7 Specialty Foods of Yorkshire, England

A change of angle for us and our first Guest post by UK Food PR specialists, Sauce Communications

Yorkshire, the largest county in the UK, is centred around the city of York, which is world-renowned for its food culture. With York’s plentiful cafes, food festivals, and growing reputation for superior locally-grown foods, it is a paradise for “foodies.”

When mentioning the rich specialty foods of Yorkshire, for most people, the first thing that comes to mind is Yorkshire pudding. But after spending any length of time in Yorkshire, you will soon find out that Yorkshire pudding is just a starting point for a variety of delicious local food choices.

Below we will explore some of the specialty foods of Yorkshire, starting with the famous Yorkshire pudding.

1) Yorkshire Pudding

Yorkshire Pudding

(Image Credit: Sporkist)

Made of a savoury batter of flour, eggs and milk, this dish originated in North-East England. Historically, the batter was kept underneath meat roasting on a spit, allowing meat and oil drippings to add flavour to the batter. When dinner was served, if there was not enough meat to accommodate the number of diners, then children would instead be served this batter which came to be known as Yorkshire pudding. Today, this batter is made and served as a side dish for meat and vegetables, comprising a traditional Sunday dinner.

2) Wensleydale Cheese

Wensleydale Cheese

(Image Credit: Parl)

The town of Wensleydale in Yorkshire is known for their famous, unique-tasting cheese.  There are five different main types of Wensleydale– mild, matured, extra matured, blue or cold-smoked—although other varieties exist.  Because of its hint of honey flavor and acidity, Wensleydale cheese is best paired with sweeter fare such as fruit.

3) Rhubarb

Rhubarb

(Image Credit: Kthread)

Yorkshire is so well-known for rhubarb production that a nine-square-mile area of the county is known as Rhubarb Triangle. The rhubarb plant’s stems are boiled in sugar and used for everything from jams to pies to compotes.  A food, drink and rhubarb festival occurs every year in Wakefield.

4) Ginger Beer

Ginger Beer

(Image Credit: ChatiryGirl)

First made in the mid 1700s as an alcoholic drink, ginger beer is similar to ginger ale but infused with a more spicy ginger taste. Currently most ginger beer beverages are non-alcoholic so that anyone can enjoy them.

5) Liquorice

Liquorice

(Image Credit: Hddod)

Once used only for medicinal purposes, liquorice is now sweetened and recognised as confectionery (often known as ‘licorice’).  A celebration of Pontefract, the person responsible for sweetening liquorice, is held at the annual Pontefract Liquorice Festival.

6) Pikelets

Pikelets

(Image Credit: Cleopatra)

Some people refer to pikelets as “flat crumpets” or “think pancakes.”  These fluffy breads have a similar taste and texture as crumpets, but with many regional variations.

7) Parkin

Yorkshire Parkin

(Image Credit: Gin Soak)

Another item that uses ginger is parkin, a cake of butter, honey, flour, oats, treacle and ginger. Traditionally, this cake is made to be served around Guy Fawkes Night.

If you are looking for new culinary adventures, why not try some specialty cuisine from Yorkshire?

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