British Summer, French Finds

Mogette de Vendée PGI: The Plant-Based Power Bean 

These creamy white beans from the Vendée region are a traditional French favourite — and a brilliant base for colourful summer salads. Rinse, toss, season, garnish — et voilà! Packing a punch of plant-based protein and fibre, they contribute to a balanced diet and will definitely become a staple in your pantry all year-round. You can throw in almost anything you have lying around. We like a handful of  French tomatoes, thinly sliced Roscoff onions PDO, and a generous dollop of basil pistou sauce for a bright, effortless lunch. 

🧺 Reflets de France, Mogette de Vendée white beans, £4 

La Crème of Alcohol-Free French Drinks 

Enjoy all the refreshment, none of the hangover. France is a leading purveyor of sophisticated alcohol-free wines and spirits.  

Sober Rum is an award-winning non-alcoholic spirit distilled in the French Alps. It brings herbaceous, citrusy depth to your mocktails. Shake it into a mojito with mint and lime, or simply add tonic and ice for a low-key apéro alternative. 

On the wine front, Domaine La Colombette Born to Be Free is a crisp, floral white with minerality and freshness. Produced by the Pugibet family on their Languedoc estate overlooking the Med, it’s ideal with grilled vegetables or a wedge of fresh goat’s cheese from the Loire Valley. Prefer rosé? Then try Moderato Colombard Rosé Cuvée Révolutionnaire — dry, delicately fruity, and made in Gascony from Colombard grape. It’s textbook summer sipping. 

🧺 Sober Rum, £24.99,  Domaine La Colombette Born to Be Free £6.50, Moderato Colombard Rosé Cuvée Révolutionnaire £14 

A Drizzle of a French Seasonal Olive oil PDO from Nice 

Exceptional olive oil has been produced in the South of France for centuries, just like Nicolas Alziari which started in 1868. We love the Alziari huile d’olive de Nice PDO, Cuvée César PDO, and not only for its gloriously colourful Provencal tin. This extra-virgin olive oil is something quite special, only available seasonally. Cold-extracted in small batches from Cailletier/Niçoise olives (also known in English by the Italian name Taggiasca), it boasts a grassy and almondy flavour. Perfect to finish off vibrant summer recipes — and reasonably priced. 

🧺 Alziari huile d’olive de Nice PDO, Cuvée César PDO, from £9.59 

Kitchenware with French flair 

There are two essentials you should never underestimate: a great versatile knife and anything cast iron made in France. 

A mainstay in French kitchens and backpacks, the Opinel N°08 folding pocket knife is ideal for slicing cheese, saucisson, or apples on the go. Crafted in the French Alps since 1890, its timeless design and beech wood handle make it both practical and beautiful.  

Then meet your new best friend: Le Creuset Cast Iron BBQ Griddle, delivering restaurant-level results. It’s perfect for charring summer veg, making smash burgers or grilling free-range Landes duck breasts PGI. Durable, timeless, and ideal for summer evenings with friends, it is made in the North of France and guaranteed for life. 

🧺 Opinel N°08 folding pocket knife £13, Le Creuset Cast Iron BBQ Griddle £199 

French Linen Tea Towels Everywhere 

Crafted from pure French linen with classic bistro stripes, these delicate towels by Maison Brocante, elevate any outdoor table setting. Sourced from Charvet Editions, one of the last traditional family linen mills in France, linen is quick-drying, lint-free and becomes beautifully softer over time.  

Use as napkins, bread wraps, or simply to dry your wine glasses—they will find their place in your kitchen for sure. Rustic charm with a refined edge, that’s your French countryside touch this season. 

🧺 French Linen Tea Towel, £26