Hadley’s Dairy Products

Producer: Hadley’s Dairy Products, Colchester
Product: Lemon Curd Ice Cream
Region: Eastern England
Category: From the Dairy (Artisan)

What they do
In 2001 Jane Hadley began making ice cream to add value to the milk from the family’s herd of pedigree Holstein cows. Part of the ancient Colne Park Estate in Essex, Jane’s family have farmed at Home Farm, Colne Engaine, since 1953, and she believes “the best things remain unchanged”. 

However, in what Jane calls “a rather exciting move for a farm secretary with two very young children”, the small artisan ice cream business has become an integral part of the farm over the last 15 years. Funded by a Chadacre Agricultural Bursary, Jane took an ice cream making course at Reading University, and as a self-described ‘kitchen cook’ took inspiration from food magazines and cookbooks to create her range.

Hadley’s ice creams and sorbets are made my hand, using quality ingredients from artisan producers who share Jane’s ethos, including Bean to Bar chocolate from Pump Street Bakery and free-range eggs from Elmsett Game Farm, both in Suffolk. This is a principle Jane has refused to compromise on, even if it’s not cost-effective. 

“With the help of my three local part-time ladies”, Jane says, “we crack, whisk, whip, chop, toast, zest, juice, squeeze, puree and infuse the ingredients needed before we finally fill the pots and pop them in the freezer.” 

What the judges said
The Eastern England judges were pleased to put this “good presentation of a craft product” on the delicious. Produce Awards shortlist. They commended their work with the local community and careful ingredient sourcing. 

Visit the website:  handmadebyhadleys.co.uk