I had one of the most wonderful farm visits of my food journey to date when I visited Chalk Stream Trout Farm in Hampshire earlier this summer. I was met by the charming Arthur who became my unexpected knight in shining armour when he rescued me from a country lane near the farm, due to a burst tyre!
After a little drama I started my tour of this beautiful, family run farm which sits on the River Test in deepest Hampshire. These world famous, spring-fed chalk streams, with their “gin clear” water, are especially unique and provide the perfect habitat for these delicious trout to grow. It is this water that gives them their clean and sensational taste. The water, being very fast flowing, also makes the fish very lean - at least 2 tonnes of chalk stream water flows into the farm every second! This water is rated class A by the UK Environment Agency, the highest achievable grade. The Environment Agency visit the farm every fortnight and do random tests of the water flowing into and, most importantly, out of the farm, to ensure it is still rated class A.
I had a wonderful day with Arthur and the farm manager, Pete, who has managed this farm for over 30 years. With only just over 200 chalk streams in the world, these rare environments must be respected and it is Pete’s job to do this, as well as nurturing the healthy growth of the rainbow trout.
Chalk Stream Foods have never exported their trout before and I am thrilled to be their first exporter and to bring their beautiful products to Singapore for you to enjoy. This really is a special farm, run by special people and I hope you enjoy the video of my visit, produced by my daughter, our new budding media guru 😊