The Legacy: Thomas Twining, the man who made such good tea, not even the Boston rebels would toss it in the harbour
Arriving in London as a young boy, Thomas Twining saw a gap in the market, and made his name as one of Britain's first tea sellers.
Food and Drink
Discover the latest in food and drink news, try our delicious and easy recipes using fresh seasonal produce and read our pub and restaurant reviews.
Here at Country Life we love to cook and we love to eat. Seasonality is important, whether you’re growing your own or visiting the farmers’ market for your ingredients – but we love to cook seasonally. Whether it’s our brilliant collection of elderflower recipes in the summertime, our ultimate sloe gin recipe in autumn or gorgeous roast goose recipes in the winter, we have collected the best seasonal recipes by ingredient on dedicated pages
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Victoria sponge: The ultimate test of every baker and a favourite of the nation
Thanks to the Women's Institute and wartime rationing, this sweet spongecake is now the bedrock of tea-time treats.
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Curious Questions: What is mock turtle soup? And did it come before or after 'Alice in Wonderland'?
Martin Fone delves into the curious tale of an iconic Victorian delicacy: mock turtle soup.
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The sacred, the profane, the chaste and the lascivious: The secrets of the best strawberries according to Tom Parker-Bowles
Sack off the chocolate and savour them pure and unblemished, save for a 'slick of cream and sprinkling of sugar'.
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'The Swiss Army Knife of foods': Untangling the truth and lies around milk
Milk's reputation has seen plenty of ups and downs in recent years, but the farmer, chef and writer Matthew Evans is trying to put the record straight. Scottish farmer — and regular Country Life columnist — Jamie Blackett takes a look at Evans's new book, 'Milk: The truth, the lies and the unbelievable story of the original superfood'.
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How to make gooseberry and ginger custard tart
Melanie Johnson shares her recipe.
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The dish that's as simple as it is brilliant: Tom Parker-Bowles on omelettes, and his ultimate omelette recipe
On omelette takes minutes to make, but a lifetime to master — and practice may eventually make perfect, hopes Tom Parker Bowles.
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Country Life's Little Green Book: The eco-friendly companies making the world a better place
Country Life's pick of the people, places and products, from garlic chutney to laundry capsules, that are making waves with their green credentials. Compiled by Madeleine Silver and Rosie Paterson.
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How to grow your own botanicals and impress at cocktail hour
Once associated largely with gin, there is a host of easy-to-grow botanicals that will enliven both drinks and mealtimes, advises Natasha Goodfellow.
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A summer scone recipe with apricot, chamomile and honey, as imagined by the creator of a royal wedding cake
Claire Ptak shares a deliciously summery summer scone recipe.
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A taste of The Season: How to make Pimm's Pavlova
It's the time of the year where strawberries take centre stage — use this 'thoroughly British' recipe to celebrate this succulent red fruit with our favourite summertime drink.
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A game of two halves — how the sandwich went from humble fare to a country-wide lunchtime obsession
What started life as a way to eat and play cards at the same time (so the story goes) is now the lunch of choice for the working world.
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Recipe: Creamy tarragon prawns and asparagus with spinach gnocchi
Melanie Johnson's recipe takes the 'subtle yet perceivable' taste of tarragon and uses it to elevate this hearty seafood pasta.
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The Welsh Way
Sustainable, ethical and unmatched for taste, Welsh Lamb is as good as meat gets.
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A perfect summer lunch recipe for the long weekend: Spicy udon noodles with tofu and watercress
Melanie Johnson shares a dish which makes the most of cress's peppery punch.
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This is how we brew it: The cafés of the Cotswolds
Having lived in the shadow of its Antipodean counterpart, British coffee-shop culture is finally thriving. Ben Lerwill visits the Cotswolds, where it all began
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Where to find the world's best club sandwich
The club sandwich, arguably the most famous of all sarnies, is a poolside staple, but its origins are tricky to trace, says Tom Parker Bowles.
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Jonathan Self: Real friendship survives separation, violently different opinions and surprisingly shabby behaviour'
The reopening of a much-loved restaurant is, says Jonathan Self, like a joyous reunion with an old friend.
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Chocolate hobnobs, mascarpone and mint — the perfect cheesecake for summer
Melanie Johnson has crafted a delicious mint mojito cheesecake that will impress everyone.
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The wicker weavers who can make a picnic hamper with such skill that you can choose whether it's silent or squeaky
Lifting the lid on a sturdy hamper to find cold ham and ginger beer is a summer joy. Here are some of the wicker weavers who make the dream come true.
