While the lights in the last Jack o’ Lanterns finally flicker out, I think it’s time to turn our attentions towards Christmas.
Retailers and manufacturers everywhere seemed to have that same idea a few weeks ago: we’ve already been excited here at FoodBev by innovations in tea, cheese, pies and confectionery to name just a few, all of which we look forward to sharing with you in the coming weeks.
But, above all, Harrods has got our stomachs groaning with the benchmark in festive luxury – its collection of Christmas hampers. Each one different to the last, they start at £75 and incorporate some of our favourite indulgent foods and drink. Here, we’ve taken our pick of the five that we’d be most likely to ask Santa for – if we were being really, really greedy, that is.
The Chelsea
At £75, The Chelsea collection might be quite modest, but it includes a selection products that are worth going premium for – its loose-leaf spiced black tea and spiced coffee, Belgian milk chocolate and almond bar, honey and clementine biscuits.
Harrods were keen to point out that their hamper offering features something “to suit all of our customers” – and The Chelsea is the most price-accessible of them all.
And of course, it comes with the classic Christmas pudding.
The Hyde
A bit of an upgrade on The Chelsea – £175’s worth of upgrade to be precise – The Hyde appeals to our sweet tooth. It has Turkish delight, golden cocoa-dusted almonds, selections of biscuits and chocolates, cranberry and clementine mince pies and a Christmas cake. Accompanied by Benedict the bear and a pair of fine bone China mugs, this hamper, costing £250 in all, provides enough of a treat for every member of the family.
Oh, and there’s a Christmas pudding.
The Montpelier
The £295 Montpelier features a breadth of sweet and savoury. Ceylon, Earl Grey, English breakfast tea and espresso are met by milk chocolate and butter crunch biscuits, marmalade, and hedgerow fruit jam. If you’re still pining for something sweet, there’s orange and peppermint discs, Turkish delight, and peanut brittle. The cheese includes cheddar with cracked black pepper, goat’s cheese wedges, Stilton, Wensleydale and waxes blue Shropshire cheese with seeded water crackers on the side. There’s bresaola, prosciutto and mini salami bites – plus five different varietals of wine!
No Christmas pudding, mind.
The Supreme
The first thing that takes your eye about The Supreme collection is that it includes alcohol. Lots and lots of alcohol. There are 11 bottles in total, although by the time you’ve drunk all of that you’ll be seeing 30. Champagne, cognac, whisky and wine are all joined at the table by the usual cast of confectionery, biscuits and cakes. There are three whole cheeses plus a cheese selection for good measure – and seven different types of fish, poultry and charcuterie from smoked salmon and sliced duck’s breast to prosciutto cotto, peppercorn saucisson and beef carpaccio. And if you’ve room, it’s topped off by cherry and armagnac mince pies, plum pudding and a gorgeously decorative Christmas cake.
At £1,250, it contains everything that even the most obsessive foodie would need for a memorable holiday.
The Decadence
The Harrods Decadence hamper is a showcase of the most enticing and delectable flavours available from across the globe and carefully sourced by Harrods’ team of experts and suppliers. This hamper caters to those with genuine discernment for quality – from Hermès Histoire d’O extra virgin olive oil and Art Muria high mountain honey to a selection of fine wines and champagnes. In total, there are 24 bottles of wines and spirits; seven separate pieces of chocolate confectionery; eight different types of charcuterie, poultry or fish; four whole cheeses; a range of pantry goodies and two different types of caviar.
And the price of this ultimate show of indulgence? Well, almost as much as the average British wedding – the hamper costs £20,000.
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