Kent Crisps promise a taste of the Garden of England

by kentnews.co.uk - 07/03/2011

"A new range of crisps was launched this week reflecting the diverse flavours and landscapes of Kent."

Cheese from Canterbury, cider from Biddenden, oysters from Whitstable and salt from the coastline are all ingredients in Kent Crisps which were launched at Quex Park Estate, Birchington.

They are now on sale at pubs, delicatessens and tourist attractions across the county.

The four flavours now on the market are oyster and vinegar, Ashmore cheese and onion, Biddenden cider vinegar and sea salt.

Quex Foods is behind the new crisps, which were the brainchild of the firm’s managing director, Anthony Curwen.

"Farming alone used to support an estate like Quex but now we know we have to diversify," he said.

"I came up with the idea of the crisps, I wanted to give people the chance to experience the tastes of Kent on a plate.

"Tourism and agriculture are synonymous within the county. People come here to admire the landscape and that is largely manmade as the countryside has been farmed for centuries."

Mr Curwen is a former chairman of the county branch of the National Farmers’ Union and so was keen to show off the produce of Kent.

The potatoes which form the crisps are grown in fields around the village and varities include Lady Rosetta, Lady Claire, Lady Jo and Hermes.

Flavourings come from Canterbury-based Ashmore Cheesemakers which produce a cheddar-style taste and texture. The cheese is muslin-wrapped and pressed for two days in traditional 19th century presses before it is unwrapped and placed on aged pine shelves to mature for at least five months.

Oyster powder is the savoury taste of another of the selection, the shellfish have had connections with Whitstable since Roman times.

The cider produced at Bidden Vineyards – Kent’s oldest – flavours another one of the snacks while sea salt, which gave its name to the medieval village of Seasalter is the last in the range.

Each pack contains information on the flavourings and their links with Kent – as a sort of edible tourist guide.

"Kent is the Garden of England and this is something we have tried to reflect," said Mr Curwen. "Other counties may have their own specialities, but we are the one which can produce almost everything.

"This is just the start as well. We want to expand our range and sell in different parts of the country, showing the rest of Britain the unique tastes of Kent."

Quex Foods Park Estate is the parent company of Quex Foods and the launch saw dignitaries from across the county sampling the range.

Chairman of Visit Kent Amanda Cottrell said: "They are delicious. It shows what a range of foods we have in the county. It really makes no sense to import food when we have such quality here.

"Kent Crisps, that is alliteration and that is poetry."

More Details: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/p_12/Article/a_11888/Kent_Crisps_promise_a_taste_of_the_Garden_of_England