I love trying new ingredients, so I was delighted when I was sent a few samples from Opies to try.

Opies is a family-run business started in 1880. They are producing foods in the same location in Kent since 1929. Their range is very interesting and most of their products can be found in local supermarkets.

Opies Fujan Christmas Fruits with Courvoisier. The fruits are amazing. It’s a mixture of Figs, Apricots, Dates, Cranberries, Raisins and Sultanas. Other ingredients are sugar, water, citric acid and, obviously Courvoisier. I think this is perfect for Christmas, it’s lush and the flavour is amazing. Every single dried fruit has kept its flavour. I loved it. This is available at Waitrose and I might add it to the Christmas shopping list. I love boozy chocolates, but it’s the first time I try boozy fruits. I think they are delicious, with a little bit of unsweetened whipped cream on top, it’s the perfect dessert.

Pickled walnuts. The pickled walnuts are traditionally English, as they are mentioned in cookbooks from the 18th century. I used them before in a recipe I’ve shared on my blog last year: Roasted romanesco with herby mash, cheese, onions and pickled walnuts. I like the pickled walnuts, they are so versatile and they can be added to an array of recipes.
The walnuts can be found in most supermarkets. I will definitely buy them again, as I really like the taste and I bought them before.

Stem ginger in syrup. The ginger is harvested in South China and it is preserved in sugar. It has only 3 ingredients: ginger, sugar and water. I tasted it and it’s lovely. I can’t wait to use it in desserts and savoury dishes as well. I’ve been to a Chinese supermarket recently and now I have plenty of produce to prepare oriental meals. I will also try some ginger biscuits, they must be delicious.
The Stem ginger can be found at supermarkets like Asda, Tesco and Co-op. I would buy them again, as I like ginger.

Did you try Opies products before? Which one is your favourite?

*PR samples