Good afternoon everybody,
To begin, an update from the Covered Market. With warmer days forecast for the coming weeks, we wanted to share some of the cold drinks available at the market, so over to Vera:
"The hotter weather ushers in our lineup of refreshing drinks. First up is the Matcha Cloud - organic coconut water paired with cold-whisked Japanese matcha and a delicate layer of milk foam. Or go bold with our Espresso Tonic – a shot of Red Bank Penny Rock espresso over crisp grapefruit and juniper tonic, finished with a slice of dried Sorrento lemon. Traditionalists will appreciate our signature espresso-based drinks served over ice, including iced lattes and long blacks, while those seeking something lighter can enjoy our sparkling cordials, Rapscallion sodas or a crisp organic kombucha from Momo. Find your match at the market this week."
With summer in full swing, we are making the most of the abundance of British fruit on the pastry counter. This week our thumbprint cookie is filled with a little puddle of strawberry jam. Our ricotta bun returns, studded with fragrant and juicy cherries from Worcestershire and topped with a buttery crumble – a combination stolen from a classic Italian torta and ideal for breakfast, elevenses or mid-afternoon with tea. Next up is the almond frangipane galette made with organic Guara almonds regeneratively grown in Andalusia, plums from Styan Family Produce and homemade flaky puff pastry. And finally, a big hitter... our American crumb cake, adorned with raspberries that bring both fruitiness and acidity to a rich, dense cake. A grand slam!
For your picnic needs, the cheese fridge will be filled with Perroche – light, fresh and citrusy, this very young goat’s cheese is rolled in fresh herbs – along with fresh buffalo mozzarella from the Piana del Sele. Plus we have some little Italian ‘beer sticks.’ These long and thin salamis are made by Mauro & Chiara Casetta from their free-range large white pigs, with the whole process of rearing and butchering happening on site at their farm in Piedmont. We will also have little packs of lemon and vanilla shortbread ready to pick up and go along with our sausage rolls and Montgomery cheddar and spring onion scones. This week also marks the return of Sparkenhoe Red Leicester to the fridge. Tender and crumbly with a savoury long finish, it sits impeccably alongside a creamy St Jude with its fudgy textured and grassy notes; the perfect duo for an impromptu cheeseboard.
Here's to a week of sunshine and hopefully some outdoor eating.
Thank you for reading,
The Hamblin Team
5th July 2026 Summertime Aces