A.Gold products

Peer through our window and you'll glimpse old fashioned sweets in jars, sugar mice, lemon curd, Sherbert Fountains, Suffolk Blend Tea, Earl Grey's Gingerbread Gentlemen, handmade biscuits in hessian bags - these are a few of our favourite things. We celebrate small producers; the unusual, the nostalgic and individuals with a passion for food.

This is just a small selection of our stock at the moment. It's always best to pop in and see what's new. We look forward to seeing you.

Rosebud Preserves

Established in 1989 by Elspeth Biltoft, Rosebud Preseves is tucked away in a small village above Masham in North Yorkshire. Their range of sweet and savoury preserves are made principally by hand and in small batches using the best available ingredients bought and gathered locally wherever possible. We have some of their classics; Old Yorkshire Chutney, the perfect sweet pickle for cold meats and cheeses, raspberry jam, strawberry jam and bramble & apple jam. www.rosebudpreserves.co.uk

English Mead

One of the oldest (some say the oldest) fermented drinks, English Mead is a unique and special drink, made from honey and traditionally given to a newly married couple for them to drink at their wedding and for a month afterwards - hence the word 'honeymoon'. Our mead, from Lurgashall winery in Sussex, is well balanced with a very full, sweet honeyed flavour - but not too sweet.

In warmer weather it is lovely over ice and in Winter mulled with spices or orange and ginger. It goes well with strong Cheddar cheese and is a great accompaniment to desserts. Try adding two-thirds tonic and a squeeze of fresh lime for a cocktail. 50cl Alc. 12.5% vol. www.lurgashall.co.uk

Sir Hans Sloane Chocolates

Born in 1660, Sir Hans Sloane introduced drinking chocolate to the UK in 1687. First used as a remedy and medicine, Sir Hans mixed the cocoa with milk to make a palatable drink. Apart from drinking chocolate this remarkable man also bequeathed to the nation what must have been a rather large 'cabinet of curiosities' which later became the British Museum. Both Sloane Street and Square are named after him.

Now Sir Hans Sloane, run by chocolatier Bill McCarrick, make fine chocolates sourcing cacao direct from Central American farms and running this small family company with passion. We have their delicious milk chocolate beads which can be made into drinking chocolate, sprinkled over ice-cream or the way we like them - scooped straight from the tin. Watch a little video about the company. www.sirhanssloane.com

Kendal Mint Cake

Famously taken up to the summit of Everest with Sir Edmund Hilary and Sherpa Tenzing in 1953, Kendal Mint Cake is a firm favourite with climbers and hikers everywhere, even if they are attempting something a little more modest than the highest mountain on Earth. Kendal mint cake has a subtle but stimulating flavour; cool in summer, fiery in winter and has a unique blend of textures, smooth and hard, but always creamy. www.kendal.mintcake.co.uk

Ginger Beer & Truman's Runner Ale

Hollows Ginger Beer is the real thing, made using the finest Chinese ginger root with a slow fermentation and botanical brewing method. This process releases a deep and satisfying ginger flavour and a natural cloudiness. 500ml Alc. 4.0% vol. www.drinkhollows.com

Truman's Runner Ale is a beer with a back story. Anyone who lives or works around here will know the Truman's name - it's on signs outside many of the area's most iconic pubs, as well as writ large up the stack of a chimney that rises from the collection of warehouses that once housed the brewery. Truman's was founded in 1666 when Brick Lane was just a track surrounded by fields; in time it became the biggest brewer in the world. In 1989, after 323 years, the brewery and pubs were sold and Truman's was closed. Thankfully, the name remained.

Two local beer enthusiasts restarted the Truman's brand in 2010 and with it a beer named after the brewery porters, or 'runners', who devoted their working lives to Truman's. Truly a beer for the people. You can buy it draught in local pubs, but we are the first shop to have it in bottles.

Truman's have a splendid website with lots of fascinating history and wonderful old photographs. 500ml Alc. 4.0% vol. www.trumansbeer.co.uk

Campbell's Tea

'Beautiful Flavour, Delicious Rich Cup' it says on the tin and we can only agree. A strong full-bodied blended tea made from loose East African leaves. www.facebook.com/Campbellstea

Kernel Beer

Brewed in a railway arch in South East London, Kernel Beer has responded to the need for more good beer, brewed by people with passion. We have three at the moment: Pale Ale - a crisp, clean, fresh beer with a pale golden colour. It has aromas of grapefruit and lemon with a crisp, clean taste. 5.4% abv.

London Porter - drier and roastier than some, black with aromas of chocolate, sour berries, raisin, coffee and a touch of smokey malt. 5.0% abv.

India Pale Ale - This is a tropical fruit salad! Mango, peach, lychee and pineapple juiciness. A malty sweetness; full and creamy body. 6.6% abv. www.thekernelbrewery.com

Monmouth Coffee

One of the best-regarded coffee importers and roasters in the UK, Monmouth Coffee started in 1978 from the basement of their shop in Covent Garden. They say "We roast coffee from single farms, estates and cooperatives. When we taste a coffee that we like, we want to know where it comes from and who grows, picks and processes it read more on Monmouth's website..."

We usually stock a range of 3-4 coffees, often organic, from different estates and parts of the world. Our coffee is available in 250g bags and we can grind beans to order for your style of coffee-maker.

Try an A.Gold coffee. We make our coffee filter-style, which we think is the best way. Quiet, relaxed, gentle - manual brewing, pouring hot water (but not that hot) over freshly ground coffee brings out the full flavour of the bean and creates a rounded, full, smooth cup of delicious coffee. No froth here. www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk

Summerdown Mint Tea

This is special. A mint tea made with peppermint oil distilled from Black Mitcham mint grown on the Hampshire Downs. Rejecting the cheaper imported oils, Summerdown Farm set out in the 1990's to re-establish this traditional crop in the UK. Fresh, aromatic and bright, peppermint tea is traditionally valued for its digestive and calming qualities. www.summerdownmint.com

Uncle Joe's Mint Balls

Established in 1898 in Wigan, William Santus is still manufacturing traditional sweets. Their most celebrated confection are Uncle Joe's Mint Balls, first made by Mrs Santus in the 1890's. The secret recipe, passed down through the generations, hasnt changed since then and they are still made in the factory in Wigan using pure cane sugar, oil of peppermint and cream of tartar. On 16 February 2011, the factory produced the two-billionth mint ball. See the two billionth & something mint ball being produced in this video. A lovely classic mint; they 'Keep you all aglow' as Uncle Joe says. www.uncle-joes.com

Farrah's Toffee

The Original Harrogate Toffee was designed to clear the palate after tasting Harrogate's rather pungent sulphur water, famous in the 19th century for its healing properties. Farrah's use three different types of sugar, proper butter and a hint of lemon to give a unique texture and flavour to their original toffee. We also have their toffee assortment and butter fudge. Farrah's toffees and fudge in their delightful old fashioned tins are the essence of Englishness. www.farrahs.com

London Honeycomb

Cut straight from the hive, this is a delicious treat - honey in its most natural state. It's super tasty on toast, with cheese and biscuits or just as it is, spooned from the box. It has a light, floral taste; from bees that roam the gardens and parks of the city.

We have London honeycomb (from Wapping, East London) at the moment. www.thelondonhoneycompany.co.uk

Toffee Shop Fudge

Described as "The best fudge in England", this splendid fudge has to be tasted to be believed. Made by hand in small batches in their kitchen in Penrith, Cumbria, Toffee Shop have used the same recipe for over 90 years and it has never been changed. Harpers & Queen magazine say "Would you believe that there is a fudge so good that strong men weep if deprived of it and otherwise scrupulous people creep through darkened rooms at dead of night to steal another morsel!?" We know that feeling. Rich and buttery with a crumbly, slightly grainy texture it is utterly moreish. www.thetoffeeshop.co.uk

Handmade Marshmallow

A.Gold used to sell handmade marshmallow many years ago and we still get asked for it. Not the easiest thing to make and a world away from the rubbery stuff you see in supermarkets, we've finally tracked it down. Nicola from Patchetts Confectionary is making the lightest, fluffiest marshmallow we've tasted in a long time. There are three melt-in-the-mouth flavours - vanilla, lemon meringue and English lavender with six large pieces per pack.

Butterworth & Son

From Suffolk, Butterworth & Son produce The Royal Norfolk Regiment's Campaign Chutney - favoured by the gentlemen of the Royal Norfolk Regiment while both on active service and in camp. This is a typical old English recipe, with vegetables, fruits, spices, sugar and mustard. Excellent with all cold meats and cheeses, whether you're on active service or not. We also have Butterworth's Hot Garlic Pickle - packed with chunks of garlic this is hot and sweet with a strong garlic finish, as you can imagine.

St. John & Dolly Smith's

Homemade with all natural ingredients "Old Nick" Scotch Bonnet Sauce contains one of the world's hottest chilli peppers. This sauce takes no prisoners - expect a delayed but intense heat. On a more gentle note, the Sweet Lime Chutney combines the slight bitterness of lime rind with sweetness and a little heat - delicious with chicken, fish, cheese or curries.

The Brinjal pickle is medium hot; most people who enjoy curries, even mild curries will like this one. Try it with cheese, cold meats, a jacket potato and even as a marinade. www.thepickleman.co.uk

Flowers of Scotland

Pretty as a picture, 'Flowers of Scotland' is a colourful blend of flowers, herbs, fruits and spices and is the perfect compliment to pork, poultry and any game. Rub it into the meat before cooking; sprinkle it on salads, use it in sauces, gravy or dressings. Contains wild garlic, rosehips and juniper. www.uncleroys.co.uk

Gentlemen's Relish

Gent's Relish was created in 1828 by an Englishman (indeed a Gentleman) called John Osborn. It has a strong, very salty and slightly fishy taste; containing anchovies, butter, herbs and spices. The exact recipe remains a secret and has been passed down by word of mouth over the years.

Gentleman's Relish is traditionally eaten thinly spread on toast. It can also be added to minced meat for a piquant Shepherd's Pie or to fish cakes. It can be melted into scrambled eggs or be used as a topping for jacket potatoes.

Food Lovers' London

Now in its sixth edition, Food Lovers' London is the definitive guide to London's rich and diverse food culture. From world-famous food emporiums to friendly farmers' markets, this book is both useful and inspirational (plus we're in it). Written by Jenny Linford. www.jennylinford.co.uk

Cookware

A range of traditional cook and tableware, including classic 'Rayware' mixing bowls, jugs and butter dishes. We also have Kilner jars, bake pans, roasting dishes and enamel tea and coffee pots.

Earl Grey hand-baked biscuits

Delightful and delicious hand-baked biscuits from Earl Grey. Choose Shortbread Soldiers, Gingerbread Gentlemen or Little Lemon Ladies. Lovely with tea, or the perfect gift.

Victory V's

Victory V is a liquorice-flavoured lozenge. Often associated with the war, this British sweet was actually created by Thomas Fryer and Edward Smith in the mid-19th century. They were originally made by hand to ensure that each sweet contained the correct amount of the therapeutic ingredients; ether, liquorice and chloroform. You'll be pleased to hear (we hope) that they no longer contain chloroform or ether, but have a slightly floral, pleasantly medicinal taste.

Fizz Wiz Popping Candy

Apparently it's creeping into top chef's kitchens as the ultimate ironic ingredient. We love it for its sheer mouth-tingling sense of fun. A tuck-shop classic, it used to be called Space Dust. After disappearing for a while (the un-founded story went round that it was too explosive - how exciting!) it's back as Fizz Wiz Popping Candy.

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