A trout consumes six times its body weight in water each day. So, the quality of that water makes a big difference. Trout thrive on a steady flow of crystal clear, cool water. Luckily, the two chalk streams running through the farm are just the right distance from the springs. Close enough for the water to stay cool in summer, but just far enough for the chalk stream to naturally aerate the water before it reaches to the farm.

In the smokery, Mere dry salt and lightly smoke the trout to give it a uniquely succulent flavour. They smoke over oak, ash and beech from the nearby Longleat Estate. Our quest for the best does mean that the shelf life is ten days (lower than heavily brined smoked trout).

The importance of Vitamin D and how trout can get more into your diet

Winter is that time of year when the days are long, and the weather is cold. We all know that the winter often means getting that dreaded winter cold, but did you know that at this time of year, and particularly between January to March, that vitamin D deficiency reaches its peak? In fact, a staggering 29 per cent of us will be vitamin D deficient. But what exactly does this mean? Why do we need Vitamin D? We answer these questions and share some ways in which you can boost those vitamin D levels.

The main reason we need Vitamin D is to maintain strong and healthy bones. This is especially important for children. The role of Vitamin D is to help the body absorb the phosphate and calcium that is gained from our diets, which in turn strengthens our bones and teeth. Vitamin D also plays a role in enhancing our immune systems, helping to protect us from that dreaded winter bug.

Vitamin D deficiency should be taken seriously. This is because it can lead to many serious health problems. Bones can become weakened and soft due to a lack of Vitamin D in the body, which in turn can then cause deformities of the bone, especially in children. Your immune system can be compromised, and you are also at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and even depression.

So, where can we get that much-needed Vitamin D during the winter? Well, there are a small number of foods that we can eat that contain Vitamin D.

Consuming fresh trout, such as rainbow trout, is also a great way to increase those Vitamin D levels during the winter. This is because a 3 ounce serving of rainbow trout has 645 IU of Vitamin D. In fact, rainbow trout has the highest levels of Vitamin D out of any fish. Trout is also rich in omega 3, which is beneficial for heart health.