Cuisine of Devon facts for kids
The cuisine of Devon in England is all about delicious food! Devon is a county known for its fresh ingredients, which have shaped its unique dishes. The food here has also been influenced by other British foods, and in turn, has influenced them too.
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Delicious Food from Devon
Devon is mostly a countryside area with good weather and rich soil. This means it has been a great place for growing food for hundreds of years. Farmers in Devon have always produced high-quality dairy products, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. Thanks to the railway network that grew in the 1800s, fresh food could be sent quickly to big cities.
This tradition continues today. Many food items from Devon, like excellent fish and crab caught in Brixham, are still very popular, especially in London.
Devon is also home to many great restaurants. Some famous chefs have even moved to Devon because they love the fresh, local ingredients. You can find many of these special food spots in places like Axminster and Ilfracombe in East Devon. Other towns like Totnes and Dartmouth in the South Hams are also known for their focus on local food. Historic towns such as Tavistock and Okehampton still hold their old seasonal markets, where you can find fresh produce.
In 2008, Devon was recognized as a Fairtrade County. This means it supports fair prices for farmers and workers. A local magazine called Devon Life often writes about the county's food and drinks.
Meat and Fish Dishes
The pasty is a popular baked pastry filled with meat and vegetables. It's enjoyed in Devon just as much as in Cornwall. The first known recipe for a pasty was found in Plymouth in 1510. There's a friendly rivalry between Devon and Cornwall over where the pasty truly comes from!
White pudding, also called "Hog's pudding" in Devon and Cornwall, is a tasty pork dish with lots of spices. A special version with oats is called "Groats pudding" and is found on Dartmoor. Both Dartmoor and Exmoor are famous for their wild, free-grazing beef and lamb. These come from special local breeds like Red Ruby Devon Cattle and Devon Closewool sheep.
Fish and chips are also very popular in Devon's many coastal fishing towns.
In Australia, the word "Devon" is used for a type of processed ham, but this meat is not known by that name in England.
Dairy Delights
Devon is famous for many dairy foods. The Devonshire cream tea is a classic! It includes scones (or Devonshire Splits), jam, and rich clotted cream. Many believe it started in Devon, though other nearby counties also claim it. In other countries like Australia, it's simply called a "Devonshire tea."
Ice cream made in Devon is known for its rich, creamy taste. Popular flavors include summer berries like blackberries. A local favorite is 'thunder and lightning,' made with sugar honeycomb and golden syrup. Ice cream is often served with extra Devon clotted cream, which changes texture when frozen.
Several delicious cheeses are made in Devon, such as Curworthy, Sharpham, and Vulscombe. Devon Blue and Beenleigh Blue cheeses are made on the Sharpham Estate. Devon Blue even won an award for the best English cheese in 2011!
The Ambrosia creamery, famous for its custard and creamed rice pudding, has been in the village of Lifton since 1917. Their well-known slogan is "Devon knows how they make it so creamy."
Junket is a historical dairy dessert. It was once known as a romantic food for couples. You might still find it on traditional menus sometimes.
Fudge, often made with Devon clotted cream, is a sweet treat found all over Devon.
Fruits and Vegetables
Potatoes became a big part of the diet in Devon after Sir Walter Raleigh of East Budleigh supposedly brought them to Europe.
Devon's old orchards grow many unique kinds of apples. The county shares a history of cider making with its neighbors. You can also find rare varieties of other fruits, like the Dittisham plum.
The Tamar Valley was once famous for growing early soft fruits like strawberries. These were sent to London by train. Today, a company called Riverford delivers organic produce from Devon all over the UK.
Drinks from Devon
Cider, often called 'Cyder' or 'Scrumpy', is the traditional drink of Devon. One of the most famous cider makers of the 20th century was Whiteways of Whimple, East Devon. They made many popular ciders and even non-alcoholic drinks like Cydrax. Whiteways once had the largest cider orchards in Britain. Today, there's a Whiteways museum in Whimple. Three Hammers is another strong cider made in Tiverton. Many cider makers still operate in Devon.
Devon has many beer breweries. Two well-known ones are Otter Brewery near Honiton and Dartmoor Brewery. Dartmoor Brewery, located in Princetown on Dartmoor, is the highest brewery in England! The Heavitree Brewery was a local brewer in Exeter that operated until 1970. Its name continues today as the owner of many pubs in the South West of England.
The Plymouth Gin Distillery has been making Plymouth Gin since 1793. This gin was shipped all over the world by the Royal Navy. In the 1930s, it was one of the most popular gins.
Devon also has several vineyards that produce white wines. The oldest is Yearlstone Vineyard, started in 1976 near Bickleigh. Other vineyards include Sharpham Vineyard near Totnes and Pebblebed Vineyard near Topsham. The monks of Buckfast Abbey still make Buckfast Tonic Wine.
Devon has a strong connection to old Westcountry alcoholic cordials like Lovage and Shrub. These traditional drinks are still made today by J R Phillips of Bristol.
