Seek out the flavours of childhood and discover some very original products …
Getting to know certain secrets of production and indulging yourself – whether recipes, addresses for gourmands that will awaken your taste buds – is not difficult in Vals de Saintonge.
Fine food shop
The Moutarderie Confiserie de Nouvelle-Aquitaine at Gourvillette produces a range of fine foods: mustards, oils, vinegars and even sweets made from locally sourced materials of quality. The mustard grains that are crushed under the millstone are carefully selected, the oils are a blend of local colza and sunflowers and the large range of local wines is the heart of the refined vinegars produced by this house.
Sweet tooth!
The Reine Friande sweetshop in Saint-Jean-d’Angély uses boiled sugar and honey to make 40 different sweets. Traditional procedures from quality products and natural aromas and colourings are explored during a visit to the sweetshop.
La Rosière, an institution with a presence in the heart of St-Jean-d’Angély for more than 100 years, is known for the quality of its products. The shop, pink inside and out; the aromas of home-roasted coffee and chocolate enticing. Discover sweets with exotic names: the famous “bois cassé” (as seen on TV), chocognac, negus, Charentais pearl, the crunchies, reeds of the marshes…
How to find these and many other products
La ruche qui dit Oui is a group of local producers that enable you to place your order by internet and then obtain it on the day and at the place shown. Dairy products, vegetables, pastry, meat, artisanal cakes – a large range of products to be had in the “hive” of St Jean. No obligation to purchase; free registration.
Saint-Jean-d’Angély tomatoes (a very tasty ancient variety) honey, grey pudding, fresh home-made yogurts, “farci Charentais”, “Galette à l’angélique” – such a choice in Vals de Saintonge.