Bean Smitten Director, Darren Tickner with the award winning blends
Great Taste, the world’s most coveted food awards, which celebrates the very best in food and drink, has announced the Great Taste stars of 2018. Out of over 12,600 products to be judged, Bean Smitten was awarded two 2-star Great Taste awards, which means judges dubbed them above and beyond delicious for its Classic and Revive blends.
Bean Smitten is delighted with the exclusively positive feedback from the judging panel. The Classic Blend was praised for its “perfect crema” and the judges noted that “the key to this coffee is its balance, measured acidity with a smooth chocolate finish”. The judges enjoyed the “rich fruitiness” of the Revive Blend combined with “a smooth caramel caress”. They concluded that the Revive Blend was “a lovely coffee with a lasting finish”.
Judged by over 500 of the most demanding palates, belonging to food critics, chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and producers, as well as a whole host of food writers and journalists, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers. As well as a badge of honour, the unmistakable black and gold Great Taste label is a signpost to a wonderful tasting product, which has been discovered through hours and hours of blind-tasting by hundreds of judges.
Darren Tickner, owner of Bean Smitten and head roaster explains: This was the first year that we entered the Great Taste awards and we are thrilled that both the coffees that we submitted for judging were deemed to be worthy of two-star ratings. We are pleased that the feedback from the judges reflects our straightforward approach to excellent coffee.
Break out the bunting - we've won!
Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste values taste above all else, with no regard for branding and packaging. Whether it is vinegar, granola, bacon or cheese being judged, all products are removed from their wrapper, jar, box or bottle before being tasted. The judges then savour, confer and re-taste to decide which products are worthy of a 1-, 2- or 3-star award.
There were 12,634 entries into Great Taste this year and of those products, 192 have been awarded a 3-star, 1,207 received a 2-star and 3,254 were awarded a 1-star accolade. The panel of judges this year included; MasterChef 2018 champion, Kenny Tutt, chef and food writer, Elly Curshen, eco chef and food writer, Tom Hunt, author and chef, Zoe Adjonyoh, baker Tom Herbert, author and blogger, Izy Hossack, and baker and recipe writer, Martha Collison, as well as food buyers from Harrods, Selfridges and Sourced Market. These esteemed palates have together tasted and re-judged the 3-star winners to finally agree on the Golden Fork Trophy winners and the Great Taste 2018 Supreme Champion.
For more information: Darren Tickner – 01892 281060
Great Taste Press Enquiries: Amy Brice at Freshly Ground PR; email amy@freshlygroundpr.co.uk or call
+44 (0) 7717 893123.