Trout for tea and Vitamin D!

The history of Berkshire Farm fascinates me.

The wonderful Michael Stephenson is constantly telling Jon about stories from the past years – right back to the very early 20th Century.

I could tell you so many amazing stories, like the day the Friday afternoon Exeter to Paddington train stopped by the farm so the driver could have ‘a look around’ but I’ll save that for another time!

You may consider eating trout for your dinner or lunch, you should, it’s extremely delicious and healthy, but would you consider eating it for afternoon tea at the Ritz or The Savoy?

London in the 1920s

Back in the early part of the 20th Century,the then owners of Berkshire Trout Farm rented a shop on Regent’s Street and sold live tiddly trout to the various hotels in the area who would in turn serve them up on toast for a high afternoon tea at some of London’s finest establishments. The likes of The Young Bright Things crowd such as Noel Coward, Nancy Mitford, Evelyn Waugh and Seigfried Sassoon may all have sampled this delicious fish at some decadent tea party.

The trout were transported in fish kettles. Kettles that looked similar to milk urns of the day. A horse and cart would transport the live fish in the kettles to Hungerford station and then onwards by train to Paddington where they were then transported to the shop.

But, I digress.

In the fight against Covid-19 scientists are saying we would do well to increase our uptake of vitamin D.

During the winter months we only get low levels of vitamin D as we need strong sunlight in order for our bodies to produce it. Very interestingly, it may also help our bodies fight off the coronavirus. According to The Guardian a couple of weeks ago, researchers in Spain found that 82% of coronavirus patients out of 216 admitted to hospital had low vitamin D levels.

While we do not know just how effective vitamin D levels have on Covid-19, flu and other respiratory diseases, we do know that it is good for us.

Vitamin D aids in the formation of strongbones, better teeth and keeps our muscles healthy.

Trout is rich in vitamin D but it is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of unsaturated fatty acid that may reduce inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation in the body can damage your blood vessels and lead to heart disease and strokes.

Eating at least two servings a week of fish, particularly fish such as trout, that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, particularly sudden cardiac death.

Well, that’s all from me for today folks. Stay well and healthy.

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Lucy Handley
November 12, 2020

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