Dorset is a rural country with many farms; visiting local pubs and restaurants and buying food
from the grocery stores offers the opportunity to buy food grown and bred locally. Much will be unbranded, however here are a selection of brands whose reputation have spread well
beyond Dorset’s boundaries.
Olives et Al
Inspired by their travels, Giles and Anne Henschel launched the company selling a range of olive-based products in 1993; they have stores in Poundbury in Dorchester and Sturminster Newton. www.olivesetal.co.uk
Dorset Blue Vinny
A traditional recipe, the cheese was once widely produced; it is now only produced by The Dorset Blue company. Any leftovers go towards the delicious soup range. www.dorsetblue.com
Moore’s Biscuits
Established since 1880; they produce a wide variety of biscuits but perhaps the best known is the Dorset Knob biscuit, a hard, dry savoury biscuit perfect for dunking or eating with cheese.
Dorset Apple cake
Voted Dorset’s official food, there are many twists on the basic recipe which can be found in bakers, delicatessens and tea shops around the county. Particular to Portland is Portland Dough Cake which can be found in bakers in that area. www.dorsetapplecake.co.uk
Dorset Apple cake
Voted Dorset’s official food, there are many twists on the basic recipe which can be found in bakers, delicatessens and tea shops around the county. Particular to Portland is Portland Dough Cake which can be found in bakers in that area. www.dorsetapplecake.co.uk
Palmers Dorset Gold
England’s only thatched brewery has been brewing traditional ales since 1794; the brewery is in Bridport and has a visitor centre; the company also has a number of pubs in the west of the county.
Purbeck Ice Cream
Made near Swanage using milk from their own farm, the company are now a nationally recognised producer of farmmade real dairy ice cream. They have some unusual flavours including Chilli Red, beetroot and horseradish!
Chococo
For fresh, hand-made luxury chocolates, visit Chococo’s shop and café in Swanage. The company uses many local ingredients and runs workshops and parties. www.chococo.co.uk
Dorset Cereals
The company sells over 25 million packs of cereals, crunch bars and porridge every year. Based in Poundbury in Dorchester. www.dorsetcereals.co.uk
Honeybuns of Holwell
Just outside Sherborne, this company makes a range of award-winning gluten-, wheat- and dairy-free cakes, flapjacks, cookies and shortbreads. www.honeybuns.co.uk
Dorset Tea
Originally known as Spicers, they are the oldest company of its kind in Britain and are based in Wimborne. They are also a founding member of The Ethical Tea Partnership. www.dorsetteas.co.uk
Dorset watercress
Dorset supplies approximately a quarter of the country’s watercress consumption; The Watercress Company has a number of farms in Dorset; the current owners are the 4th generation to run the business. www.thewatercresscompany.co.uk
