A Royal Botanical Pantry from Odysea partnering with the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
Odysea are proud to share their first collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kew Gardens is famous for its unique and diverse collections. Odysea’s dedication to biodiversity, heritage and sourcing quality ingredients is showcased in this landmark collaboration which features 14 limited edition fruit compotes, honeys, oils and antipasti which will be available at Kew Gardens’ gift shop and online.
Kew is one of the few retailers able to work with Odysea’s commitment to hyper seasonal produce. Pressed heirloom tomatoes will only be available late summer to September, for example, and each honey has its moment too: Spring blossom honey is harvested from March to June; Orange blossom honey is harvested in May from hives placed in citrus orchards close to the ancient archaeological site Mycenae; whilst oak tree honey is harvested in July from oak forest hives by Mt Olympus. Each batch of limited-edition seasonal honey will be produced in numbered jars, and once they’re gone — they’re gone!
Kew’s wild flower meadow and immersive Hive installation are a visual tribute to Britain’s honey bees. Odysea’s artisan beekeeper, Alexandros Gousiaris, follows his bees from oak forests to citrus orchards in the winter to create floral honeys infused with thyme, orange blossom and oak pollen, which feed into the subtle taste of each honey.
Their olive farmers protect their local biodiversity, climate, water quality and soil fertility with traditional farming methods, all of which are paramount to RBG Kew’s shared mission to protect biodiversity loss. Our limited-edition KEW Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil is harvested just before the olives ripen — between 25th October and 11th November to be exact. This early harvest locks in a high polyphenol content, which contributes to the oil’s unique, peppery taste. Perfect drizzled over fresh tomatoes, grilled vegetables or a summer salad, and you can even take a daily dose of 1.5tbsp to regularly benefit from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar and Apple Balsamic Vinegar are another exciting addition to the condiment collection. The juice from Golden and Red Delicious apples is matured for four to five years in oak barrels to create a sweet and fruity vinegar for a light salad dressing, to caramelise grilled meats, or even enjoy a teaspoon in hot water for its probiotic effects. Pomegranate juice is aged for one year to create a distinctive ruby red vinegar, which can be used much like red wine or sherry vinegar.
Odysea have created a new Pomegranate Harissa for the collection, which infuses our signature smoky chilli and red pepper meze with the ruby red sweetness of pomegranate. Swirl it through hummus, spread it on grilled white fish, or enjoy as part of a meze with warm pitta breads and KEW Green Conservolia or Alexandria Style Olives and KEW Olive Tapenades.
Wild Fig Compote and Morello Cherry Compote are inspired by the Greek custom of spoon sweets. Made when fresh fruit is in abundance and preserved for the colder months, guests are traditionally offered a spoon of compote with a cup of coffee in a true gesture of hospitality and connection through food. Try a dollop of these compotes in thick Greek yoghurt, serve with pancakes, ice cream, or add it to your favourite fruit cheesecake recipe.
Kew’s iconic hand-drawn botanical art adorn each limited edition Odysea product, illustrating raw ingredients, wild butterflies and flowers. There’s no shortage of Greek connections at Kew; the Temple of Aeolus sits at the crest of a mound in the Woodland Garden at Kew, surrounded by oak, lime and birch trees. First built in wood during the 1760s, and later rebuilt in stone in 1845, the elegant temple is dedicated to Aeolus, the ruler of the winds in Greek mythology.
Sharing such core values of biodiversity, quality and tradition, Odysea and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew are delighted to share the fruits of their collaboration and create a delicious feast this summer.
Kew Gardens by Odysea
Available at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst gift shops from June 2023, and online at https://www.shop.kew.org
Kew Gardens Honey
KEW Greek Limited edition Greek Orange Blossom Raw Honey, 390g, £12.50*
KEW Greek Limited edition Greek Spring Blossom Raw Honey, 390g, £12.50*
KEW Greek Limited edition Greek Oak Raw Honey, 390g, £12.50*
Kew Gardens Olives and Olive Tapenades
KEW Organic Green Olive Tapenade, 230g, £5
KEW Kalamata Olive Tapenade, 240g, £4
KEW Pitted Green Conservolia Olives with Lemon and Garlic in EVOO, 235g, £6
KEW Alexandria Style Pitted Olives, 235g, £6
Kew Gardens Balsamic Vinegars
KEW Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar, 250ml, £12
KEW Apple Balsamic Vinegar, 250ml, £18
KEW Gardens Extra Virgin Olive Oil
KEW Limited Edition Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml, £17
KEW Gardens Compotes
KEW Morello Cherry Compote, 350g, £8.50
KEW Wild Fig Compote, 350g, £8.50
KEW Gardens Harissa and Tomatoes
KEW Pomegranate Harissa, 250g, £5
KEW Organic Pressed Heirloom Tomatoes, 300g, £5.50
*Seasonal produce. Tomatoes available late summer/September.
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