The journal

Stories from the larder.

Industry news in plain English, buyer’s guides for everyday shopping, long reads from the people behind the food, and pairings worth getting up early for.

All News & policy Farming Food prices Supermarket watch World food Local events Buyer’s guide Producer story Merchant experience Food reviews In the kitchen

How to choose, store and serve the food on the larder. Plain-English guides for everyday shopping.

Buyer’s guide · 8 Apr 2026

How to pick a sourdough that actually keeps

A proper sourdough should still be good five days after it was baked. Here’s how to spot the ones that will, and the ones that won’t.

Read story →

Buyer’s guide · 30 Mar 2026

Reading a cheese label: terms that mean something, and ones that don’t

Eight terms you’ll see on artisan cheese labels and what they actually tell you about what’s in the wax.

Read story →

Buyer’s guide · 20 Feb 2026

A buyer’s guide to British charcuterie

British air-dried meats are now competitive with the best from Italy and Spain. Here’s how to choose, what to ask for, and what to do with what you bring home.

Read story →