Patum Peperium
’ Patum peperium’ also known as ‘The Gentleman’s Relish, means ‘pepper paste’ and was created in 1828 in Paris by John Osborn. It is a secret recipe, said to be known to only one employee at the manufacturer, Elsenham Quality Foods, in England. (Presumably, the secret is passed on - I can't believe there are any employees aged almost two hundred!)
It is created from anchovies, which have a well-defined taste, butter, herbs and spices and is consumed, very sparingly spread, on hot buttered toast. It can also be added to cottage pies or fish dishes or indeed any recipe that might benefit from extra flavour.
It is an important ingredient in Scotch woodcock, which bears no relation to the bird of that name, in similar vein to Welsh rarebit (rabbit) which contains no meat. Scotch woodcock consists of scrambled eggs atop toast that has been thinly spread with Gentlemen’s Relish, and is often garnished with chopped herbs and black pepper.
Patum Peperium is very strongly flavoured and those who wish to try it should pay close attention to the advice, ‘To appreciate the fine flavour of this relish, it should be used VERY SPARINGLY.’
I would suggest that it is an acquired taste, much the same as Marmite, which is another spread that should be used with caution. A (very) little goes a (very) long way.
I suspect my two sons would like this, I prefer blander fare, though I love vegemite which is similar to marmite but blacker.
ReplyDeleteI quite like it occasionally, but spread extremely thinly on hot, buttered toast.
DeleteSuch an interesting post. I always learn something new with your posts. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will try it one day.
DeleteAnchovies make or break one's appreciation - Breaks mine , but I did acquire a craving for marmite- went to Australia and got used to vegemite which is far superior, milder, addictive. Now , having been in the USA for far too long, I have lost appreciation for all "mites" - time to pack up and leave, I reckon.
ReplyDeleteAnchovies are very strong - gaspingly, gaggingly so if not used with discretion!
DeleteI love anchovy toast! Lucky you to have this to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteIt's a winter afternoon's occasional treat.
DeleteWill you be able to use it all up within 4 weeks?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it!
DeleteI have never heard of this before. I’m curious about it now.
ReplyDeleteGregg may have had it. It was a favourite in the officers' mess.
DeleteI suspect that I would love it. Just a little googling tells me you can also buy "Poacher's Relish" (salmon) and "Angler's Relish" (smoked mackerel). I wonder where it will be shelved in our local Waitrose and Sainsburys stores? Any idea?
ReplyDeletePatum peperium is available in Waitrose and Ocado, and Poacher's Relish is available from Ocado, but not Angler's Relish. I don't know about Sainsbury or any of the others. Any of these relishes probably should be 'partaken' in moderation!!
DeleteHi Janice - my father's favourite and I buy occasionally as a present for my brother ... but I used to love it too - though rarely have it anymore. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt must be years since I last bought it, but something triggered my memory. It's a nice 'afternoon tea' treat, though we rarely have afternoon tea!!
DeleteI've always been intrigued by this, One day I'll get the nerve up and try some - sparingly!
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to know how you get on with it.
DeleteI'm not very adventurous when it comes to odd foods. And to me this sounds rather odd.
ReplyDeleteIt is very strong, but tasty!
DeleteI've never heard of this before - and don't feel tempted, to be honest! Marmite I've tried (courtesy of a British friend), but did not develop a taste for either... Just as well, as I've never seen it in any shop here!
ReplyDeleteIt's basically a salt overload!
DeleteDad was very fond of this and often enjoyed it on toast for breakfast. It's quite nice, used very sparingly, but I prefer marmite. xx
ReplyDeleteI have Marmite occasionally and Gentleman's Relish even more occasionally. It's too easy to overdo it!
DeleteI imagine that, like marmite, this wouldn't appeal to my American palate, even sparingly. First I've heard of this spread. Interesting how we get used to different tastes in different countries.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to like salty relishes and pickles in UK.
DeleteIt sounds like a taste that I have yet to acquire!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry if you never acquire it - it won't matter!
Deletethere is not much my husband and I agree on, but hot things, herbs and spices are not in the things we eat. this will not be tried by us for sure.
ReplyDeleteI once forgot to tell the waiter to leave the pepper off the salad they served and took one bite and lost my breathe and had to choke my way to the rest room. I can't eat any sort of pepper or peppers. Bob does add black pepper to his eggs. I am sure there are many foods we love that you would not, I was raised on old fashioned country foods in the south of USA, and a lot of Americans don't eat it. let alone people from other countries.
Your palate has been trained in a different way and you're clearly very sensitive to changes. Very interesting!
DeleteI never heard of this, but it sounds interesting and I would certainly try it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a robust palate, you will enjoy it - basically, it's very salty!
DeleteI don't think I would like this!
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly an acquired taste!
DeleteI was thinking of marmite before you got to it. I tried it once.
ReplyDeleteI'd heard of "The Gentleman's Relish" but had no idea what it actually was nor have I ever tasted it ... xxx
ReplyDeleteBill Wyman said when he moved to France. The one thing he missed from England was Piccalilli. For me living in Ireland, it's real ales and good cheeses, pies and pasties.
ReplyDeleteI am a lover of both Marmite and Patum Peperium possibly because my sense of tase is very poor as a result of a serious bout of influenza in 1985. These are strong flavours I can taste.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would like this.
ReplyDelete