Verjuice flavour enhancers from Venator Investments

Verjuice is a food flavour enhancer from South Africa that is popular with chefs and mixologists as a milder, less acidic alternative to lemon juice, white wine or vinegar. As it has proved hard to find outside London, Venator Investments is importing three varieties from South Africa in a bid to widen its distribution at more competitive prices.

Verjuice, which was used by the Romans and was a popular ingredient in the 19th century, is made from the unfermented juice of unripe wine grapes from the Western Cape of Africa. TVC Verjuice, priced at £6.24 wholesale for a 750ml bottle, uses Pinotage and other noble red and white varieties and is ideal for dressings, syrups, sauces, marinades, casseroles and gravies.

The similarly-priced and sized Green Harvest Verjuice, based on Harslevelu grapes, will heighten flavours in Hollandaise and butter sauces and in poached fish, chicken and fruit.

The third option, sold in 250ml bottles for £3.93 wholesale, is Caramelised Verjuice Syrup, a sweet-sour syrup that adds zest to dressings, desserts, cheese and meat. Minimum orders are for one case of six bottles.

To buy it, callVenator Investments0800 567 0128