Stocking the kitchen for Christmas?

In Ireland’s food capital, the most creative artisan foodies save their best inventions for the festive season.

While Cork is a place where you can find the best of locally produced food all year ’round, at Christmas the choice is even more exciting, with a selection of delicious finds hitting the shelves for just a few weeks.

Here are five of the most intriguing Christmas items to pop on your list:

1. SOMA Christmas Spirit Coffee

SOMA’s freshly roasted Christmas Spirit Coffee has tasting notes of whiskey, dark chocolate and blueberry. It’s the only thing we want in our mug on a frosty winter morning and it makes a mean Irish coffee for after dinner too.

Nab a bag (€10.50) while they last in the Tuckey Street café or online on their website.

2. YUM Gelato Christmas Pudding 

Even if you’re not a fan of the traditional Christmas pudding, this decadent gelato might change your mind. It’s gluten-free too (perfect for impressing your dinner guests or hosts).

YUM’s Christmas Pudding Gelato is available from Menloe Stores on the Blackrock Road.

3. MINCE PIES from the Baking Emporium in Dunmanway

Sure, every baker has their own version of the mince pie, but these babies, with a crisp biscuit base, a layer of caramel sauce, roasted chopped nuts, soaked raisins and glazed cherries, are deemed the best of the bunch by mince pie afficionados.

You’ll find them at Menloe Stores on the Blackrock Road and at the Ashe Street, Clonakilty store.

4. O’FLYNN’S CRANBERRY AND APPLE SAUSAGE

Whether you’re making sausage rolls for Christmas Eve or whipping up some stuffing for the turkey, O’Flynn’s Christmas selection of sausage meats is as decadent as it gets for a carnivore.

Choose from Traditional, Apricot & Thyme, Sage & Black Pepper or (our favourite) Cranberry & Apple. Stock up in the English Market – Christmas opening times here.

5. KIMCHi BLOODY MARY MIX FROM MY GOODNESS

Cork purveyors of vegan treats My Goodness have been bottling up their kimchi juice with a little fresh lime to make an instant, Vitamin C-loaded hangover cure.

Mix a splash of My Goodness Bloody Mary mix with vodka, add a stick of celery and a dash of lemon juice to rid yourself of dodgy Christmas spirits. €12 a bottle in the English Market.