Wyken Market: Where to Find Raw Milk (and Other Country Pleasures) in Suffolk

I had been having a serious craving all week for raw cream.  Maybe it was all of the ice cream I'd been making (recipes coming soon, I promise!) or just that extra richness winter makes us long for.  In any case, I knew where to find it.  There are not a lot of places to buy raw dairy products here, but they are available, high-quality, and affordable if you know where to find them.  The first time we bought raw milk here, it was almost by accident-- we found a raw milk stand on a country drive-- but they don't sell cream.  We had visited a farmer's market once, on a rainy day, and found a woman selling raw jersey cream.  That was what we needed on Saturday, so we went to Wyken Vineyard's Saturday market.  It's smaller than our market in Bury St. Edmunds, but the vendors are more specialized, and the property is just beautiful, so it's a great way to see something beautiful, do something interesting, and take care of a weekly shopping trip.


The vendors set up shop in an old stable.  So charming, right?  I love that the gentleman below on the right is just reading by lamplight as he waits for customers.


And here is the vendor we were looking for-- The Domini Dairy.  All of the whole milk was spoken for (I am glad to hear that there is a high demand for it!) but there was plenty of double cream for me.  I bought three pints.

I also picked up some local apple juice.  This variety tasted a lot like pears, and had a really pleasant tartness.  I already put it into carboy, with my own wild cider culture (the one I used to make a wild blackberry cider with in the fall.)

And this, my friends, may prove to be the most wonderful vendor of all.  I met a gentleman who was selling all kinds of Spanish cured meats-- jamon, morcilla, chorizo, and more.  I chatted with him for a while, tasted everything, bought plenty, and learned that although he is a ferrier by trade, he has a real passion for Spanish meats.  The ones he sells at the market are imported from Spain, but he actually makes his own.  He raises his own rare-breed pigs, butchers them and cures his own meats.

You know, in the last couple of years, I have gotten a lot more gutsy.  I never used to be comfortable asking anyone for anything.  But I have been learning that "when you don't ask, the answer is always no," and trying to be more bold about asking for what I want.  So, friends, I asked him.  I asked if my family and I could go to his barn where he works; if I could watch, learn, participate, take pictures, and share it with you.  And he said yes!  I am beyond excited.  This could happen quite soon, too!

With all of our shopping done,  we put our wonderful wares in our car and walked around the property. 
There was this:

Can you believe it?  Lots of peafowl traipsing across the property, matching the houses.  I loved all of the buildings!  I'm still trying to figure out how I can move my family into one of these...

Back at the main entrance, we did a little shopping.

I love that they carry all of the natural and old-fashioned functional household items.  I bought some natural scrubbing brushes. 
And there was a cozy book corner and a bar with local (very local!) brews to keep Jeff and Amelia happy.

For me, no country outing is really complete until there is some animal interaction. 

That's right-- llamas! And Red Poll cattle, sheep, and horses.

Something I really, really love about the country here is that it's pretty normal for people to be able to hang out with animals.  You can walk into their enclosures and share public lands with them.  We were going to check out the woodland walk to the vineyard, but it was all just deep mud.  Next time!  We were more happy to just be part of the pastoral scene, really.

Oh, England, you spoil me so!

So, now you know where to find raw milk in Suffolk.  Also, total country bliss.  I know that many people have to jump through a lot of hoops to get raw milk.  This is what I have to put up with!  And guess what?  It's going to be lambing season soon! I. Can't. Wait.

Is there anything you love to eat that you have to make an effort to get your hands on?

This post was shared at: Thank Goodness it's Monday, Small Footprint Friday.

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