If you’ve been sitting through this month of rain dreaming of a trip to a beautiful, warm island, you’re not alone. We love Jersey, but during periods of bad weather like this, the call of Madeira is oh so strong!
As nice as it would be to hop on a flight (direct if it’s been a good year, Ryanair if we over-order the cod at Christmas) and spend some time on the other Island we call home, circumstances don’t always allow it.
So to give us a well-needed taste of Madeira, we’ve been tucking into the delicacies that really remind us of home. Here’s what we recommend for a tasty midweek foodie trip to Madeira.
Coral Lager and Coral Stout
The first thing I do after getting off the plane in Madeira is crack open a cold Coral.
Coral is to Madeira what Guinness is to Ireland. The famously crisp lager - and increasingly popular stout - are brewed by The Madeira Brewery, which was founded on the island about 150 years ago.
We import all our Coral beer directly from the source, so it tastes just as good as that first holiday beer!
Coral Lager - 24 Bottles - 330ml - https://www.divino.je/coral-beer-6pack-4x6x33cl
Coral Stout - 24 Bottles - 330ml each - https://www.divino.je/coral-beer-tonica-dark-24x33cl
Feeling adventurous? Grill some Lapas
Shellfish bar snacks aren’t for everyone, but if you’re into seafood, a cold Coral and bowl of butter-laden Lapas is a match made in Madeiran heaven!
Lapas are limpets, although the ones we import are bigger and juicier than the ones you see clinging to rocks at Green Island.
Traditionally they are grilled with garlic and butter, and served in the shell. We recommend you do the same if you want the authentic mid-week Madeiran experience.
Poncha? On a Wednesday?
Poncha is Portuguese for punch. And in Madeira, people don’t mess about with their Poncha. Each bar and restaurant will make it differently, but you can be sure it’ll pack it a real punch. If you want to make your own, make sure you’ve got a clear morning the next day, then check out our range of Ponchas!
A few our favourites are listed below:
https://www.divino.je/poncha-jfaria-6x70cl-25
https://www.divino.je/poncha-tangerina-jf-12x20cl-25
Poncha Passion Fruit J.Faria 20cl
Choose your chuoriço carefully
No Madeiran snack spread is complete without a sausage! Chouriço is so popular in the island that pretty much every flavour combination has been explored. Typically, you’ll find spicy, extra spicy, lightly smoked, heavily smoked, black chouriç or, for the proper carnivores out there, extra meaty.
Unlike Spanish chorizo, which is cured, Portuguese chouriço is smoked and ready to eat. I’ve never been able to settle on my favourite chouriço flavour, so I decided to import them all!
Check out our range of rigorously selected sausage here.
Cheese? We do that too!
Meat and cheese boards aren’t typical in Madeira, but they’re a damn tasty way to spend a weekday evening. The Paiva cheeses we import are some of the most popular in Madeira and Portugal. Expect a light, creamy and nutty flavour that won’t make your eyes water every time you open the fridge.
Start here: https://www.divino.je/paiva-amanteigado-curado-6x500gr
End here: https://www.divino.je/paiva-queijo-cabra-curado-6x500gr