FOOD + DRINK
THIS AUTUMN IS THE PERFECT TIME TO EXPLORE ALL THAT KENT ’ S FARMLAND HAS TO OFFER . FROM ITS RICH HISTORY OF WINEMAKING TO ITS EVER-GROWING HOP-HARVESTING SCENE , THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND PROVIDES SOME OF THE FRESHEST PRODUCE AROUND FOR US TO ENJOY .
BIDDENDEN VINEYARDS
Harvest is a vital event in the British farming calendar , being the time of year when ripened crops are collected from the fields . The word ‘ harvest ’ originates from the Old English word ‘ hærfest ’ meaning ‘ autumn ’ since farmers traditionally harvested their crops from the end of August to early September . A successful harvest meant that communities would stay fed throughout the winter months and quite literally made the difference between life and death for many . If there had been droughts or disease on the land , entire food supplies could potentially be wiped out , so a successful harvest was something to be celebrated .
Historically , the annual harvest was celebrated with wagon processions of crops from the field , music , dancing , games and a harvest supper . With grand meals of vegetables , meats , desserts and alcohol , it was a celebration for all . In the UK , the harvest festival is traditionally celebrated on the Sunday closest to the full moon of the autumn equinox , which marks the official beginning of the autumn season ; this year , the harvest festival falls on October 1 .
Aptly named The Garden of England , Kent has an impressively rich harvest-time history since the county ’ s 1,442 square miles of fertile land is excellent for growing produce . With a temperate climate and well-draining sandy clay-loam soil , it is no wonder that the county is renowned for its crop supply . At this time of year , Kent ’ s farmers are busy on the farmland and in fruit-filled orchards gathering their autumnal harvests . Summer vegetables like squash and runner beans are being picked alongside root vegetables and the classic Bramley apples that Kent is known for . As this fresh , high-quality produce hits the supermarkets and local shops , there is no better time than now to explore what seasonal produce is on offer .
Just as bountiful is beer . We all know that Brits love beer , and a pint at the pub is one of the quintessential parts of our culture . As we soak up the rest of this season ’ s sun and look for refreshments to cool us down , beer is one that many of us continue to reach for . In fact , 8.5 billion pints were sold across the UK in 2023 , many of which came from Kent ’ s own farmland . The popular alcoholic drink is made from a combination of water , malt , yeast and hops , and there are 34 varieties of commercially grown British aroma hop in the UK with aromatic notes of citrus , grapefruit , blackcurrant and pepper . Fascinatingly , the very first English hop garden was established in Westbere near Canterbury in 1520 after Dutch and Flemish merchants traded hop plant seeds with locals . Quickly , East Kent ’ s brickearth and the High Weald ’ s clay and sand grew the plant on an incredible scale .
By the middle of the 17th century , Kent was producing around a third of the crop ’ s nationwide supply and beer production quickly surpassed that of local consumption since local brewers supplied the navy at Chatham and Deal . Hop growers worked on their hops all throughout the year , from stringing their bines in the springtime to surveying them until the September harvest , after which farmers would prepare the land for the next year ’ s crop . The 19th century was a golden age of hop production in the UK , with 77,000 acres of Kentish land cultivated for hops in 1878 . Out of all exports at that time , beer contributed a third of their overall value .
Over the last 500 years of hop production , much has changed in the county - from farming traditions to the physical landscape - yet Kent remains renowned for its highquality hops . To this day , there are just under 3,000 acres of Kentish land dedicated to growing hops and approximately 20 producers across the county .
With the industry ’ s evolution and large commercial breweries now commanding the hop-harvesting scene , new opportunities have arisen for small-scale hop growers thanks to the growth of the craft beer movement . Due to the rising demand for unique varieties and locally-sourced hops , small-scale growers can now partner with larger breweries , blending traditional brewing methods with quality and taste expertise . For anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the Kentish beer industry , here are some activities that insideKENT recommends .
Brew Day Experience , Tenterden www . hukins-hops . co . uk
For a one-to-one brewing lesson in the Weald of Kent , head to this modern hop farm in the
countryside . Hukins Hops is a 120-year-old BROADDITCH FARM SHOP
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