X.O cognac Pronounce it: exx-oh con-yak Created in 1870 for the personal use of Maurice Hennessy and his family and friends, X.O is a type of distilled wine and is widely considered the ultimate in…
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,…
Tahini
Tahini Pronounce it: ta-hee-nee Also known as tahina, this finely ground paste of husked and roasted sesame seeds is an absolutely basic ingredient and flavouring of Middle Eastern foods. It can be used in savoury…