Ark of Taste

The Ark of Taste travels the world collecting small-scale quality productions that belong to the cultures, history and traditions of the entire planet: an extraordinary heritage of fruits, vegetables, animal breeds, cheeses, breads, sweets and cured meats”¦

The Ark was created to point out the existence of these products, draw attention to the risk of their extinction within a few generations, invite everyone to take action to help protect them. In some cases this might be by buying and consuming them, in some by telling their story and supporting their producers, and in others, such as the case of endangered wild species, this might mean eating less or none of them in order to preserve them and favor their reproduction.

What is the Foundation?
Created by Slow Food International and Slow Food Italy, the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity is the operational body for the protection of food biodiversity.

Inaugurated in Florence in 2003 with contribution from the Tuscany Regional Authority, it coordinates and promotes Slow Food's projects to protect food biodiversity across the world: Presidia, Ark of Taste, gardens in Africa, Slow Food Chefs' Alliance and Earth Markets.
The Slow Food Foundation has its own statute, budget, Board of Directors, and operational office. Every year it publishes the Social Report, which provides a detailed outline of the activities carried out, as well as the source and use of funds.

Active in over 100 countries, the Foundation involves thousands of small-scale producers in its projects, providing technical assistance, training, producer exchanges and communication.
Furthermore, it provides technical tools for various projects (guidelines, production protocols, manuals, etc.), explores the themes related to these projects (sustainable agriculture, raw milk, small-scale fishing, animal welfare, seeds, GMOs, etc.), and communicates ideas and activities related to biodiversity through Slow Food's training and communication activities.

The Foundation's projects are tools to promote a model of agriculture that is based on local biodiversity and respect for the land and the local culture, is in harmony with the environment and aims to provide food sovereignty and access to good, clean and fair food for all communities.

Wendy Barrie writes:-

As you know I am Leader for the Slow Food Ark of Taste in Scotland and there has been a great deal of interest from chefs – what is on the list, how available it is and where to source it.

Whilst the Slow Food sites give you a great deal of info they do not necessarily give you a contact number – now I do!

http://www.scottishfoodguide.scot/Suppliers?type=12

I have spent the last few weekends writing a web page to tell you what you need to know with an active Enquiry Button for every Ark product – some of course are unavailable due to rarity but all have a name that can hopefully direct you if you wish further information, and some have direct links. It gives you all you need in one click!

All Ark products have their link to the International Slow Food website and this will be updated as soon as the next batch are approved”¦currently going through boarding are 3 apple varieties, 2 cured Ling, bere beer, and Hill Bred Highland Cattle (just to whet your appetite!)

Black Pudding

Essentially a blood pudding, the ordinary folk of Scotland thrived on this healthy cheap food. Over the years it became industrialised and although still popular it is not what it once was – dried foreign blood imports are now used and few originals remain. 

The traditional method requires fresh blood from the animals at slaughter and this becomes a critical issue if the beasts have to be slaughtered some distance from the butcher/charcuterie/curer. Black pudding has a deep rich flavour with a texture of oatmeal/local grain running through.

There are currently 2 Scottish butchers we know of …
John Lawson Butchers, West Lothian (see contact details & link)
Tullochs of Paisley 0141 884 6321

http://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/original-fresh-blood-black-pudding/