Taste Direct 2026: Sign up now to sample some of the UK’s best food and drink

Discovering fantastic food and drink products has never been easier, thanks to Speciality Food’s exclusive sampling service, Taste Direct.

The initiative is back, with 10 brilliant, hand-picked products for retailers to sample – all free of charge.

Taste Direct offers independents a simple way to try a selection of the best food and drink artisans and premium makers have to offer, with all samples delivered directly to their store.

All you need to do to claim your free samples is fill in the form here. But hurry, supplies are limited!

The producers we’ve teamed up with this year are offering a vast range of items, from award-winning and distinctive snacks, to refreshing drinks. Whether your customers want to explore the latest trends or indulge in classic flavours, Taste Direct has something for everyone. Sign up to receive your free samples here.

Taste Direct 2026’s product samples

Walker’s Shortbread - Tasting Sample Packs

Still run by Joseph’s family, Walker’s Shortbread maintains the tradition of producing the finest products to family recipes for both the retail and foodservice sectors. All Walker’s shortbread is guaranteed to be made with the finest pure butter and to contain no artificial flavourings, colourings, or preservatives. Combining quality ingredients, superb packaging and product innovation has established Walker’s as the leading brand of shortbread worldwide. Also granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment from His Majesty the King for the supply of shortbread to the Royal Household in 2017, this followed a Royal Warrant of Appointment by the Queen and Queen Mother in 2002 for oatcakes.

Biltong Boss - Sample Pack

Multi award-winning Biltong Boss brings energy, passion, and expertise to the category, blending time-honoured preparation with bold, confident flavours that keep customers coming back for more. Each pack delivers an impressive 40% protein while remaining low in sugar and saturated fat. Biltong Boss uses premium cuts of responsibly sourced beef, expertly hung and air-dried for exceptional tenderness, then finished with their signature spice blends that packs real character. From the classic, hearty Original Beef Biltong to adventurous favourites like Volcano Boss, Truffle Boss and beyond, this is a brand that continues to tick every box for flavour, quality, and innovation.

A Vogel - Sample Packs

Give your customers a reason to season with Herbamare Herb Sea Salt. Herbamare contains unrefined sea salt infused with fresh, organic herbs and vegetables such as thyme, rosemary and kelp, providing a unique flavour to your seasoning. The salt is traditionally harvested by hand from unique salt marshes in Aigues-Mortes, an area of France well known for its rich agricultural land. Organically grown herbs and vegetables are then steeped with the sea salt for many months to capture the distinctive quality and flavour of Herbamare®. Add a little extra punch with Herbamare Spicy with added chilli powder, pepper and horseradish. Get 125g of both varieties in the sample box!

Fairfields - Sample Box

Made with potatoes grown at the independent farm and cooked on-site, Fairfields Farm award-winning crisps are also carbon neutral*, vegan and gluten-free without compromising on taste. With eight delicious flavours including Sweet Chilli, Roast Rib of Beef flavour and Cheese & Onion flavour, there’s something for everyone. Available in 40g single serve and 150g sharing bags.

Fudge Kitchen - Sample Packs

Artisan confectioner Fudge Kitchen’s nostalgic range blends traditional flavours with sustainable craftsmanship. This delightful collection of classic British treats is designed to evoke fond memories with every delicious bite. From Rock Salted Peanut Brittle offering a nostalgic childhood crunch, to tangy Raspberry Coconut Ice conjuring sweet summer days, each product celebrates simple pleasures of the past. For classic indulgence, the new Vanilla Crumbly Fudge delivers a melt-in-the-mouth experience, while Salted Caramel Crumbly Fudge offers a decadent mix of sweet caramel and sharp salt, bringing a beloved flavour combination to life.

Suma - Store Cupboard Taster Pack

Suma is food done fairly. As a worker-owned, equal-pay co-op, they put people and ethics at the heart of everything they do. Suma’s store-cupboard essentials are crafted for independent retailers who value quality, traceability and integrity. From richly nutty Black Chickpeas to vibrant Cherry Tomatoes and smooth, flavour-forward Refried Beans, each product reflects their commitment to sustainable sourcing and honest production. Ideal for retailers seeking dependable, ethical staples with genuine provenance.

Pulp - Sample Bottle

Pulp Low Alcohol Apple Cider is refreshingly light at 0.5% ABV. Deliciously sophisticated, the light carbonation teases the tannins, leaving plenty of body and the sweet aroma of real cider with a touch of acidity as the end note. A full-flavoured medium cider, its low alcohol label is not to be underestimated. Perfect for the designated driver or those moderating, it offers a full-bodied cider experience. Every cider at Pulp is crafted from homegrown fresh cider apples and created pip to pint in under five miles at the family farm in Herefordshire, which has been cared for for over a century. Traditional skills passed down the generations, blended with modern techniques, come together to shape an a perfectly undeniably refreshing tipple taste.

Olives et Al - Tasting Sample Box

Olives Et Al has been championing the art of proper food since 1993 — real ingredients, made by real people, the old-fashioned way. What began as a love affair with Mediterranean olives has grown into a full pantry of bold, honest flavours – from small-batch dressings and pickles to the finest snacks and nibbles. The range is still made by hand in Dorset, with care, curiosity, and a generous glug of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in almost everything they do. Over 20 years ago, Olives Et Al developed their own way of kiln roasting nuts in small 60kg batches and some top-secret techniques. The result? Perfectly golden, deeply flavoured, and utterly irresistible. Every jar, bottle, and bag tells Olives Et Al’s story — full of character, flavour, and a little adventure. Made to share, to savour, and to always leave you wanting more.

Mont58 - Sample Pack

Mont58 Coffee is a small, independent, award-winning coffee roastery based in South London, recently named one of the UK’s Best 100 Small Businesses for 2025. They source high-quality, ethically traded beans from sustainable farms and roast every batch by hand in small quantities to ensure exceptional freshness, flavour and consistency. Mont58’s product range includes freshly roasted retail coffee bags, 100% arabica premium instant coffee, and fully compostable coffee pods compatible with Nespresso® machines – all designed to deliver great taste with minimal environmental impact. Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do, from their direct relationships with growers to their plastic-free packaging and carbon-conscious practices. Mont58’s mission is simple: to create coffee that tastes great, supports farmers fairly, and helps build a more responsible coffee future.

Potion De V - Sample

Introducing the first and only aged and handcrafted pure vanilla extract in the UK. Using the finest Grade A organic vanilla beans and ageing them results in a profound depth and complexity that cannot be achieved in factories. Ethically sourced single-origin vanilla is then hand-bottled, with vanilla beans added to every extract bottle—giving the user the flexibility to use both the extract and the beans. Handcrafted in small batches, Potion De V’s vanilla extracts are 100% pure, natural and allergen-free, with super-clean labelling of simply two ingredients. The extracts come beautifully packaged in a glass bottle with a cork top and a matching box. Amaze your customers with this delicious handmade product, bringing a “wow” factor to your shelves.

Sign up to Taste Direct here to access fantastic free samples.