Where to Shop for Pantry Essentials in the North East
Now is the time to make sure your pantry is stocked up ahead of the Christmas rush
Baristocracy Coffee Roasters
Unit 2 Larch Court, West Chirton North Industrial Estate, North Shields NE29 8SG
baristocracycoffee.com
A small, award-winning family business run by Aussie-born Alex Forsyth (whose goal since opening in 2017 has been to bring excellent coffee to the North East), a visit to Baristocracy is a must for any local coffee fanatics. Ethically sourced, sustainably farmed and absolutely delicious, their coffee beans come in a great range of varieties which can be bought online, or directly from their roastery in North Shields, where they serve it by the cup and bag.
Chocolate Fayre
10 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle DL12 8LZ
01833 63107
chocolatefayre.co.uk
Selling delicious artisan chocolates for more than 40 years, husband and wife team Kenny Walker and Sarah Wall love what they do. Their boxed chocolates are constantly changing and their new seasonal range includes a poinsettia Christmas gift box, and a spectacular advent calendar. Visit the store or shop online.
The Travelling Bee Company
07884 422992
travellingbee.co.uk
Award-winning and family run, The Travelling Bee Company specialise in natural unprocessed honeys from bee colonies which are moved regularly around the North East to get the highest quality nectar and pollen. Browse their range of impressive honey online, covering everything from soft set to honeycomb sold whole and wild flower honey harvested from the landscapes of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.
Seabanks
bustonpotatoes.co.uk
The Northumberland farming family behind award-winning rapeseed oil and vinegar maker Seabanks have launched their own brand of crisps made using potatoes grown on their farm. The crisps are made in small batches and hand fried, and include flavours such as Worcester Sauce and Chardonnay Wine Vinegar. Shop the full range online.
Doddington Dairy
11 South Road, Wooler NE71 6QE
01668 283010
The Maxwell family farm (at the bottom of the Cheviot Hills), has been producing high-quality dairy for more than 50 years. As well as a core range of ice cream (think real strawberry and double ginger) and luxury ice cream such as salted caramel and Belgian chocolate, Doddington Dairy also make artisan yoghurts and award-winning cheese which can be purchased at stockists regionwide. A visit to their Milk Bar in Wooler is also a must.
Calder’s Kitchen
07908 762545
calderskitchen.co.uk
Inspired by their grandad’s family recipe for piccalilli, find handmade artisan piccalilli and chutney from this Darlington-based producer. The award-winning spicy tomato chutney goes great with meats and cheese, or for a spicy kick try Calder’s Sillylilli, made with crunchy vegetables and a hot madras curry base. Find the full range online or at stockists regionwide.
Pilgrims Coffee
Marygate, Holy Island of Lindisfarne TD15 2SJ
07421 317632
pilgrimscoffee.com
This family-run speciality coffee shop and roastery on Lindisfarne is on a mission to bring quality, carefully-sourced arabica coffee beans from around the world to the North East. The coffee house (which has been recently renovated) is where you can sample the delicious coffee, before purchasing a bag to take home. We recommend the Daily Bread blend which has tasting notes of dark chocolate, walnut and raisin. Buy online or at stockists around the region.
Gareth James Chocolatier
12 Front Street, Tynemouth NE30 4DX
0191 257 7799
garethjameschocolatier.co.uk
This small, independent chocolatier on Tynemouth’s Front Street has been making artisan chocolate for more than a decade. As well as selection boxes, slabs and brownies, the store also sells hot drinks (unsurprisingly their hot chocolate is to die for).
Hygge Hot Chocolate
hyggehotchocolate.com
Durham-based Hygge create deliciously comforting hot chocolate in dark, milk and white blends. The team spent three years perfecting their recipe before sharing it with customers so you can be sure of the quality from the first sip. Shop online or at stockists across the North East.
Durham Coffee
Sacriston Industrial Estate, Plawsworth Road, Sacriston DH7 6JX
0191 447 4552
durhamcoffee.co.uk
This father- and daughter-run speciality roasting company takes its beans seriously, sourcing them ethically from all over the globe with the aim of showcasing the diversity of flavour within the coffee industry. Visit the roastery in Durham (from Wednesday to Friday), and pick up a bag for yourself – we can’t get enough of St Cuthbert’s Journey, with notes of blackcurrant and honey.
Tyne Chease
01670 704993
tynechease.com
Based in North Shields, Tyne Chease was the UK’s first ever artisan nut-based vegan cheese. Inspired by traditional cheesemaking techniques, their cheese is aged to perfection and available in a distinctive range of flavours. If you’re looking for the perfect vegan gift, shop Tyne Chease’s hampers as well as their full range including pickles, chutneys and crackers on their website and at independent retailers across the region.
North Chocolates
07896 859445
northchocolates.co.uk
Specialising in seasonal, small batch gourmet chocolate bars, award-winning North Chocolates love to experiment when it comes to flavours. From milk chocolate with lemon and sea salt to peppermint crunch bars, there are even great vegan options too. Browse their range online or at stockists regionwide.
Fat Lass Preserves
fatlasspreserves.co.uk
Making artisan preserves with a twist, Fat Lass Preserves are probably best known for their delicious cocktail marmalades (including a breakfast martini orange marmalade). They also make a range of jams and chutneys like spicy Spanish pepper chutney and strawberry and lavender jam. Browse the full range online or find at independent stockists regionwide.
The Chocolate Smiths
0191 447 0790
thechocolatesmiths.com
Home of the Bizarre chocolate bar, The Chocolate Smiths began 10 years ago as a business running from a home kitchen. Fast forward to now and their range of weird and wonderful artisan chocolate bars have amassed a loyal following. Shop everything from caramel pecan crumble to coffee and stroopwaffel, and pistachio cannoli – they even have a special Geordie Bar with double chocolate and caramel.
The Mad Jam Woman
01665 711044
madjamwoman.com
Making her delicious produce since 1995, Sandy Hinson (AKA The Mad Jam Woman) has since taken gold for her marmalades at the World’s Original Marmalade Awards in Cumbria. Making everything from bramble conserve and pear and ginger jam to ruby grapefruit marmalade, her products can be found at independent retailers across Northumberland and online.
Love Leaf Tea
07930 924942
loveleaftea.com
After discovering her love of loose leaf tea in Hong Kong, owner Melanie wanted to bring what she had discovered to the North East and set up Love Leaf Tea. The range the business offers is impressive, including matcha blends, fruit infusions and blooming flower teas. Our favourite is the spiced chai blend – perfect for the winter months.
Northumberland Cheese Company
Green Lane, Blagdon NE13 6BZ
01670 789798
northumberlandcheese.co.uk
Making delicious farmhouse cheese in the heart of Northumberland since 1984, the Northumberland Cheese Company produce a full range of artisan cheese from a selection of different milks (such as oak-smoked, nettle and Redesdale goats’ cheese). You’ll find crackers, chutney and gift hampers in store and online.
Spurreli
The Old Chandlery, Coquet Street, Amble NE65 0DJ
01665 710890
spurreli.com
Producing award-winning artisan ice cream and sorbet using locally-sourced milk, this ice cream parlour is a firm favourite on the Northumberland coast. This award-winning business takes flavour seriously and is constantly innovating and enhancing what they offer, and don’t miss their new dog-friendly ice cream.
