A family who farm near Penrith have diversified to produce Cumbria’s only home-grown cooking oil.
Eden Yard is the new brand launched by Ben and Jannike Taylor, Plumpton Old Hall, Plumpton, who are producing extra virgin rapeseed oil from the crop grown on their land, which is farmed by three generations of the family.
They have been growing oilseed rape on their sheep and arable farm for the last four years.
The oilseed was being sold to merchants, but recently they began investigating how to make their own cooking oil from the crop.
Jannike, 36, said: “We are passionate about local produce and low food miles and so it started as an idea for just our own family to use, but when we realised there is no other cooking oil grown in Cumbria we wanted to see whether anyone else would be interested and the response has been incredible.”
Initially, the seed they grow is going outside the county to be cold pressed — a traditional method of producing fine oils involving no use of heat or chemicals — before being filtered and bottled. Only the first pressing of oil is utilised to ensure the best quality.
“The taste is unique due to our specific soil type and weather,” said 37-year-old Ben.
Rapeseed oil is considered one of the healthiest cooking oils to use, with half the saturated fat of olive oil and a high content of vitamin E and healthy omega fatty acids. It is popular with chefs due to its versatility, mild nutty taste and high smoke point.
“The local shops and restaurants have been so welcoming and enthusiastic,” added Jannike.
“Our next goal is to invest in more production machinery so the entire process of getting the oil bottled and shelf ready can be done from our farm.
”Since its launch in December, Eden Yard rapeseed oil has been used used in many Cumbrian restaurants, including the only one in the county with two Michelin stars, L’Enclume, in Cartmel.
The Plumpton business has just been named a finalist in the Cumbria Food Awards in the innovation of the year category.
Eden Yard’s distinctive bottles are stocked in shops including Cranstons, Chopping Block, J&J Graham, Chestnut House and Low Sizergh Barn, as well as being available direct from the Taylor family’s farm.
