The "Best of the Year Hamper" has become an eagerly awaited seasonal update to the hamper range for our many returning customers. This is most certainly the hamper for the foodie with a sense of discovery, who is also an adventurous cook in the kitchen. Most of the contents are from the cream of new introductions across 2016, while others are existing products from producers who are really on top of their game right now.

2014 saw functional foods come centre stage as they deliver equally on nutrition, taste and naturalness. 2015 was characterised by exciting new products emerging from all areas of the country (and not just the traditional "food" regions). 2016 is surely the year that foraged foods made their way into our kitchen cupboards!

The contents of the 2016 Best of the Year Hamper are a "ying and yang" combination - partly a wonderful selection of wellness foods, many with a nod to our local hedgerows and sea, that will really satisfy you; and partly a selection of very delicious treats for your pure pleasure from around the country.

The contents are:

Wild Atlantic Way Products Wild Seaweed Tea (Bladderwrack & Mint), West Cork

Kilbeggan Oat Bread Mix, Westmeath

Wicked Wholefoods Granola, Clare

The Laughing Oyster Seaweed Sprinkle, West Cork

Green Saffron Vintage Basmati Rice, East Cork (we just had to include it, it is so special)

Wild Irish Foragers Rosehip Syrup, Offaly

Wild Irish Foragers Blackberry Shrub, Offaly

Brambleberry Jam, Down

Brambleberry Chutney, Down

Gran Grans Chimichurri Sauce, Galway

America Village Tonic Syrup, Galway

The Apple Farm Cider Vinegar, Tipperary

PaPas Minerals Clove Cordial, Down

Keoghs Limited Edition Chorizo & Tomato Crisps, Dublin

Lismore Food Company Caraway & Irish Seaweed Crackers, Waterford

Mella's Salted Caramel Fudge, West Cork

The Organic Chocolate Company 70% Bar, East Cork

Seymours Chocolate & Raspberry Shortbread Bites, West Cork

Usual note on small producer products: There may be variation in particular flavours depending on availability due to producer capacity during peak demand periods.