06/09/2014
IT’S party time today (Saturday 6th September) at the Armagh Bramley Apple Festival in the Shambles Market Yard, Armagh. Running from 10am until 6pm, this free-to-attend event promises a fun-packed day for all the family, so shake a leg and get on down here quick!
The Festival is a celebration of all things Armagh Bramley Apple, which, as those of us from Armagh already know, is the BEST bramley in the world. If you don’t believe us, come along and find out why Armagh Bramleys are so special that the European Union has awarded them PGI status. In a nutshell, that means Armagh Bramley Apples have unique and special qualities that distinguishes them from all others and no bramley can claim to be an Armagh Bramley unless it was grown in the PGI region.
We have two other PGI products in Northern Ireland – Comber Early Potatoes and Lough Neagh Eels – and, for the first time ever, all three of these protected name products will be together in public at the Armagh Bramley Apple Festival.
But what else is in store? Well, lots of course! We have two Flogas kitchens in operation where chefs will be demonstrating some wonderful sweet and savoury dishes throughout the day, all featuring Armagh Bramleys of course! But you can try some of them out yourself at home if you come along and pick up a copy of the new Armagh Bramley Cook Book, which makes its public debut today.
In Cider Makers Row you can sample and buy from a selection of locally produced ciders and juices, as well as liqueurs from Ruby Blue and, believe it or not, even a taste of Moonshine! The guys from Viva Bar & Bistro in Armagh will be shaking and stirring their stuff as they rustle up a few intriguing Armagh Bramley Apple themed cocktails and mocktails, while Bluegrass band Cup O’Joes will be ‘live on stage’ as they say!
The Artisan Food Market is an absolute treat for good food lovers – and don’t just take our word for it, as the judges in this year’s Great Taste Awards this so too, as we have many gold start winning products in Armagh today, not least being Greenmount Farm Shop’s 3-star winning Game Pie. This you can try and buy, along with freshly cooked ‘street’ food, from juicy burgers and pulled pork sandwiches to just-baked Armagh Bramley Apple turnovers, Italian ice cream and local strawberries dripping with melted Belgian chocolate!
Amongst the artisan producers you will find the most amazing flavoured butters, oils and dressings, continental breads and patisseries, jams, preserves, relishes and chutneys, delicious fruit infused balsamic vinegars, divinely decadent soft butter fudges, donuts like you’ve never had before, apple crumble cupcakes, buns and traybakes, honey, handmade chocolates, refreshing minerals… the list could go on,but you really need to come taste this for yourself and make sure you bring a big shopping bag!
You should also bring your own freshly baked Armagh Bramley Apple Tart along and enter it into the Neill’s Flour Best Armagh Bramley Apple Tart competition, which will be judged at 4.30. The winner will be staggering home with one of two amazing hampers of Armagh Bramley Apple themed hampers up for grabs.
