Charlie & Ivy's Balsamic Bread Dipper: Back for Good!

You know that feeling, right? You find a new snack or a flavour you absolutely fall in love with. It's a 'limited edition', so you tell yourself you'll savour it. But life happens, and before you know it, it's gone from the shelves forever. It's a tiny heartbreak.

Well, if you were one of the many who fell head over heels for a particular zesty, herby dip back in February 2024, I’ve got some brilliant news. The team at Charlie & Ivy's, a fantastic artisan producer from up in North Yorkshire, heard the collective sigh of sadness when their special creation disappeared. And they’ve decided to do something about it. They're bringing it back, not just for a little while, but for good. This is not a drill.

That one flavour you couldn't forget

Let's talk about the star of the show. It's the Lemon, Garlic, Thyme & Balsamic Bread Dipper. Quite a mouthful to say, but an even better one to taste. This particular dipper first appeared as a limited edition earlier this year and, honestly, people went a bit mad for it. It flew off the shelves, and when it was gone, it was properly missed. So, the clever folks at Charlie & Ivy's have officially relaunched it, making it a permanent part of their incredible line-up.

So why all the fuss? Imagine this: you get that bright, sharp hit of lemon and zesty citrus, followed by a punchy, savoury wave of garlic. Just when you think you have it figured out, some lovely, earthy herbs come through, and it all finishes with a gentle, sweet tang from some proper good balsamic vinegar. It’s a bit of a flavour journey in one little dip. It's one of those things that’s so much more than the sum of its parts. It joins an already brilliant family of products from the company, who are masters of creating delicious dippers, dressings, marinades, and even their own special mayonnaise.

Adam Palmer's top tips for your dipper

It’s one thing for me to waffle on about how good it is, but what about the person who actually helped create it? We got the inside scoop from Adam Palmer, one of the co-founders of Charlie & Ivy's. He’s obviously pretty chuffed that this popular bread dipper is making a comeback.

"This versatile dipper is great for sharing platters, British tapas and perfect for alfresco dining and posh picnics. It's delicious served simply with warm, crusty bread, and can also be used to drizzle over salads, pasta or pizza, and makes an amazing base for roasted vegetables."

Let’s unpack that a bit, shall we? He's not wrong. The most obvious, and arguably best, way to enjoy these kinds of Bread Dippers is with a massive chunk of warm, crusty bread. You know the kind, the one that makes a mess but you just don’t care. But Adam’s right, it's way more versatile than that. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• British Tapas Night: Forget waiting for a holiday. Think mini cocktail sausages, cubes of grilled halloumi, or even just some posh crisps. A little bowl of this balsamic and garlic dipper in the middle of the table, and you’ve got yourself a winner.
• Posh Picnics & Alfresco Dining: This is practically sunshine in a bottle. It’s the perfect thing to pack for a day out. Drizzle it over a tomato salad, use it as a dip for sausage rolls, or just have it with breadsticks while you soak up the sun. It's the ultimate upgrade for any outdoor meal.
• The Easiest Marinade Ever: Got some chicken or fish? Pour some of this over it, let it sit for half an hour, then chuck it in the oven or on the grill. The lemon and herbs will work their magic, creating a delicious meal with zero effort. It’s one of the simplest marinades you could ask for.
• Pasta and Pizza Power-Up: A boring bowl of pasta can be transformed with a quick drizzle. Same for a pizza straight out of the oven. That hit of freshness from the lemon and depth from the balsamic vinegar is just perfection.

From a Yorkshire farm to your table

What makes Charlie & Ivy's stuff so special isn't just the clever flavour combinations. It’s where it comes from. This isn't some massive, faceless corporation. They are a true artisan producer based on a farm in a little place called Thixendale in North Yorkshire. The whole operation is rooted in their family business and parent company, Breckenholme, which has been farming the land for generations. You can taste that care and attention in everything they make, from their classic dressings to this fantastic new (but not so new) dipper.

The base of almost everything they create is their own award-winning, cold-pressed rapeseed oil. And that makes a huge difference. Which brings us to a very important question…

What on earth is cold-pressed oil?

Okay, it sounds a bit technical, but it’s actually really simple. Think of it like this: you can get orange juice from concentrate, or you can squeeze it fresh from an orange. One tastes okay, the other tastes amazing. Cold-pressed oil is the freshly squeezed version. The team at Breckenholme gently squeezes the rapeseed to get the oil out, without using lots of heat or chemicals. This gentle process means the oil keeps its natural, nutty flavour and all of its goodness. It's the absolute best base you could wish for, and it's what makes their Bread Dippers, including the famous Lemon, Garlic, Thyme & Balsamic one, so incredibly rich and flavourful. It’s the secret sauce, if you will, that elevates everything from their mayonnaise to their incredible dressings. So, the next time you're planning some alfresco dining or a night in with some British tapas, you know what to reach for. This is more than just a dip; it's a little taste of the Yorkshire countryside, and it's now a permanent fixture in the foodie world. Thank goodness for that.