20/11/06
Heavenly ice cream was missing an orange variety. And so nearby
Aberglasney Gardens has stepped in to provide home grown oranges
to the Llandeilo based bespoke ice cream maker. It's thought to
be the first time that Welsh oranges have been used in ice cream!
The oranges are grown from trees located
in the cloister garden.
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The ten kilos of oranges represent the entire crop produced at
Aberglasney this year and were prepared for ice cream almost as
soon as they were picked from the tree. Delighted customers have
been enjoying the tart flavour created by using plenty of zest
in the Aberglasney Orange Ice Cream.
Delighted
Aberglasney Gardens Director Graham Rankin says he's delighted
to have been able to help out. The latest success follows on from
the lavender ice cream, using lavender he grew specifically for
the Heavenly produce.
"I'm thrilled that Heavenly are using our oranges", he
says. "These oranges are grown from trees located in the
cloister garden. The trees are moved under cover once the first
frosts set in.
"People don't expect to see oranges in a garden of this type,
but it's a development of a tradition that may date back to the
late sixteenth century when oranges were first introduced to Wales.
They are authentic.
"It is thought that oranges were first grown in Wales in 1594
at St Donats, Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. Bishop Rudd who
built the unusual garden structures at Aberglasney in 1600 could
have adorned the Cloister Garden with such exotic fruits.
"We have ten trees which fruit very well and I can already
see that there will be an excellent crop again next year. The oranges
grown at Aberglasney are both sweet and bitter varieties and make
a wonderful conversation piece with our admiring visitors".
Local Produce
Heavenly owners Paul and Tracey Kindred are thrilled with the Aberglasney
oranges. They are committed to using local produce and despite
exotic names such as Sicilian Pistachio, Mississippi Mud Pie, and
Mediterranean Lemon most of the ingredients in the ice cream are
locally produced.
"We use Welsh organic milk and lots of locally grown fruit",
says Tracey. "It's part of our business ethos that we have
always wanted to source local produce.
"We've been in business here in Llandeilo for fourteen years
and have always been supported by local businesses and local people.
It's about food miles, employment in the local community….
"Everything about buying locally is a bonus and we're delighted
that Aberglasney has been able to produce these excellent oranges
for us".
Tracey added that Aberglasney orange, nutmeg, and cranberry ice
cream would be one of a new range of ten Christmas ice creams.
Aberglasney lavender ice cream is also part of the Heavenly range,
as is Aberglasney lavender and apple jelly.
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