The origin of the word April is from the Latin verb aperire, “to open”, in reference to trees and flowers beginning to “open” or bloom.

These days April also marks the abundant blooming of a whole range of food festivals across the country. A great foodie day out, these festivals are a chance to discover new, unusual or local suppliers across a myriad of different themes. Here are just two of our favourites:

London Coffee Festival from 7- 10 April

Feed your coffee addiction with a visit to The Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch where you can find hand-crafted coffee producers, coffee-based cocktails or an interactive coffee-pairing menu. At Arden’s we take our coffee obsession so seriously we couldn’t resist suggesting our own coffee pairing menu:

‘The morning reviver’ – good strong capsule coffee with a just-warmed Petites Figgy Pastry Roll – if that doesn’t wake you up, nothing will!

‘An instant milky’ – served in your favourite mug with a Petites All Butter Heart daintily dunked! 

‘Post-pudding put down’ – yes, your best coffee in your poshest china for a supper with friends and you’ll be putting it down to make room for the Petites Florentine Clusters!

Artisan Cheese Festival at Melton Mowbray from 30 April to 1 May

Then, as ardent Arden’s followers will know, cheese is very close to our hearts. If we’re not adding cheese to our super savoury snacks, like our Cheese Twists, Mature Cheddar and Spring Onion Bites and Cream Cheese and Spring Onion Melts we’re creating recipes to help you eat more cheese! 

Recipes like Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Skewers or Rosemary and Garlic Baked Camembert.

But while we like to bring a little continental cheese gorgeousness to the party, you can’t afford to miss the very British Artisan Cheese Festival at Melton Mowbray from 30 April to 1 May.

Over 50 cheesemakers will display their British blues, Bries, Stiltons and Cheddars accompanied by masterclasses in the cheese theatre, entertainment craft beers and, of course, some Melton Mowbray pork pies.

So there you have it – April is ‘open’ in all its cheesy, caffeine-fuelled festival glory!