Scottish Seaweed Delights

As many of you foodies out there may well know, there are a number of food trade shows that take place throughout the year. Back in September I attended the Speciality Food Show, where I went in search of interesting food producers I could make contact with and write up about here in my blog. One such producer who impressed me with their wares was Stag Bakeries.

Stag bakeries are based in most remote yet stunningly beautiful wilds of Scotland in the Outer Hebrides Island of Stornoway. Incorporating sea salt and three types of seaweed harvested from sea lochs around the coastline, Stag bakeries bring us a delightful range of high quality artisan small batch baked oatcakes, water biscuits and shortbread.

Cheese plate featuring Stag seaweed water biscuits

I left the trade show with three boxes from the bakeries seaweed collection in the form of water biscuits, oatcakes and shortbread for sampling. My favourite crackers which I often enjoy with cheese or as a quick snack completely naked are oatcakes, so I was keen to try out this intriguing seaweed variety. They did not disappoint, slightly rough in texture, which I like in an oatcake, they had all the oaty goodness one would expect but with the added hues of something special and unusual. The water biscuits were thicker than other brands I have tried previously and a little denser which is quite handy as they hold together better for cheese spreading! I thought the flavour of the seaweed was more apparent in water biscuits compared to the oatcakes, which I enjoyed immensely.  Now onto the sweet, I’m not a massive fan of shortbread and often find the butteriness and density of shortbread too much for my own palate. However, Stag’s shortbread was absolutely heavenly! The texture was light and crisp, and the flavour salty sweet with hints of seaweed. I could have munched through the whole pack in one sitting very easily! So of the three samples I had, the one I was expecting to enjoy the least ended up being my favourite.

I will certainly be ordering more of these  for my cupboard, and I will be purchasing some for my dad who I know will just love them. They are suitable for vegetarians, but do contain gluten, sorry celiacs. If you would like to know more about Stag bakeries and try some of their delicious wares for yourself their website can be found at: stagbakeries.co.uk