Dobbies Gardeners Hamper Review

Reviewed by Emma Rogers

The Dobbies Gardeners Hamper includes 6 items of food, most with an English slant on the garden crops we are most familiar with. It includes:

• Punchy Beetroot & Thyme Dressing and Marinade
• Cradoc’s Golden Baked Bocktail Biscuits with Leek & Caerphilly Cheese
• Poacher’s Pickle
• Sunshine Rosemary and Garlic Olives
• Miller’s Spiced Fruit Chutney with an English Real Ale
• Nettle and Caper Pesto

When the hamper arrived (complete in a sturdy presentation box so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged in transit) I knew I hadn’t tried anything like any of the ingredients before! They all complement each other for the Christmas season with the different chutneys and pestos. First, we tried the cocktail biscuits with the nettle pesto. Now, I’ve not ever tried nettle with anything, so I was surprised to find that it was like most pestos, but a slightly finer texture. I knew I already liked capers, so it was a pleasant combination along with the Caerphilly biscuits which have a tangy, cheesy taste to them. The rosemary and garlic olives are just as you imagine with the rosemary flavour but also enough garlic to taste it.

We tried the English Ale Chutney on another night again with the biscuits. I think it would go well with strong cheeses, but you can’t have too much of it in a mouthful because I thought the ale came across quite strong! It is certainly fruity though, and have a lovely fruit-like texture and a spicy after taste that makes it feel very satisfying. I think this goes well with a strong cheese, not just with biscuits. The poacher’s pickle is another great delicacy (I love chutneys anyway, so this hamper was a real treat!) and it’s certainly very “British Garden” with a tomato and apple taste. It’s not too rich though so it will go with anything, and I was surprised at how fresh it tasted, as if it were made yesterday. Lastly, the Punchy Beetroot & Thyme dressing was used on a salad the next day. No need to add extra beetroot to the salad as it’s fruit enough as it is, and there’s a touch of ginger in there too with the thyme, which makes an interesting combination, and dressed-up the salad.

I do like this hamper, not just because of the Garden of England theme but because it would make a great gift for anyone who was interested in food, but also anyone who likes to try something new in the kitchen, with different tasting ingredients and all home grown!

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £24.99

For more information or to find your nearest Dobbies store visit www.dobbies.com.