FOOD + DRINK
Sweets
FOR MY SWEET
A COUNTY RENOWNED FOR ITS ACRES OF ARABLE LAND , HISTORIC WINDMILLS AND BOUNTY OF FRESH , LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE , IT ’ S NO WONDER THAT KENT HAS A RICH HISTORY OF BAKING . A METHOD OF FOOD PREPARATION THAT USES DRY HEAT - TYPICALLY IN AN OVEN , BUT ALSO USING HOT ASHES OR STONES - WHEN MOST BRITS THINK OF BAKING , WE REMEMBER DECORATING SUGAR COOKIES IN THE KITCHEN OR OUR GRANDMA ’ S SECRET SPONGE CAKE RECIPE . KENT , HOWEVER , HAS CLEARLY MOVED WITH THE TIMES .
Kent itself can be accredited with some of the most quintessential treats we know and love , from gypsy tarts to the humble sandwich - though don ’ t ask us if a hotdog is a sandwich , because no actually , it ’ s not . Gypsy tarts however are an irrefutable Kentish delicacy made from evaporated milk , muscovado sugar and pastry . Often served at the school dinner table , the flan-based pastries can be - as the story goes - traced back to a farmer ’ s wife on the Isle of Sheppey who used whatever ingredients she had on hand to feed some hungry gypsy children .
Baked into the history of Kent is also our love for an indulgent afternoon tea , a practice that can be traced back to 19th-century England . As a means for the upper class to stave off afternoon hunger , afternoon tea began during a time when most ate only two main meals a day . A light spread of tea , sandwiches , scones and cakes generally eaten during the late afternoon , Brits will find afternoon tea on menus all over the country to this day . From grand platters at stately manor houses to threetier stands at their local independent cafes , afternoon teas have certainly stayed in our collective sweet tooth for a reason .
When enjoying our beloved Kentish treats , we can ’ t forget the origins of the produce that make them just so delectable , from farm-fresh strawberry jam to clotted cream from pasture-raised Kentish cows . In fact , King Henry VIII was said to have named Kent ‘ The Garden of England ’ during his reign , though it was our Neolithic ancestors who established Kent ’ s fruit-growing prowess over 4,000 years ago . With one of the warmest climates in England , Kent now grows 90 % of the country ’ s cherries and 50 % of its plums , both delicious additions to our favourite baked treats .
Beyond berries and stone fruits , Kent is known for its apple orchards , which rose in popularity during the Tudor period . By the 18th century , our county ’ s apple farmers were transporting their produce to London and beyond , broadening the fruit market thanks to the development of Britain ’ s railways . In the last 20 years , small-scale cidermakers have caught on to the growing appetite for Kent-made drinks using dessert apple varieties such as Cox , Russet and Bramley to bring the county ’ s produce to life beyond simple homemade apple pies . Never ones to skip dessert , Kent ’ s residents make great use of the endless choices on our doorstep .
With the recent resurgence of small businesses and artisanal creators thanks to the accessibility of online platforms , a rejection of mass production and the desire to shop local , Kent continues to welcome new and exciting bakeries to its streets . From family-run favourites to hidden gems , here are some of insideKENT ’ s favourite spots to enjoy some delicious sweet treats this month .
MOST PICTURESQUE … White Finch Bakery , Meopham whitefinch . org
A highly Instagrammable spot to unwind with a hot drink and sweet treat of your choice , White Finch Bakery is a charming place nestled within Broomfield Fruit Farm in Meopham . At White Finch , homemade cakes and pastries are prepared in-house daily using fresh , local ingredients . Open Friday to Sunday , 9am-3pm , guests can take a wander past the nearby apple orchards before being welcomed inside the tea room overlooking Broomfield farm . With outdoor seating to enjoy in sunny weather and a large indoor log burner to keep warm on the cooler days , White Finch Bakery is a lovely place to spend an afternoon .
With a quintessentially Kentish menu , White Finch offers a vast selection of sweet and savoury treats to eat in or take away . Their salted caramel cookies , banana loaf and sausage rolls come highly acclaimed , with great coffee that makes the perfect companion to each slice . Serving refreshing apple and pear juice as well as standout dishes like maple pecan granola with Greek yoghurt and Kentish honey , the bakery combines friendly service with picturesque farmland views .
MOST AWARD-WINNING … Bradbourne Bakery , Sevenoaks bradbournebakery . com
A microbakery delivering handmade bread to the people of Sevenoaks , Bradbourne Bakery is a one-woman , one-oven and one-bike business run by Annabel Carter , who delivers thousands of award-winning loaves across her corner of Kent . Named the best in the UK at the 2023 National Bakery Awards , Bradbourne Bakery runs an emissions-free delivery service thanks to Annabel ’ s electric cargo bike .
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