Shop Watch with Rose Lloyd

Don’t you wish that someone would let you know where to find some of the best products that are around at the moment? Not only ingredients but other great products in our stores, garden plants that are not only cheap but of fabulous quality; kitchen utensils that are indispensable; cookware that is chosen for its performance; packaging that is unique.

My column is a very personal look at what I think are the best things around and may be very eccentric. But it is my little black book of things I would recommend to friends. My Shop Watch.

December 2015

Sant’Eustachio Chocolate Coffee Beans
Marks & Spencer

What?
Sant’Eustachio chocolate-coated coffee beans

Why?
The perfect foodie stocking present.

These chocolate-coated coffee beans come from the most famous coffee place in Rome. Famous amongst Romans that is. You can forget all the new fangled pretentiousness about coffee when this place has been going since 1938. Walking in you can hear the orders pouring in: “ristretto”, “caffe lungo”, “caffe macchiato”, “cappuccino senza schiuma” (without foam). The Romans go here on their way to work for a coffee and a “cornetto” (Roman croissant). It is situated in front of the Senate and not far from Piazza Navona, and the tiles on the floor are the original ones from the thirties.

This legendary café has based its reputation on serving the best quality coffee. The current owners, the brothers Ricci, use the finest Arabic coffee beans, and the mix remains a closely guarded secret. The aroma and taste of the coffee comes from the freshness and quality of the beans. They also have a policy of responsible buying.

Now Marks & Spencer, in the world foods section, are selling the coffee itself as well as this perfect Christmas gift of chocolate beans. The retro packaging is like a mini handbag with the emblem of Saint Eustace. When you open the box each chocolate bean comes individually wrapped to keep them in perfect condition. They are the thing to serve with coffee at the end of a dinner party. In fact, come to think about it, you don’t even need the coffee.

Conclusion:
One Christmas present sorted.

Product Details:
Sant’Eustachio chocolate-coated coffee beans
£4

Contact:
Marks & Spencer (world foods section)
Customer Service: 0333 014 8555
Check stock is available before visiting your local store, to avoid a wasted journey.

Rose Lloyd, an accomplished cookery writer and friend of our website, has agreed to be out and about on our behalf and then inform us what are really good quality items to go for. This means a great deal to me personally as over the years I have witnessed some truly wonderful ingredients that get delisted because not enough people know about them. Smaller suppliers are often ousted by the big guys who have the marketing match clout but often inferior products.