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Your perception of Lincolnshire...
may be that it is a prarie-like farming region. The fens, in the south of Lincolnshire are certainly flat but have their own character. Big skies, magnificent churches and some of the most fertile soils to be found anywhere - this is where much of this countries finest potatoes come from as well as a hugh range of green vegetables ranging from the humble cabbage to delicate asparagus. Expect to find fields of daffodils interspersed amongst the vegetables, Lincolnshire is the largest producer in the world.
The lush pastures of the rolling Wolds are home to the Holstein cows that supply the milk used to make Lincolnshire Poacher - one of the handmade cheeses produced in the county and close by, the art of making ewes milk has been reintroduced. Sheep milk is also used to produce farmhouse ice cream and yoghurt and these add to the extensive range of locally made dairy products.
Lincolnshire's farmers and butchers supply some of Britain's finest meat. Free range poultry, pork, home cured ham and bacon, local lamb, venison, game and Lincolnshire Red Beef are featured on the menus - alongside traditional local specialties such as stuffed chine, haslet and the famous lincolnshire sausages.
Those traditional windmills are not there just to look pretty, most are in full working order and produce a wide variety of flours, much of which are organic. Local bakeries offer numerous varieties of home made breads, cakes and pastries including Gratham Gingerbread and Lincolnshire Plum bread. Every baker seems to have his own closely guarded recipe for this spicy, fruit filled loaf - keep tasting to find your favourite - usually served buttered, it also works well with Poacher Cheese.
Grimsby, in the northeast of the county handles more fish than any other port in Britain - for a taste not to be missed try fish that has been slowly smoked in one of their traditional smoke houses.
Lincolnshire is rightly proud...
of Batemans Brewery at Wainfleet founded in 1874. Still run by the Batemans family and still winning prizes for their traditional brews but also for their introductions - a multi grain beer and organic 'Yella Belly'.
There is much else to discover - ice cream makers, jam makers, ostrich farmers, chocolatiers and fudge makers - keep you eyes open for the Tastes of Lincolnshire sign. But don't forget that local food is often seasonal - and when something is fresh and at its best, that is when it has the most delicious flavour.
There are also places to visit where you can get an insight into Lincolnshire's food and drink. The Visitor Centre at Batemans Brewery explains the whole process and there are some fiendish pub games to try. Visit any of the dozen working windmills to see the miller at work - wind willing of course.
There are some splendid historic kitchens to view - medieval at Gainsborough Old Hall, Victorian at Burghley House, Belvoir Castle and Church Farm Museum and not forgetting the beautifully restored Victorian kitchen garden at Normanby Hall.
Each of the market towns has its own style, their high streets of individual shops with chain shops few. Market days are still a real event with their auctions of local produce the highlight of the day. In addition, thirteen towns now have a regular Farmers Market, so this is a chance to talk directly to the producer direct.
Discover Tastes of Lincolnshire and discover our local flavour.
Because Tastes of Lincolnshire is a pilot venture it is 'testing ground' for customer reaction and your comments are important to us. As a thank you for your participation, we will enter you into our monthly prize draws for a 'Tastes of Lincolnshire' hamper. Just complete and return to :
Tastes of Lincolnshire,
FREEPOST NEA8642,
Lincolnshire Development,
Beech House,
Waterside South,
Lincoln
LN5 7BR
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