This Yorkshire Farm Won A Great Taste Award For Rapeseed Oil Mayonnaise

Ever spotted those little black and gold stickers on food packets in the shops and wondered what they actually mean? Well, they're a bit like a gold medal for flavour, and getting one is a massive deal. The team at a Yorkshire-based rapeseed oil business is celebrating because they've just scooped one of these prestigious awards. The brand, Charlie & Ivy's, impressed the experts with its zesty Chilli & Lime Mayonnaise, proving that great things really do grow on a local farm.

What's all the fuss about?

So, what did they win? Charlie & Ivy's Chilli & Lime Mayonnaise was awarded a gold star in the Great Taste awards. These awards are often called the Oscars of the food and drink world, which gives an idea of how tough the competition is. You can't just buy your way in; your product has to be seriously good.

The judges, who know a thing or two about amazing food, had some brilliant things to say. They praised the mayonnaise for its 'good consistency' - meaning it wasn't too runny or too thick, but just right. They also loved its 'intensity on the palate'. In simple terms, that means it packs a real flavour punch that you notice as soon as you taste it. There's no blandness here! The experts said that 'all named ingredients balance well', which is the secret to any great recipe. It's all about getting that perfect balance, where no single flavour shouts over the others. The chilli and lime work together, not against each other, creating a truly delicious experience. This family food business has clearly perfected its recipe, creating a condiment that got a massive thumbs-up from the judges. They finished by saying, 'paired with the right partner, this product will shine'. And what a fantastic bit of feedback to get!

The secret to success: a blind-tasting challenge

What makes the Great Taste awards so special and trustworthy is the way they are judged. It's not about fancy labels or a cool backstory. It's all down to a blind-tasting process. This means the judges don't see any packaging or know who made the food they're trying. They are simply presented with the product, and their decision is based entirely on its taste, texture, and aroma.

The judging panel is a who's who of the foodie scene, made up of experienced food writers, top chefs, professional buyers for big stores, and other producers. These are people who spend their lives tasting and talking about food, so their opinion really matters. For consumers, this is brilliant news. It means that when a product has a Great Taste logo, it's a genuinely impartial recommendation for something that tastes fantastic.

Charlie & Ivy's co-founder, Adam Palmer, explained why this means so much to their business: "The judging panel is made up of food writers, chefs, producers and buyers who evaluate products through a blind-tasting process, so it's always rewarding to get great feedback from food and drink experts. The Great Taste awards provide consumers with impartial recommendations for great-tasting food and drink." It's this honest feedback that helps small producers stand out in a crowded market.

From a Yorkshire farm to your table

The story behind Charlie & Ivy's is just as good as their award-winning mayonnaise. This isn't some huge, faceless corporation. It's a family business rooted in the Yorkshire Wolds, operating from the Breckenholme farm. The core of their entire range is their very own award-winning cold-pressed rapeseed oil, which they produce right there on the farm.

What's so special about cold-pressed rapeseed oil? Well, 'cold-pressed' means the oil is gently squeezed out of the seeds without using high heat. This method is brilliant because it keeps all the natural, nutty flavour and goodness of the rapeseed. It's a bit like the difference between freshly squeezed orange juice and juice from concentrate - one is just much purer and tastier. This high-quality rapeseed oil provides the creamy, smooth base for their Chilli & Lime Mayonnaise and gives it that fantastic consistency the judges loved.

And this isn't their first rodeo. Thanks to their consistent success in previous Great Taste awards, Charlie & Ivy's is an accredited Great Taste Producer. This is a special status given to businesses that have a proven track record of creating exceptional food. It allows them to use the well-respected logo in their marketing, signalling to everyone that they're a brand you can trust for quality and, of course, a truly great taste.

More than just mayo: what else do they make?

While the Chilli & Lime Mayonnaise is the star of the show today, it's just one part of a delicious lineup. The Charlie & Ivy's range is full of tasty things to liven up any meal, all made with that same fantastic cold-pressed rapeseed oil from the Breckenholme farm. Their full range includes:

• Bread Dippers: Deliciously infused oils perfect for dunking crusty bread into.
• Dressings: To make any salad sing.
• Marinades: The perfect way to add a burst of flavour to meat, fish, or veggies before cooking.

So, how should one enjoy the award-winner? Adam Palmer has a few ideas. "Chilli & Lime Mayonnaise tastes like summer to us," he said. "It's perfect teamed with burgers, tacos and fajitas, and we also use it to make our own salsa." Imagine that zesty, creamy mayo slathered on juicy burgers at a barbecue, or drizzled over spicy fajitas for a cool, fresh kick. It's incredibly versatile. It would be amazing with chicken, brilliant with prawns, or even just as a dip for some chips.

If all this talk of delicious food has made you hungry, the good news is that the Charlie & Ivy's range is widely available. You can find their products in local farm shops, independent delis, and at food festivals up and down the country. It's a wonderful example of a local farm business creating top-tier food that gets national recognition. So next time you see that little gold star, you'll know the story of hard work, quality ingredients, and incredible flavour that went into it.