We had our field trip today! We all hopped on a big tourbus and meandered through the Cork countryside checking out various artisan producers. We started at a Farmer's Market outside of Cork and had a chance to walk around and speak with vendors. I think my favorite stall was a gourmet chocolate stand (though sadly they didn't do "bean to bar"). I got a hot chocolate that had a mix of white and dark chocolate with hazelnut. It tasted just like Nutella! :D
The highlight of today was visiting the Gubbeen farm, a famous 4th or 5th generation cheese and cured meat producer in West Cork near Schull. We got to learn about all of their processes in creating their noteworthy "Gubbeen Cheese" (which is either smoked or semi-hard), as well as their various salamis, chorizos, and rashers (or bacon). Touring their farm today has gotten me really interested in the art smoking. Another really intriguing endeavor that one of the sons, Fingal, is pursuing is knife making! Here's one particularly beautiful knife he made that had a pine cone set in resin as a handle! Fingal is really inspiring!
After Gubbeen, we headed to Timoleague to the site of possibly the most famous Irish fish smoker in the world called Ummera Smokehouse. We didn't stay for too long because our group was too big for a tour of the small facility, but we did get a chance to try some of the cold-smoked salmon. WOW!! It was absolutely delicious! They also make a hot-smoked chicken (which means it's also cooked in the process), which was also scrumptious!
MATTHEW FINALLY MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D I was so happy to finally get a chance to see him after waiting all day knowing he was in Ireland. I can't wait to share my experience with him here. It's going to be so special! I can't believe tomorrow's already Friday.
Love,
Livvy
Love,
Livvy