Across the country, small producers are rediscovering the ancient art of fermentation, with delicious results. Tom Howells samples British-made kefir, kombucha, kraut and more

It’s always a thrill to explore new places, especially those that are lesser known by British tourists. Like many others, we have visited the northern Italian hotspots in Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-R

• Welsh cooking is rooted in local produce and a strong sense of place, with recipes passed down through generations. From simple bakestone-baked treats to hearty, comforting dishes, these Welsh class

Johnny Drain Adventures in Fermentation From ancient origins to culinary frontiers, an exploration of the microbes that shape the world we live in 320pp. Penguin Life. £20. Tim Spector Ferment The lif

My fresher’s year at Edinburgh University offered a few rude awakenings. The first: learning the university had run out of self-catered accommodation. The next was that the uni’s solution was to have

FAR FROM BEING DEPRESSING OR LONELY, COOKING AND EATING SOLO DINNERS IS ONE OF LIFE’S GREAT JOYS, SAYS Eli Davies