So where do you think Claire, Foodie Quine, and I are posing? Are we on a cruise the Med or the Norwegian Fjords? Well, no actually, we are in the Kingdom of Fife in Scotland on a Chillies and Chocolate Food Trip with Welcome to Fife. More about where this sunny photo was taken in part two.
We started our chillies and chocolate tour of Fife in Ceres and travelled a few miles to visit Chillilicious, Scotland’s first chilli farm. I met with Patricia Galfskiy at the chilli farm where she and her daughter have developed this family run food and art venture cretaing homemade chilli food and gift items. The new visitor’s centre provided an opportunity to taste some of the Chilli chutney that Patricia makes, I tried them all, well it would be rude not to, and they were all very good. Most memorable for me was the Monkey Punch Chilli Chutney which contains banana, kiwi, lime and jalapeno chillies. I loved this combination of flavours really unusual.
Possibly my favourite thing in the Chillilicous shop was the Pimento Ginger Beer. I love ginger beer and this has the most amazing chilli kick, right at the back of your throat, a must for all chilli lovers.
We then moved on to the chilli tunnel where you can pick your own chillies or buy plants. Chillilicious grow approximately 4,000 chilli plants per ear and their speciality is the wide and varied range of rare and super-hot chillies, growing between 50-75 different varieties every year. Last year the talk of the chilli world was the Carolina Reaper and this year it’s all about the Chocolate Bhutlah, both of these chillies are grown at Chillilicious.
How hot is your chilli?
These are the chillies that I picked, unfortunately I can’t remember the name of them all. What I did learn is that the more crinkly the chilli, the hotter is going to be! I’m hoping to cook up some recipes with these chillies soon.
To match the chillies and chocolate theme of the trip, Sophie had made a tray of Chocolate Chilli Truffles for us to try and she cut them and coated with cocoa powder, the chilli heat was subtle although I have to say that Sophie kindly gave us some to take away and when I tried them again at home, I felt that there was more heat, it may have been that my palate had been blunted by too much chocolate and whisky!
Behind the chocolate boutique there is a quirky cafe, The Cocoa Tree Cafe. Here you can enjoy a relaxed lunch, coffee, afternoon tea or one of those gorgeous hot chocolate drinks. There is plenty of reading material in the cafe, some of it under the glass on the table tops, but also a range of chocolate themed books to read. The staff were delightful and it is clear that Sophie’s passion and high standards pervade the whole establishment. I would highly recommend a visit to the cafe and chocolate boutique.
More Chillies and Chocolate
Part Two – Langoustines, Gin and Chocolate Matching
Part Three – Courses for Cooks with Chis Seed and Coco Nib Crackers, Yard Bird and Chocolate Soufflé
Disclaimer: I was the guest of Welcome to Fife and I’d like to thank them and the host organisations who made this a truly memorable trip.
Corina says
I would love to try that pimento ginger beer too. I love the kick from ginger beer anyway so it must be really fiery with chillies in too!
Heidi Roberts says
Isn't it funny how chocolate and chilli go so well together!
Choclette Blogger says
Oh, oh, oh what a wonderful trip – two of my favourite things combined. And that cafe was my idea, I just haven't got around to getting it started yet 😉
The chilli ginger beer sounds fab too.
Janice Pattie says
I was thinking about you Choclette, as we tasted that beautiful chocolate, I knew you would love it.
Choclette Blogger says
I most surely would 🙂
Lucy Allen says
It sounds like a great trip! How interesting to,learn all about chillies. The chutney sounds delicious to me too! Look forward to,your next instalment.
Helen - family-friends-food says
What an amazing trip! Those chocolates sound incredible. Looking forward to reading part 2…
Claire Jessiman says
So lovely to finally meet you Janice and to get the chance to explore the foodie delights of Fife together.
Sylvia F. says
It looks like you had a lovely day ladies! I wish I could be there too 😉
Stuart Vettese says
What a fantastic adventure Janice, those truffles look well lush! Looking forward to part 2 x
Jill Colonna says
Love that you’ve shared this with us Janice. Hadn’t heard of the Chocolate Company and Chillilicious (see it has been winning many awards too) and so must try and get there on my next trip to Scotland – especially as my brother lives in Fife! Pimento Ginger beer and Monkey Punch Chilli Chutney sound great on the menu along with all that wonderful chocolate!
Janice Pattie says
Yes, you would love it Jill.
elsa green says
Tasted your delicious Ginger Beer on Christmas Day. Superb. Need more.
Janice Pattie says
Ha ha, yes it’s very moreish, glad you enjoyed it.