One year on from its launch Harrogate master confectioner, the Serious Sweet Company, is championing local produce with the addition of three new Yorkshire-inspired products to its Ultimate English range of luxury sweets.
Ultimate English has launched a trio of new products, crowned by its Rhubarb Coconut Ice and set to be launched at Wakefield’s annual festival of food, drink and rhubarb this weekend which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
Using rhubarb grown in the heart of the rhubarb triangle itself by celebrated farmer D Westwood & Sons, the flavour of the coconut ice is authentic with a nostalgic nod towards the childhood-cherished rhubarb crumble. David Westwood’s great-great-grandfather and great-great-uncle were some of the first forced rhubarb growers in the mid-1800s, with its rhubarb now stocked in Morrisons, Booths and Waitrose as well as local independent grocers.
Joining the rhubarb coconut ice will be another Yorkshire flavour favourite in the form of ginger fudge. The new edition takes its sweet and spicy inspiration from the well-known and loved Yorkshire parkin, a treat enjoyed by the county on bonfire night which can now be enjoyed all year round. Sea Salt Caramel Fudge rounds off the trio with its salty and sweet combination, inspired by range’s existing award-winning Salt Water Chocolate Truffle Fudge.
Launched less than a year ago, Ultimate English is now stocked in over 300 independent retailers across Yorkshire. It was the focus of a national #FindOurFudge campaign last November after £65,000 worth of stock was stolen from the Harrogate factory, but is now back stronger than ever and ready to showcase its new additions at upcoming shows, festivals and markets.
Managing Director of The Serious Sweet Company, Rob Whitehead, said: “We make it our mission to come up with new and exciting products, flavours and taste combinations so the introduction of the Rhubarb Coconut Ice is a perfect fit with the Wakefield Food, Drink and Rhubarb Festival.
“What better way to celebrate Yorkshire’s heritage than to work with D Westwood & Sons on a twist using this classic Wakefield produce. As we say in Yorkshire, this product’s a reet good’un and we look forward to introducing it to our fans over the coming weeks!”
Owner of D Westwood & Sons, Jonathan Westwood, said: “Rhubarb growing has been in our family for generations and what the annual Wakefield festival of food, drink and rhubarb is a key event in our yearly calendar. When the opportunity arose to work with Ultimate English on the new rhubarb coconut ice, we were delighted. It’s brilliant to see local Yorkshire businesses taking this classic product and creating something completely new with it. This is a great example of how versatile rhubarb is and a brilliant way to celebrate the festival.”
Ultimate English is the first, consumer-facing product from The Serious Sweet Company and has gone from strength to strength since its launch in early 2014 at the ISM in Cologne, resulting in appearances at BBC Good Food Shows and The Great Yorkshire Show amongst many other events.
The Ultimate English range includes a selection of gifting and sharing boxes including; Madagascan vanilla clotted cream fudge, Salt water chocolate truffle fudge, Honeycomb nuggets, Sicilian lemon coconut ice and Classic all butter fudge.