Long-term sustainability is not only our legacy, it is a part of our DNA. At Halls, when looking at the future increased demand for avocados, sustainability is at the top of our agenda. In terms of our general supply process, fruit is received from our own and grower partner farms and packed for export at […]
Category: Insight
Chef’s Guide to Oca Tubers
Oca tubers are the potato-like tuberous vegetables of the oca plant (oxalis tuberosa). They’re a small vegetable that comes in a variety of colours: red, yellow, orange, purple, pink and even ‘apricot’. They have a chubby finger-like shape with a very recognisable bobbly skin. These tubers are known throughout the world by a variety of […]
Chef’s Guide to Calcots
What are calçots? Calcots (or calçots to give them their true Catalonian spelling) are a type of scallion in the onion family. As a result, in the UK they’re commonly known as calcot onions. They’re a close relative of the spring onion (said to be a cross between the spring onion and the leek) and […]
What is Fenland Celery?
Fenland celery is a white winter celery that has become the gold standard of all celery varieties. Grown right here in the UK within the Fens — a coastal plain in eastern England — it’s a crop with a strong heritage that dates back to Victorian times. During that time, it was cultivated in the […]
What is a Sudachi Lime?
The sudachi (commonly referred to in the UK as the sudachi lime) is a citrus fruit that originates from Japan. It’s a natural genetic mutation the yuzu. It was first cultivated in the Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island and is still cultivated there today. Cultivation has spread further afield since, with a notable level of […]
A Chef’s List of Unusual Citrus Fruits
Autumn through to the end of winter is when our warehouse welcomes a wide selection of one type of fresh produce: the citrus fruits. Our list includes your everyday lemons and limes but it’s the quirkier varieties that get us excited. Sourced from all over the world — from the USA through to Japan — […]
When is Jersey Royals Season?
The humble potato has been a staple vegetable around the world for many years. In fact, its origins can be traced back to southern Peru between 8000 and 5000 BC! After the Spanish took over they brought the crop back to Europe, and from there it spread worldwide — including onto the shores of a […]
How to Store Eggs: Refrigerated or Ambient?
In the food world there are several age-old debates surrounding ingredients, dishes and the world of catering, such as: Should pineapple ever be on a pizza? Is a fillet steak best served rare or medium rare? Is the gluten-free trend a fad or here to stay? And is it jam first or cream first?! But […]
12 of the Most Expensive Ingredients a Chef Can Buy
There are hundreds of ingredients that a chef might deem expensive. But there are a select few that go above and beyond this accolade and are among the most expensive in the world. Some carry a high price tag as they’re heavily labour-intense. Some are scarce enough to push the price up. Some simply have […]
Our Guide to Fiddleheads: What are Fiddlehead Ferns?
Fiddlehead ferns. Blink and you’ll miss them, as once the ferns unfurl their green fronds it’s game over I’m afraid. Capture that moment when the coiled green fern tops are still tightly wound like a shepherds crook and you’ve got yourself a culinary delight. What are Fiddlehead Ferns? Fiddlehead ferns (or fiddleheads) are the emerging […]