This month’s favourite comes from a conversation with one of our Italian customers, who shared a simple way he uses einkorn flour at home. Einkorn is one of the oldest grains still in use today, grown in much the same way for thousands of years. It hasn’t been heavily modified like modern wheat, which is why many people find it easier to work with and to digest.

What stood out to me was how straightforward his approach is. No yeast, no waiting around, just a quick dough and into the oven. It is a nice reminder that good food can be simple, and that sometimes the best ideas come from how people cook in their own kitchens.

​Here is his recipe for an easy, everyday pizza.

I've discovered that pizza can easily be made without using yeast. Just make the dough like you would for soda bread! I suggest to use wholemeal flour, which makes pizza very digestible (try it out, you won't believe it!) Pizza base made out of wholemeal flour tends to break, though, because of fibres, but here's the trick: Einkorn flour! This ancient grain makes for a pretty soft base, despite being fully wholemeal, because of its fantastic properties, which have been (luckily!) left untouched by humankind for millennia (among which is being well tolerated by people with gluten sensitivity).
 
The recipe is very simple, and it takes just 30 minutes:

1. make the dough like soda bread (I use bread soda and some lemon juice, if I don't have buttermilk at hand - for reference, 1 bread soda teaspoon is enough for half a kg flour, so don't use too much)
2. make the base, thin is better (it will raise a bit while properly cooking inside) - you can just press the dough with your fingers from the centre towards the edge, while rotating the dough, no tools needed and it's fun!
3. add toppings as tou wish (don't forget a bit of extra-virgin olive oil, that's the Italian touch!)
4. for added flavour, sprinkle with thyme
5. cook 15 minutes at 220°C

 
If you want to add mozzarella cheese (buffalo mozzarella is best, like our excellent Italian buffalo mozzarella from Sora), add it halfway through cooking, so it melts without burning (open the oven, carefully pull out the tray halfway with oven gloves, quickly add mozzarella pieces, push the tray back)
 
That's it! Simple, healthy, and so quick to make and digestible you can have it at lunch any day!

Review and recipe by Gianni

I absolutely love the Palm Free shampoo bar. It really ticks all the boxes for me. Irish-made, palm-free, plastic-free and genuinely effective. From the first use, it felt like a product I could rely on.

It lathers beautifully and leaves my hair feeling clean and fresh without being stripped. The scent is gentle and natural, which I really appreciate. Nothing overpowering, just a lovely, subtle freshness. I’ve also noticed that it has a nice clarifying effect. I usually wash my hair every second day, but with this bar I can stretch it to a third day, which means less washing, less waste and healthier hair overall.

What stands out is the quality. Real care and expertise have gone into creating these bars, using thoughtful ingredients and keeping sustainability at the heart of it all. It feels good to support a small, Irish, family-run business that is so committed to doing things properly.

It works brilliantly, smells amazing and is great value too. I will definitely be buying it again, and it also makes a lovely gift. Review by ​Aine

Cormac ordered these for the shop, and I decided to try them out.  I find them fabulous, especially as we have sensitive skin issues in the house.  The pack is for 60 washes. I use 1/2 a sheet and get 120 washes from a pack. They worked wonders in cleaning makeup-stained towels from recent visitors. Don't just take my advice. Review by Geraldine

Here are more reviews

• Great cleaning performance and protecting ocean habitats Fantastic product! 1% from the sale of every pack goes to protecting ocean habitats. Also come in zero plastic packaging, that is ultra-slim (does through letter box!). But most importantly, the cleaning performance is unbelievably good! Simple to use and no residue left over with the sheet fully dissolving in the drum. The sheets have no issues with quick washes or stains, and have a nice scent that isn’t overpowering. Overall very pleased!

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• I’ve been using these for over a year and I’m very pleased with the results. I wanted an environmentally friendly laundry option with a Bio option and low (but not imperceptible) scent.

Let us know which of our products are your favourites and why
Email Geraldine [email protected]

This month, my favourite product has to be Emergency Honey Pot. I was feeling run down and could feel the start of a cold coming on, so I tried just one teaspoon. Very soon after, I genuinely felt so much better and more like myself again.

Emergency Honey Pot delivers targeted immune support using a concentrated blend of raw Irish honey, vitamin C, propolis and traditional warming botanicals. I shared it with a friend who was feeling really unwell, and after taking it for a few days they noticed a big improvement. A customer also passed some on to a colleague at work, and he found it helped him feel better too. It has been lovely to see how many people have reached for it when they needed a little extra support. Review by Geraldine, Gill & Mark

Let us know which of our products are your favourites and why
Email Geraldine [email protected]

I tried this chai concentrate, and it is honestly the best chai I have ever had. It’s really warming and comforting, especially on cold days or when you just want something cosy.

It’s super easy to make. You just mix one-quarter chai concentrate with three-quarters milk and heat it up. That’s it.
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I love that it tastes like something you’d get in a café, but you can make it at home in minutes. It’s definitely become a regular drink for me. Review by Ruby

​Let us know which of our products are your favourites and why
Email Geraldine [email protected]

I picked up the local gluten-free porridge oat bread mix on a whim, and it has become a regular in my kitchen. It could not be easier. I just tip the mix into a bowl, add an egg and buttermilk, then bake it for just under an hour. The result is the loveliest loaf, light and never heavy. The linseeds give it a great texture too.

It is a brilliant option for my busy household because we get fresh bread with almost no effort. I made it recently for a smoked salmon starter, and it was perfect. It also works beautifully with cheese after dinner. For something so simple, it feels like a real treat and will definitely be on our table for Christmas Day. Review by Siobhan
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Let us know which of our products are your favourites and why
Email Geraldine [email protected]

Propolis is one of nature’s most powerful protectors — a gift from the beehive that has supported human health for centuries. Often called “bee glue,” propolis is a resinous substance collected by honeybees from tree buds and bark. Bees use it to seal and sterilise their hives, protecting the colony from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For us, it offers similar benefits — supporting the immune system, fighting infections, and promoting overall wellbeing.
 
Why Propolis Is So Special
Propolis contains a unique mix of natural compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils — all known for their strong antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies have linked propolis to:

• Immune support: Helps the body fight off seasonal infections and strengthens natural resistance.
• Oral and throat health: Soothes sore throats and supports healthy gums.
• Skin healing: Promotes recovery from minor cuts, burns, and blemishes thanks to its natural antimicrobial action.
• Antioxidant protection: Helps combat oxidative stress and supports healthy ageing.

 
How to Take It
Our Old Cottage Honey Max Strength Extract of Propolis is highly concentrated — a few drops are all you need. For daily wellness, add it to a glass of water, juice, or tea. It can also be taken directly on a spoon or mixed with honey for a smoother taste. During times of seasonal stress or when your immune system needs extra support, you can increase the frequency as needed.
 
Crafted the Old Cottage Honey Way – Alcohol-Free and Full of Goodness
Unlike most propolis extracts made with alcohol, our method makes this natural remedy suitable for everyone, including those who avoid alcohol for health or personal reasons.
 
We use a two-step process that begins with a traditional alcohol extraction to fully unlock the beneficial compounds found in raw propolis. Then, the alcohol is gently removed and replaced with pure vegetable glycerin, resulting in a potent, alcohol-free propolis glycerite — gentle yet powerful, preserving all the natural goodness without compromise.
 
Pure. Potent. Irish.
Every drop of Old Cottage Honey propolis extract is made from Irish propolis gathered from healthy, thriving hives. It’s crafted in small batches to ensure maximum potency and purity, with no artificial additives, colours, or preservatives — just the natural strength of propolis as the bees made it.
 
If you’re looking for a natural way to support your immune system, soothe your throat, or simply strengthen your everyday wellness, Old Cottage Honey Max Strength Extract of Propolis is nature’s perfect ally.

Serg, Old Cottage Honey

I tried Dr Coy’s Chicken Bouillon recently, and it’s quickly become one of my favourite cupboard staples. The flavour is rich and comforting, thanks to the chicken, herbs, and 16 organic vegetables, without any of the additives I usually try to avoid.

I’ve used it in soups, sauces, curries and casseroles. Every time it tastes like I’ve spent hours making stock from scratch. One small tub makes around 20 servings, so it’s great value too. For me, it’s an easy, wholesome way to make everyday cooking that bit more delicious. Review by Pauline

Let us know which of our products are your favourites and why
Email Geraldine [email protected]