Jude’s Clotted Cream Ice-cream and Salted Caramel Variety

I had once said Waitrose Devonshire Clotted Cream Ice-cream to be the best ice-cream from supermarkets, and this is due to the extra smoothness and light creaminess of the clotted cream that lingers at the back of the mouth. So when I see there is another brand of clotted cream ice-cream, I do not hesitate to get a tub. Introducing Jude’s Clotted Cream Ice-cream!

And this ice-cream does not disappoint. Clotted cream does wonders to ice-cream, period. A spoonful of this is enough to make me feel blissful, but it is hard to stop at one spoonful.

This brand of Salted Caramel ice-cream is divine too. Not too sweet but packs the aromas of caramel and sea salt, it is definitely worth a try.

Country of Origin: England
Where to get this: Cold Storage’s supermarkets

New Zealand Natural

I was actually checking out the ice-cream & cookie co’s selection of ice-cream at NTUC when I noticed New Zealand Natural ice-cream stashed in the neighbouring freezer compartment. Curiosity prompted me to pick up a tub to check the ingredient list, where there is no sight of artificial colouring and flavour, plus the fact that there was 2-for-1 offer, I ended buying three tubs home. Guess what, this brand of ice-cream is fast becoming one of my favourites.

Forestberry yoghurt is very creamy, so thumbs up to this one. The same goes for vanilla ice-cream. The big surprise comes in the form of Lychee & Passionfruit ice-cream. This is the must-try of New Zealand Natural’s lineup. The sweet floral taste of lychee will please any palates while the swirls of passionfruit jam adds mild citrus tangy flavour to perk up the taste. The result is creamy yet refreshing treat.

I also highly recommend Buttermilk and Raspberry. The nutty flavour with a bit of tang from the buttermilk makes for a interesting yet delicious treat.

Country of origin: New Zealand
Where to get this: NTUC or Cold Storage supermarkets

Snacky & Crisps

Jin Ho Jiak ar! Okay, this is the first thought that comes into my mind when I pop a piece of super crispy potato chip, laden with local flavours, into my mouth. Using only natural ingredients like prawns and seasonings such as the rich, creamy coconut powder, laksa leaves, curry powder, garlic powder and more, this snack is a winner on the taste department. To add on to the awesomeness of this snack, there are fried, crispy tau pok, commonly known as fried beancurd skin, to give a varied texture.

I highly recommend this snack. Definitely worth a try. And it makes great gifts for foreign friends, provided they can take the spiciness, since it is like laksa packed in a bag, showcasing the flavours of Singapore.

Country of Orgin: Singapore!
Where to get this: Cold Storage and NTUC Finest supermarkets, Cheers

Yeo Ice-cream

This British ice-cream is like frozen cloud. The texture is ethereal, being light and airy. The taste is decadently sweet, and the salted caramel adds the nutty flavour and punch. Best of all, it is made with organic ingredients.

Country of Origin: England
Where to get this: Cold Storage supermarkets

SPA Foods Tea

Fancy some exotic, unique tea not easily available in supermarkets? I know I do, and so I’m immediately brought a pack when I first tried a sample of lemongrass tea at Takashimaya Food Hall. I like the light aroma of lemon in this tea, and this plant packs lots of health benefits within it.

So when I see that Song Fish at Yishun also carries this product, I jump at the chance to buy it after I had finished the first pack. And while at it, I get to check out the other products in SPA Foods’ tea range, such as Blue Pea Flower and Pandan. Pandan has this sweet fragrance that I love, and the taste is refreshing and mild. Like lemongrass, pandan also provides many health benefits. Blue Pea Flower features this beautiful blue hue that I use as natural colouring for my baked goods and jelly. The taste is a bit like that of jasmine tea. Tastes great and refreshing when added to jelly.

Country of Origin: Thailand
Where to get this: Click here to find out from SPA Foods’ site

Dairyworks Gouda Cheese

After trying natural cheeses, I have, apparently, develop a liking for it, I could not resist strolling over to the cheese section in Cold Storage to take a peek at the great selection of natural cheeses.

Dairyworks' packaging looks too attractive to be ignored, and I end up grabbing a pack of Gouda Cheese since I miss the slightly stretchy quality of this kind of cheese—think the texture of Mozzarella Cheese, but Gouda has stronger nutty flavour.

It tastes great either straight from fridge or melted on warm toast.

Country of Origin: New Zealand
Where to get this: Cold Storage

Note: Other brands that carry products made with 100% natural ingredients are Président (France, and not including individually wrapped cheese slices), Kerrygold (Ireland), Arla (Germany), Emborg (Germany), Organic Valley (USA), Sierra Nevada (USA), Coon (Australia), Entre Mont (France), West Minster (England), Galvani (Italy), Mainland (New Zealand), Tradition (Netherlands) and Ammerlander (Germany).

Tamar Valley Yoghurt

This is seriously good. The yoghurt is incredibly creamy with chucks of strawberry and blueberry fruits and puree mixed into it. Best of all, thus is made with all natural ingredients. Straight from Tasmania, the homeland of Tasmania Devil.

Country of Origin: Australia
Where to get this: Cold Storage Supermarkets

Organic Valley Baby Swiss Cheese

This cheese has an even more complex and robust flavour as compared to Emmental Cheese. The bitterness is more pronounced, but I can say it tastes very good when paired with butter and bread. The texture is similar to that of Gouda Cheese, being slightly stretchy when heated, so I recommend to try it on a warm toast for a different way to savour it.

Take note that I put the tag "Natural" in this post since saved for the Calcium Chloride (for added calcium?), the other ingredients of milk, salt, lactic acid and vegetable enzyme are natural.

Country of Origin: USA

Where to get this: Cold Storage Supermarkets

Tradition Edam Cheese

Looks like I have developed a craving for quality cheeses after first buying a pack of 100% natural cheese made only with milk, lactic acid, salt and rennet. And so after finishing the amazing Président Emmental Cheese, I am off to try out other brands and types of cheese.

I choose Tradition Edam Cheese for obvious reason that it is made with natural ingredients.  The cheesy flavour is actually very pronounced in this Edam cheese and the texture is simply to that of Gouda. So I guess it should be good on warm toast. But take note that this cheese is very salty, so best to eat it with bread. It has a slight bitterness as end note.

I do wish that Tradition makes the packaging resealable like the other brands. But it is not. Alas.

Country of Origin: Netherlands
Where to get thus: NTUC supermarkets

Note: Other brands that carry products made with 100% natural ingredients are Président (France, and not including individually wrapped cheese slices), Kerrygold (Ireland), Emborg (Germany), Dairyworks (New Zealand), Arla (Germany), Organic Valley (USA), Sierra Nevada (USA), Coon (Australia), Entre Mont (France), West Minster (England), Galvani (Italy), Mainland (New Zealand) and Ammerlander (Germany).

Kerrygold Mature Cheddar Cheese

Curious on the real look of the oh-so-familiar Cheddar? Check out Kerrygold’s Mature Cheddar made from milk produced by grass-fed cows, or see the photo below.

This is how natural Cheddar cheese looks like, without the colour additive. This cheese has the distinctive tang of Cheddar cheese. Also, it is richer and creamier than the common varieties. Take note that it is pretty crumbly in texture, thus breaking easily. But really, if I want to savour Cheddar cheese, I will get this cheese over others.

Country of Origin: Ireland
Where to get this: Cold Storage supermarkets

Other brands that carry products made with 100% natural ingredients are Président (France, and not including individually wrapped cheese slices), Emborg (Germany), Dairyworks (New Zealand), Arla (Germany), Organic Valley (USA), Sierra Nevada (USA), Coon (Australia), Entre Mont (France), West Minster (England), Galvani (Italy), Mainland (New Zealand), Tradition (Netherlands) and Ammerlander (Germany).

Emborg Gouda/Havarti Cheese

Gouda Cheese is milder in flavour as compared to Emmental. So it is the kind of cheese suitable for everyone's taste. But this still has that bit of bitterness, almost undetectable, to give character and complexity to this cheese's taste profile. And besides using it for sandwich, I also like its melted texture, which has an iota of stretchy quality, when I put one on top of piping hot French Toast.

Havarti cheese somewhat similar to Gouda in term of mildness, but its texture is that of classic cheese. Great for cold sandwiches.

And this is made with 100% natural ingredients. Yes, the usual suspects of milk, salt, lactic acid and rennet.

Country of Origin: Germany
Where to get this: Cold Storage and NTUC supermarkets.

Other brands that carry products made with 100% natural ingredients are Président (France, and not including individually wrapped cheese slices), Kerrygold (Ireland), Dairyworks (New Zealand), Arla (Germany), Organic Valley (USA), Sierra Nevada (USA), Coon (Australia), Entre Mont (France), West Minster (England), Galvani (Italy), Mainland (New Zealand), Tradition (Netherlands) and Ammerlander (Germany).

Arla Emmental Cheese

Made with 100% natural ingredients of milk, salt, lactic acid and rennet, this wholesome cheese, completed with holes, is so delicious. Like wine, quality cheeses have complexity in their tastes. And this cheese features the nutty flavour, an iota of bitter taste and a very mild sweetness that develops after tasting the slight bitterness that I love in Emmental cheese.

I know I want more after finishing a sandwich with this cheese added. But do note that due to the strong taste of this cheese and firmer texture, not everyone is able to get accustomed to it. On the side note, a friend of mine, who is a cheese lover, did tell me that the quiche I made with shredded Emmental cheese is better than other varieties he had tried. Actually, I do agree with that. I have yet eaten a quiche that is better than my Crab Quiche. Though to be fair, I have not eaten lots of quiches outside the ones I made. The key to making good quiche is simply using Emmental cheese, real crab meat and buttery crust made with my secret recipe.

Country of Origin: Germany
Where to get this: Cold Storage and NTUC supermarkets

Note: Other brands that carry products made with 100% natural ingredients are Président (France, and not including individually wrapped cheese slices), Kerrygold (Ireland), Dairyworks (New Zealand), Emborg (Germany), Organic Valley (USA), Sierra Nevada (USA), Coon (Australia), Entre Mont (France), West Minster (England), Galvani (Italy), Mainland (New Zealand), Tradition (Netherlands) and Ammerlander (Germany). But I cannot be trying them all in one go lol

Annie’s Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks

Made with organic ingredients, tapioca instead of corn, with no yucky stuff like artificial colours and flavours, and preservatives, this brand of gummies is one of the best sweets available on the market.

I also like its natural lemon flavour and the texture, which is slightly chewy, easy to bite and does not stick to the teeth.

Absolutely one of the best choices to give to children. But still, need to watch the sugar intake.

Country of Origin: USA
Where to get this: Cold Storage (Organic section)

Australian Scallops

Everyone knows that Japanese scallops are crème de la crème of this class of delicious bivalve mollusks. Australian scallops are not easily found in our supermarkets, and is thus not as well-known. Well, I highly recommend giving Australian scallops a try, for something different.

The texture is springy with very slight hints of the pliability of the fish meat, so even after cooking them for long time, they do not get as rubbery as other kinds of scallops. Taste wise, it is less salty, but the briny flavours atypical of scallops is more pronounced in Australian scallops.

Country of Origin: Australia, obviously
Where to get this: The Seafood Marketplace by Song Fish

Swiss Delice

For something different, to try or to give as presents, check out Swiss Delice products.

White Chocolate Truffino Pink consists of a core of raspberry cream encased in paper thin wafer that is coated with white chocolate. Due to the combination of raspberries and white chocolate, this decadent truffle piece features intense flavours. Great gift for that someone special. But this sold out fast at road shows, so grab a box fast if you spot it.

Air Passion is yoghurt cream sandwiched between airy, light, meringue-like biscuits. I like this due to the tangy flavours of yoghurt and the fact that this is a unique confectionary.

Choco Truffino Noir is like White Chocolate Truffino Pink, except that the core is hazelnut cream and dark chocolate is used instead. It is nice, but given that there are lots of other products featuring the combination of hazelnut and dark chocolate, this is not exactly special in any way.

Since no artificial flavours and colours are added, these make great treats for kids too.

Country of Origin: Switzerland
Where to get this: The Cocoa Trees

Kägi

Love the strong taste of rum in this wafer chocolate!

Country of Origin: Switzerland
Where to get this: The Cocoa Trees

Jagabee

おいしい!!!

Okay, I wrote, “Oishii!” which means delicious. I just got my eager hands on some Jagabee potato products, and I absolutely love ... munching on them. Many years ago, a small packet, brought in Hokkaido, was given to me as present and till now, I still remember it as the best potato sticks I ever have. Even now, this has not changed. The Hokkaido premium variety, made from non-GMO Hokkaido potatoes, cannot be found in just any supermarkets, so imagine my joy when I saw them in Emporium Shokuhin. The natural taste of potatoes is pronounced in this range of Jagabee products, thus no MSG is needed to enhance the taste. In fact, only salt is used on the colourful, cute Pirika cubes—the colours come from the use of normal, natural red and purple potatoes. I also love Imoko and Kobutaro for its strong taste of umami due to the addition of scallop extract and dried bite-sized sheets of kelp.

So looking forward to get Pokkuru! And latest update: I got them! Eating those crunchy French fries is reliving the fond memories of tasting such awesome potato chips for the first time.

Country of Origin: Japan
Where to get this: Choco Express at AMK Hub and Emporium Shokuhin (This grocer is currently not in operation)

Okayama Shine Muscat Grapes

I used to say Kyoho Grapes are the best grapes. Now that has changed, after I have tried Okayama Shine Muscat. Thin skin, firm juicy flesh that tastes refreshing and blissfully sweet. And a hint of floral aroma, incorporated with a touch of flavour of wine and melon is what makes these beautiful jade green orbs taste so special. A must try.

Note: There are Shine Muscat grapes from Korea and other prefectures of Japan. While these grapes spot the distinctive floral wine flavour, this aroma is not as pronounced and the level of sweetness is not comparable with that of Shine Muscat grapes from Okayama. While Shine Muscat grapes from outside Okayama are worth a try, they should not be used as benchmark for Shine Muscat grapes.

Country of Origin: Japan
Where to get this: Emporium Shokuhin (This grocer is currently not in operation), NTUC and Cold Storage

Bulla Frozen Greek style Yoghurt

The tangy taste of yoghurt adds extra zest to the ice-cream, which works for me. And the Greek style yoghurt makes for a creamier treat than other frozen yoghurt products. For the Blueberry frozen yoghurt, it is a perfect match with nutty flavour of the white chocolate.

The Boysenberry yoghurt may not be love at first taste, but I find myself liking it as I try more of it. Helps that the cone is super crunchy. Highly recommend to put it out of fridge for at least five minutes before tucking into it.

Country of Origin: Australia
Where to get this: NTUC and Cold Storage supermarkets

Valrhona Chocolates

As I had said before in another post about gourmet chocolates, premium chocolates are totally different from the common ones found in most supermarkets. Premium ones are made from pure, natural ingredients, and the rich taste and smooth yet not waxy texture show it. Valrhona chocolate, famous for use in cakes, is definitely one of my favourite brands of chocolates.

It is not easy to find this brand of chocolates, so imagine my joy when I first spotted them in Emporium Shokuhin. Best of all, there are occasional discounts on specific types of chocolates, so I grabbed the ones on offer.

Andao has the richest chocolatey taste of the lot while Tanariva features the flavour of caramel, adding a hint of excitement to the taste. And amazingly, no caramel is added to Tanariva, the flavour comes from the cocoa itself. Yes, quality chocolates are like wines, they have their own characteristic bouquet and flavour. Ivoire has my nod of approval due to strong flavour of cocoa butter and the addition of raspberries to give that extra kick and crunchiness to the chocolate. Guanaja is elegant and intense in taste. I also like Manjari a lot due to its fruity taste.

For best appreciation of the chocolates, savour it at room temperature, or at least, not straight out from the fridge.

Country of Origin: France
Where to buy: Emporium Shokuhin (This grocer is currently not in operation)