The best of Essex's food and drink  has been recognised by the international Great Taste Awards. 

Following 14 weeks of judging, the results of the world’s most trusted food and drink awards, Great Taste, have been announced with winners from the town. 

Blind tasted by 144 judges, the iconic black and gold label is not only a badge of honour but a signpost to an outstanding product. 

Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste values delicious taste above all else, with no regard for branding and packaging. 

There were 12,777 entries into Great Taste this year from 106 countries.  Of those products, 205 have been awarded a 3-star, 1,294 received a 2-star and 3,818 were awarded a 1-star accolade. 

Essex proudly produced 46 winners, including 12 producers being awarded the coveted two-stars or more.

Amongst the winners is the young company, Maylandsea Smokery which has been running for around two years. 

Owner, Zivile Tamosaityte, said: "It has made us immensely proud and overwhelmed by winning stars at the Great Taste Awards 2020 inline with the other great smokeries that have been established for many years."

Echo:

The hot-Smoked mackerel fillets won a top spot at the awards.

Ms Tamosaityte said: "All of our products are produced by using traditional Artisan techniques and recipes, which ensure our products retain their truly authentic taste and texture.

"Lots of love and passion for smoking delicious things guarantee our products maintain their quality, from state of the art smoker to customer."

Fresh and frozen fruit juice and puree company DC Wiliamson have also been awarded one-star at the Great Taste Awards for their 'Barn Farm Drinks Opal Apple Juice'.

Owner of DC Williamson, Jason Clench, said: "We're absolutely thrilled, this is the second time we've won a great taste star and the same product [opal apple juice] is shortlisted for a Great British Food Award."

Echo:

With a field to bottle ethos the company ensures everything is done of site to maintain quality and flavour.

Mr Clench said: "We do everything on the farm - we grow the fruit, press it and bottle it here at Barn Farm near Manningtree."

Recognised as a stamp of excellence among consumers and retailers alike, Great Taste values delicious taste above all else, with no regard for branding and packaging. 

There were 12,777 entries into Great Taste this year from 106 countries.  Of those products, 205 have been awarded a 3-star, 1,294 received a 2-star and 3,818 were awarded a 1-star accolade. 

This year’s winners have been found through a combination of remote judging and socially distanced judging sessions, after the lockdown began just one week into the schedule.

As a result, the Great Taste judging process was reinvented to maintain a robust judging standard that did not compromise the quality of feedback to participants. 

Released in September the awards have come as a much needed boost to the food and drinks industry pre-Christmas. 

John Farrand, managing director of the Guild of Fine Food, organisers of Great Taste, said: "Building upon the recent increase in trade for both regional food producers and retailers, one of the few good news stories during lockdown, the Great Taste results will help to stimulate much-needed consumer support for independent retail and hospitality over the coming months, as the nation moves towards the most important Christmas period in a generation."

Search through all of the Essex winners in the table below:

 Will you be trying any of these products? Let us know in the comments.