Category Archives: Products

The magnificent Crane Melon

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I’m lucky enough to be spending a couple of months in Sonoma County, California – a mecca of food, drink and scenery. What’s more, it’s harvest time here, which gives me the opportunity to sample many local delights – from sumptuous fruit to fresh dairy produce to palate-burstingly delicious wines. It’s a hard life!

 

One of the most wonderful of these discoveries has been the Crane Melon. I’d heard a lot of good things, but although I’ve been here several times before, it’s never been in season during my stay. Last week I finally managed to eat one. Everything they say is true! Sure, it’s full of flavour and freshness, but what really got me is how refreshing the fruit is. Also, you can eat a lot (!) and feel all the better for it.

 

If you’re ever in Sonoma County, make sure you get your hands on one. You’ll find them at the Crane Melon Barn on Petaluma Hill Road.

 

Happy eating!

Crane Melon: a true heirloom

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As this article in the Los Angeles Times illustrates, if you’re in Sonoma County this month, get yourself down to the Crane Melon Barn and grab a true heirloom melon.

To find out what the term ‘heirloom’ really means, read on:

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/26/food/la-fo-marketwatch-20110826

 

 

 

Rooms with no keys

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This is a great idea, if the technology works. Hotels are encouraging guests to do away with their keys and use mobile devices to check into their rooms. I’m all in favour of anything that eliminates the need to stand in check-in queues whilst suffering jetlag. It’s a constructive concept.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304778304576373773065546978.html

Back to the Old Skool!

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The Wall Street Journal looks at some long-standing brands that have developed packaging designs and product identities that hail back to their roots. In these days of computer wizardry and over-complicated technology, these brands have found solace by retracing their steps, digging out their former lives, and remaining true to the visual cues that made them great.

This is something that UK-centric brands have been doing for a while, of course. Our more ethically-responsible and artisanal products have long since developed identities that hark back to be a honest, authentic era. And from a creative standpoint, I’m a big fan.

 

New, improved products – that look very old