In the recent Food Reader Awards, the Food Blogger category was sponsored by Rodda’s Clotted Cream and I was secretly a little thrilled to receive an invite to tour their creamery in Redruth.
For anyone not in the know, Clotted Cream is the most divine cream in the world.
Each little tub is gently baked until a delicious, caramelised yellow crust forms on the top. And the cream underneath becomes thick and silky and just perfect dolloped on top of a scone.
Having had a good root round the recipe section on Rodda’s website I discover there are a bazillion different way to use it in cooking too.
Mashed potatoes made with clotted cream anyone?
Eliza Rodda first set up her clotted cream enterprise way back in 1890. And her Great Great Grandson’s still run it to this day.
I imagine things were done a little differently back then, with testing being done by eye and taste whereas today every single step of the process is monitored to ensure an exceptional product every single time.
I wonder how Eliza would have felt knowing that her little cottage industry has grown into Cornwall’s largest dairy!
For each litre of milk Rodda’s buy in from their 151 farmers, only 4% of it is cream, leaving a whopping 96% skimmed milk as a ‘waste’ product.
In years gone by, Rodda’s would feed this waste to their turkeys which they reared and sold onsite.
But nowadays (as I’m guessing there is so much of it) it is sold on to other food producers.
One of the things I was most surprised about walking through the various departments at Rodda’s, was the age of the employee’s.
I imagined a young, inexperienced work force with a high turnover but this is far from the case with three generations of some families having worked on site, and a waiting list for each new position that comes up!
With 120 full time staff on site year round, and many more temporary staff brought in during the busy seasons of summer & Christmas this makes Rodda’s an important employer.
Especially in economically challenged West Cornwall.
A big thanks to Rodda’s for supporting us starving (ha!) food bloggers in the Food Reader Awards, and giving me such a fascinating tour.
I can’t let the irony (and downright unfairness) pass of inviting a food blogger with an intolerance to dairy into the heart of the best cream in the world. Sigh.
All I can say is it smelt really, really good :)
I’m off to make Jonny a batch of Clotted Cream Fudge with the contents of my goody bag.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Oh wow. Those scones look incredible. I was looking for something for my treat meal this weekend and it might have to be those!
Jane Sarchet says
Enjoy Dannii! :)
Janie x
Karen says
What a FAB visit! My friend in France, Tamzin Menadue, her brother sends his milk to Roddas for butter and cream!
Jane Sarchet says
It sure was Karen :)
Janie x
Choclette says
Oh the irony! Bet it was interesting though.
Jane Sarchet says
It was FAB! :)
Janie x
Jacqueline says
Clotted cream is so lush and I love this brand. Such gorgeous pots too. How could you resist?
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Looks really lush. And I really like their packaging too.
Jane Sarchet says
Pretty isn’t it Bintu, and quite an iconic Cornish brand :)
Janie x
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
Creamy nad super delicious perfect with jam and scones.
Jane Sarchet says
Indeed!
Janie x
Tina Anand says
I need to get hold of some Rodda Cornish cream looks tasty. I am liking the sound of your fudge.
Jane Sarchet says
SOOO naughty, but equally as nice Tina :)
Janie x
Tammy/Our Neck of the Woods says
You know, I’ve never had clotted cream before! But your post has me wanting to try it out. Sounds really delicious! Especially on top of a scone :)
Jane Sarchet says
Oh Tammy, you’d LOVE it! A real decadent treat. Unfortunately there is an issue with getting it through customs into the US which is such a shame as it apparently has a huge following there.
Janie x
Emma says
Oh, that is a cruel irony!
Clotted cream mash potato does sound amazing for us nondairy-challenged eaters…
Jane Sarchet says
Enjoy Emma, sniff ;)
Janie x
London Unattached Lifestyle Food and Travel says
I love Roddas Clotted Cream – I come home with some every time I go to cornwall
Jane Sarchet says
It’s as much a part of traditional Cornish cuisine as the pasty isn’t it Fiona. Tis lovely stuff!
Janie x
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
I enjoyed reading about the history of Rodda’s Clotted Cream, my memory is holidaying in Cornwall and having an icecream with a big dollop of clotted cream on top.
Jane Sarchet says
Ah, me too! Pure decadence :)
Janie x
Morgan @ Peaches, Please! says
I’m with you in that clotted cream is divine!
Jane Sarchet says
:)
Louisa Foti says
Gutted for you you didn’t get to sample, what a shame! If Jonny’s not up to taste testing the clotted cream fudge on his own I’m offering to help out?.
Jane Sarchet says
You are such a good friend Louisa! :D
Janie x
Heidi Roberts says
Oh I bet the fudge was fantastic!!
Jane Sarchet says
GORGEOUS! (I did end up tasting it, oops!)
Janie x
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I do love great clotted cream. I remember when I was little we used to have holidays in Cornwall and send cream by post as a present as. of course, in those days you could only buy it in the West country.
Jane Sarchet says
Oh yes, I remember those insulated tubs they used to send out in the post! So glad you have lovely memories of Cornwall, it’s such a special place.
Janie x
Samantha says
Do roddas do a lactose free version of cream and or fudge.
Jane Sarchet says
Best check with them Samantha, but not to my knowledge.
Janie x