A NEW product based on Droitwich’s brine heritage will be unveiled at the town’s annual meeting and mayor making next Monday (May 15).
‘Droitwich Salted Fudge’, which has been produced using salt from Droitwich’s very own brine supply at Tower Hill, will be launched at the event.
It has been extracted from Tower Hill since ancient times with the brine containing two-and-a-half pounds of salt per gallon – ten times stronger than sea water and only rivalled by the Dead Sea.
With the Droitwich brine being confirmed as being safe for human consumption a variety of salt products have been planned and the salted caramel fudge, made locally by the Wychbold Fudge Company is the first off the production line.
Patrick Davis – the organiser of the town’s Food and Drink Festival – has been leading the project for the Brine Heritage Group.
He will give a short presentation on Monday about the fudge and about other salt products planned for later in the year.
After that, gift bags containing the fudge will be presented to councillors and there will be samples for the public to try.
Patrick told The Standard: “It’s super news – it has seemed to have taken ages to get to this stage and, after a lot of hard work, we can now unveil our first product using Droitwich brine.”
Patrick got to know Justin Bowen from Wychbold Fudge through the food festival and he said it was great there was a local producer of such high quality to make the confectionery.
“It’s really nice – it has a really buttery taste to start with and then you get the salty kick afterwards,” added Patrick.
Justin added: “I set up Wychbold Fudge three years ago and to have Droitwich salt that we are now going to be able to use is fantastic.
“The Salted Fudge is a product that is unique to Droitwich and we are very excited about it.
“We cannot wait to put it to the public so they can have their very own salted fudge from their town.”
Bob Brookes from the Droitwich Salt Company, who has been supporting Patrick, said: “This is a culmination of more than three years work – it was 2013 when we started and we are now going to see the resumption of salt production for the first time in almost 100 years.
“I would like to thank Cliff Billings, the professional chemist and quality management practitioner, who came forward and put together the ten-page report on the salt.
“His work epitomises Droitwich and the way people will come forward for the good of the town when it is needed.”
At Monday’s meeting, which starts at 6pm in the Droitwich Community Hall, Heritage Way, a new mayor and deputy mayor will be elected and the make up of the committees and representatives for outside organisations will be decided.
After that business has been dealt with, the attention will turn to the new Droitwich Salted Fudge.
As reported previously in The Standard, Droitwich Food and Drink Festival, due to take place in the Lido Park on June 17, will be officially opened by TV chef Brian Turner.
