{"id":7279,"date":"2012-07-20T16:41:00","date_gmt":"2012-07-20T16:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artisanfoodtrail.co.uk\/final\/blog\/the-past-is-brought-to-life-in-alan-coxons-historic-vinegars\/"},"modified":"2022-04-29T10:59:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-29T10:59:09","slug":"past-brought-life-alan-coxon-vinegars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artisanfoodtrail.co.uk\/blog\/past-brought-life-alan-coxon-vinegars\/","title":{"rendered":"The past is brought to life in Alan Coxon’s historic vinegars"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/artisanfoodtrail.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Main-Header.jpg” alt=”Main Header – The Artisan Food Trail” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ specialty=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”20px||0px|” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ specialty_columns=”3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title author=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ title_font=”Arvo|on|||” title_text_color=”#853d01″ title_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center” custom_padding=”||0px|” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” parallax_effect=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/artisanfoodtrail.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/AlanCoxonGreekRoman2-800px.jpg” alt=”Alan Coxon vinegars 1 – The Artisan Food Trail” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Main Image” _builder_version=”3.23″ custom_margin=”0px|||” animation=”off” sticky=”off” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][et_pb_column_inner type=”1_2″ saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/artisanfoodtrail.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Alan-Coxon-Portrait-800px.jpg” alt=”Alan Coxon vinegars 2 – The Artisan Food Trail” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Main Image” _builder_version=”3.23″ custom_margin=”0px|||” animation=”off” sticky=”off” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font_size=”15″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Being introduced to the range of Alan Coxon vinegars was a real eye-opener. They are based on some of the oldest recipes in culinary history and are the direct result of Alan\u2019s unerring quest to dig into ancient history and uncover long-since forgotten concoctions.<\/p>\n

With twinkling eyes and a disarming smile, Alan Coxon is a man brimming with enthusiasm and a head full of interesting food and history facts. Some would say he is the Stephen Fry of the culinary world.\u00a0Alan is every bit a food archaeologist \u2013 there’s little he does not know about the world\u2019s food heritage.
\nWe have known of him since the 90s when he was on many television cooking programmes. We finally got to meet Alan giving one of his informative and engaging cookery demonstrations at Woburn Food & Crafts Festival.<\/p>\n

It has taken Alan Coxon a decade to create and perfect the vinegars.\u00a0The lengthy research, even down to the development of the bottle design,\u00a0all carried out by Alan, prompted him to remortgage his house. It has been a long hard road, but his determination has finally brought to fruition some truly special products.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ text_font_size=”15″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\"Alan<\/a>Roman Vinaigre<\/h2>\n

After much research Alan\u2019s influences for the Roman Vinaigre were derived from three of Ancient Rome’s greatest gastronomes.<\/p>\n

All three were named Apicious and lived during the rise of Julius and Augustus Caesar, Emperors Tiberius and Trajan. By the end of the first century AD the name Apicious had become a symbol of wealth and all of the good things in life.<\/p>\n

The Roman Vinaigre is made using quality wine, which is brewed naturally and then infused with some of Ancient Rome’s favourite spices.<\/p>\n

Warming flavours such as cinnamon, hints of camomile and a touch of peppercorn are sweetened by one of the oldest sugars known to man, honey. Honey was a favourite and much used ingredient during the Roman period. It is warming both on the palate and the nose oozing with herbs and spices, fruit and floral undertones.<\/p>\n

Because of the slightly spicy nature, Roman Vinaigre, we found that it works very well with pork and chicken and makes a superb salad dressing. Nothing else is required, not even oil, as all the flavour is there.\u00a0It is particularly wonderful drizzled over sliced nectarines with parma ham.<\/p>\n

Not only is Roman Vinaigre perfect for no-fuss marinades, but also as a thick drizzling glaze. The vinaigre just needs to be simmered to reduce it to a syrupy consistency, it transforms plain old vanilla ice cream into something luxuriously decadent.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.7″ text_font_size=”15″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

\"Alan<\/a>Ancient Greek Vinaigre<\/h2>\n

The Ancient Greeks were historically respected far and wide as leaders in the culinary field and Alan has taken cues from Ancient Greek cuisine which were honey, vinegar, fish sauce and a\u00a0few\u00a0carefully balanced herbs and spices to produce his Ancient Greek Vinaigre.<\/p>\n

The secret to their cuisine was to balance the sweetness with the bitter, the sour and sometimes, the unusual.\u00a0The Ancient Greeks were elegant in style and hand and\u00a0would only add three or four spices or herbs to a dish at any one time, as opposed to Roman recipes which could have had as many as 10 strong flavourings.<\/p>\n

For his Ancient Greek Vinaigre, Alan has taken a route of balance and simplicity, while bringing out the individual flavours. The sweetness comes from the vine fruits, a slight bitterness from the coriander and a clean, fresh acidity from the wine. The aroma is light, fruity and fragrant.<\/p>\n

Alan claims, \u201cIt is befitting of a Greek goddess and possibly why it is a favourite of the ladies!\u201d and adds, \u201cThis true wine vinegar will give you a kick and kiss at the same time.\u201d He\u2019s certainly right and although it does give a kick it is not overpowering or sharply acidic. The \u2018kick\u2019 is wow factor.
\nAlan informs us that The Ancient Greeks certainly placed a value on the power of their vinegar as they sipped it before competing in the very first Olympics.<\/p>\n

This vinaigre lends itself well to oriental style dishes and can be used to replace rice wine vinegar. The flavour is perfectly balanced to create a pleasing sweet and sour sauce. Try using as a marinade for fish or poultry or in salad dressings. In fact, the sky\u2019s the limit. It even complements sweet dishes too.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_position=”top_left” custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”AFT Approved” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ text_font=”Arvo||||” text_text_color=”#853d01″ text_font_size=”18″ background_color=”rgba(109,191,230,0.22)” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” border_style=”solid” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]\"\"<\/a><\/strong>Artisan Food Trail Approved
\n<\/strong>We are pleased to give this award to Alan Coxon for his Roman Vinaigre and Ancient Greek Vinaigre[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font_size=”15″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

About the Bottle<\/h2>\n

An artisan product needs a suitable and equally artisan container.\u00a0After looking around for ready-made bottles that had a historical look,
\nAlan found they were all too archetypal, too Disney-esque. Alan set about designing the bottles himself as he wanted something that looked old yet modern. From his sketch, he got a glassblower to reproduce the shape in three dimensional form and from that, a mould was made.<\/p>\n

The bottles are made from heavy glass with a frosted section around the neck. The shape feels good in the hand, being substantial and elegant conveying the high quality of the product within. The bottles can also be re-used for another purpose.
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”10px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(109,191,230,0.22)” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Info Link” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ text_font=”Arvo||||” text_font_size=”18″ text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”||0px|” hover_enabled=”0″ border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Find out more about Alan Coxon<\/strong>\u00a0on The Artisan Food Trail<\/strong><\/a>
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”10px||20px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Photo Credit” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||on||” text_orientation=”right” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]Photos: \u00a9\u00a0childsdesign<\/a>, Alan Coxon
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”||20px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”off” prev_text=”%title” next_text=”%title” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ title_text_color=”#853d01″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” hide_prev=”off” hide_next=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_sidebar area=”sidebar-1″ _builder_version=”3.0.74″ remove_border=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_sidebar][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”#863e1d” custom_padding=”0px||20px|” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_module=”25399″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ padding_mobile=”off” make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||5px|” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.6.1″ header_2_line_height=”1.3em” background_layout=”dark” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Sign up to receive our newsletter<\/h2>\n

For the latest producer info, shows, markets, recipes, competitions and more each month.<\/p>\n

Please be assured that we don’t sell or pass on your information to third parties.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Keep up to date with:<\/h3>\n