Last Saturday March 30, the spring 2019 edition of the traditional tasting days at the Comptoir gourmand du Centro took place.
The day was a success and many people were able to meet the six producers who came especially for the occasion. They were thus able to present, and above all taste, the fruit of their passion.
It is, in fact, passion that we are talking about when we talk with them. They are proud of their products and rightly so because the results are simply amazing.
Below I present to you the artisans present. If you were unable to be with us, you will get to know them a little and, if you were with us, it will bring back pleasant memories. I am convinced of it.
La Saffronière des Cantons
Sylvie Bernatchez from Safranière des Cantons presented us with the saffron that she has been growing for several years at Stanbridge Station. She also took the opportunity to inform people about how to ensure that the saffron they buy is not counterfeit. Indeed, the high cost of this spice leads to its share of counterfeiters.
Sylvie also produces excellent paprika in “sweet” and “royal” versions.
Why buy imported spices when local producers offer such tasty ones?
Domaine La Josiane
Diane Levasseur of Domaine La Josiane in St-Rémi-de-Tingwick produces succulent maple wines. For many visitors, it was their first tasting of this increasingly popular type of product.
Diane and her partner produce two versions of this wine: a semi-sweet and a semi-dry. So, whatever your preferences, you will be satisfied.
The producer also presented her other range of products featuring maple syrup: a marinade, a sauce and two vinaigrettes. What good products.
Millebois
I mentioned that maple-based drinks are becoming more and more popular. Michaël Parent of Millebois , a company located in Compton, also specializes in this area. However, its products, while equally delicious, are totally different. How interesting to see that the personality and creativity of each artisan shines through in their products.
Michaël presented us with three versions of maple drinks: a dry white, a sweeter amber and a sparkling champagne method. Could you choose?
In addition to his excellent drinks, Michaël had a surprise in store for visitors. He offered an exquisite maple syrup matured in bourbon barrels for tasting. A surprising syrup with flavors combining butterscotch and banana cake, with woody, biscuit and vanilla accents.
At the Goose Lodge
Linda Lazure is the owner of Au Gîte des oies. She came to introduce us to and taste her goose terrines and rillettes as well as a sublime duck foie gras mousse with Armagnac.
Passionate about her birds, she takes pleasure in introducing them to the visitors she hosts in her B&B in Roxton Falls, because -- yes -- she is also an innkeeper. So if you are passing through the region and looking for a cozy nest, this is the perfect place.
The Gourmet Factory
Isabelle Magny from La Fabrique gourmande braved the bad weather that morning to come from St-Narcisse to present her products. Having trained in dietetics, Isabelle is keen to use only good ingredients, organic and local as much as possible, for her crackers, biscuits, bars and granolas.
You absolutely have to taste them! Yum!
The Sugar Tree
Finally, Mélanie Leclerc from L'Arbre à Sucre, a company located in St-Hyacynthe, offered us her delicious maple chocolates that Saturday.
With Easter approaching, it was the perfect opportunity to discover these treats made with organic and fair trade chocolate and topped with butter or maple moss. During the day, Mélanie, who was accompanied by her daughter for the occasion, allowed many people to have a sweet tooth.
In closing, I would like to thank all the producers present that day. Without them, the event could not have taken place. Without their enthusiasm and good humor, it would never have been as pleasant.
Finally, I want to reassure readers. If you were unable to obtain these delights on March 30, please note that they are all available in store at the Comptoir gourmand du Centro (now Gourmande boutique ) and, for many, also on our online store .