Date:  13/12/2011 Pie:  Riverford Farm Organic Mince Pies Cost:  £4.95 Score: 56.1% A very interesting pie today. Another of the 'flat' design, but this had a very home made feel. This pie also survived the post, and there are not may pies that can do that (Mr Kipling). Not a fussy pie, simple, no clever design or steam hole. Just a perfect coating of granulate sugar. For a 'flat' pie it's a good weight, here hoping for loads of lovely filling... The Aroma is very pleasant and slightly different from the other pies. First impressions were good, light pastry with a slight crunch. Though flat pies tend to have less filling, this pie did not disappoint, it was literally stuffed full. The filling was also good with both texture and fruity. In summary a lovely Mince Pie, with such a home made look and taste, that you have to wonder if Riverford Farm Shop have a bunch of grannies locked up in a Sweat Shop making Mince Pies all day!

“A mediocre pie ruined by the addition of almond slivers. Very crumbly pastry, but this could be due to the beating it obviously had before reaching by plate.”

“Basically an overweight Garribaldi. Fortunately I like Garribaldi's, but still a farily pitiful effort of a mince pie. Lets start on the postives, good pastry. Unfortunately negatives were: Looked like it had been made by a 5-year-old; Large sugar granules covering the top and Dry raisin filled middle. No idea where this is from, possibly a local bakery? ”

“Distinctly average in all areas. Leave this one for the mother in law.”

“I liked it, but it tasted more like a shortbread than a mince pie! Also seemed to melt in the hand, a bit more structure and some more flavoursome fruit would have made this pie a winner.”

“It seems these were delivered to the test studio in a wrapped parcel by courier - so my marks have to take that into account. Nevertheless, this low loader slim pie was a shambles visually - a messy, grubby looking thing with no design, an ill-defined ragged edging with a bit of escaping filling, and the lid covered with loads of coarse sugar granules mixed with pastry crumbs. So by far the worst pie the world has ever seen - but umm... it does smell quite buttery with a hint of filling. So let's take that first bite - and yes, it's definitely a lot better tasting than looks would suggest. The pastry is sort of buttery, of the moister kind but it does fracture and crumble making a fair mess, and I get the feeling it will soon go stale like homemade ones - not necessarily a bad thing if it means a lack of nasty additives or preservatives. The filling seems quite well textured with variety of ingredients and hints of spices. Overall, not a bad taste combo. I would say it is from some bespoke cottage industry manned by earth mothers and the brainchild of people with beards and sandals. A triumph of substance over style? ”

“Literally fell completely apart - most ended up on my desk. Of the parts I did manage to eat it was only really pastry that could be tasted. Usually a frisbee pie fan...”

“Oh dear. I fear the mean reviewers are going to attack these for the cheesey smell of the pastry. I'm guessing there was a lot of butter in it and few preservatives, so it's gone a little rancid. What a shame as I'd love to recommend it for the rich filling and good texture of the pastry. From an independent bakery?”

“Pastry was interesting, but left my desk covered in crumbs. not a big fan of the filling - i think it had nuts in it, but too thick and not fruity enough. Is it a home made pie? ”

“The good, the bad and the ugly all in one pie. Will not appear on the mince pie catwalk, but has some decent traits. Definitely one to enjoy blindfolded!”

“The pastry is very short, and from the smell, possibly a suet/animal fat used instead of butter. The mince was mushy and poor, and I couldn't finish the pie. I really didn't like it. Sorry.”

“Very moist delicious butter pastry .. tasted lovely .”

Packaging Description
Riverford Farm Shop
Riverford Organic Mince Pies