A Taste of Cornwall at Christmas
A Taste of Cornwall at Christmas: The Stories Behind Our Festive Hampers
Close your eyes and imagine a Cornish Christmas. It’s not just about twinkling lights; it’s about the roar of the Atlantic against a rugged coastline, the warmth of a pub fire, and a rich culinary heritage passed down through generations. It’s a feeling of comfort, of authenticity, of coming home.
This year, we invite you to unwrap that feeling.
Our Christmas hampers are more than just collections of food and drink. They are carefully curated journeys into the heart of a Cornish festive celebration. Every item tells a story. Let us share a few of them with you.
The Iconic Pasty: A Miner's Lunch, Reimagined for Christmas
The pasty is the undisputed symbol of Cornwall. Born from necessity, its thick crimped crust was designed as a handle for tin miners to hold without contaminating their lunch with arsenic-laden dust. It was a complete, hearty meal sealed in pastry.
We’ve honoured that history while adding a generous dose of festive magic. Our Christmas Dinner Pasties—the star of our Turkey Pasty & Ale Hamper—are a modern celebration of this classic. We’ve packed them with all the flavours of the big day: succulent turkey, sweet cranberry, and herby stuffing. But the true piece of innovation lies inside: a full, juicy 'Pig in a Blanket'.
This isn’t just a filling; it’s a story on its own. It’s the joy of discovering the best part of your Christmas dinner, wrapped in a golden, flaky pastry. It’s a taste of tradition, reinvented for your festive table.
The Great Cream Tea Debate: Cream or Jam First?
In Cornwall, the cream tea is a serious business, centred around one glorious ingredient: Roddas Clotted Cream. This isn't ordinary cream. Since 1890, the Rodda family has been perfecting their method, slowly scalding rich milk to create that unmistakable, velvety crust and luxuriously thick texture. It’s a product of patience and passion.
No Cornish Christmas is complete without this ritual. Our Ultimate Christmas Cream Tea Feast and Mince Pie & Cream Tea Hamper celebrate this in style. We include their classic cream, and for the ultimate indulgence, their exclusive Brandy Clotted Cream—a festive twist that adds a merry warmth to every bite.
And what about the debate? In Cornwall, the only way is jam first, topped with a glorious dollop of cream. It’s the Cornish way, and we’re proud to deliver it authentically to your door.
Cornish Libations: From the Celtic Coast to Your Glass
What’s a feast without a proper drink? Cornwall’s liquid heritage is as rich as its food.
For generations, St Austell Brewery has been brewing ales that are the lifeblood of the county’s pubs. A bottle of their Tribute Pale Ale from our Turkey Pasty & Ale Hamper is a taste of Cornish resilience and craftsmanship—a gloriously golden, refreshing ale that cuts perfectly through the richness of a festive pasty.
Meanwhile, Cornish Orchards presses the West Country's finest apples into ciders that are both crisp and complex. A bottle of their Vintage Cider from our Festive Cheese, Tea & Cider Hamper is the perfect, sophisticated partner for a savoury cheese scone or a slice of mature cheddar, bringing the taste of a Cornish orchard to your festive cheeseboard.
The Art of the Cheeseboard, Cornwall Style
Cornwall’s lush, green pastures produce milk that is transformed into award-winning cheeses. The Cornish Cheese Company is a master of this craft. Their Cornish Blue is a testament to their skill—a wonderfully creamy and complex blue cheese that has won national acclaim, while their classic Cheddar Wax Wheel is the robust, hearty cornerstone of any great cheeseboard.
When you open A Cheesy Christmas Hamper, you’re not just getting cheese; you’re getting a piece of the Cornish landscape, a product of the terroir and the dedication of local artisans.
Bring the Magic of a Cornish Christmas Home
This is the story woven into every hamper we create. It’s a story of heritage, of family recipes, of passion for provenance. When you choose one of our hampers, you are choosing more than a convenient gift or a easy meal.
You are choosing to share the warmth, the history, and the unforgettable taste of a Cornish Christmas.
Ready to create your own festive story? Explore our collection of artisan Cornish Christmas Hampers and bring the magic home.