Cuisine of Dorset

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Cuisine of Dorset

The cuisine of Dorset reflects the rich agricultural heritage and coastal bounty of the county of Dorset in South West England. Known for its traditional dishes and local produce, Dorset's culinary offerings are a testament to its rural and maritime culture.

Traditional Dishes

Dorset is renowned for several traditional dishes that highlight the region's local ingredients:

• Dorset Apple Cake: A classic dessert made with local apples, often served with clotted cream.
• Dorset Knobs: Hard, dry biscuits that are typically eaten with cheese.
• Blue Vinny Cheese: A traditional blue cheese made from skimmed milk, known for its strong flavor.
• Portland Lamb: Lamb from the Isle of Portland, known for its unique flavor due to the island's flora.
• Dorset Jugged Steak: A hearty dish where beef is slow-cooked with port wine and spices.

Local Produce

Dorset's cuisine is heavily influenced by its local produce, which includes:

• Dorset Cereals: A brand of breakfast cereals made from locally sourced grains.
• Dorset Naga: One of the hottest chili peppers in the world, grown in the county.
• Purbeck Ice Cream: Ice cream made from local dairy farms in the Isle of Purbeck.

Seafood

Given its coastal location, Dorset has a rich tradition of seafood cuisine:

• Chesil Beach Mackerel: Freshly caught mackerel from the famous Chesil Beach.
• Poole Harbour Oysters: Oysters harvested from the waters of Poole Harbour.
• Weymouth Scallops: Scallops from the waters around Weymouth, known for their sweet flavor.

Beverages

Dorset also boasts a variety of local beverages:

• Dorset Cider: Traditional cider made from local apples.
• Palmers Brewery: One of the oldest breweries in the county, producing a range of ales and beers.
• Conker Spirit: A local distillery known for its gin and other spirits.

Related Pages

• Dorset
• South West England
• British cuisine
• Traditional English dishes
• Local food