These are NOT Leaf Scratchings
Don't be fooled by the name. These are not leaf scratchings.
I found these pork scratchings on eBay, you can click the image to see the listing if you like. They are not leaf scratchings, but pork scratchings called leaf scratchings.
As described above, real leaf scratchings are not made from pork rind.
Since i found these scratchings, the packaging has changed. As you can see below.
What does a Cider Press look like?
If you don't know what a cider press looks like, see below.
in the information above, I'm guessing any sort of press could be used. A cider press has gaps in the sides to let the juice flow. But I'm pretty sure anything that squashes the 'leaf' would be OK. Maybe even a flower press?
My Nan lived near East Park back in the late 50’s early 60’s. It was a big family and the house was always buzzing. Looking back (longingly now!) it was was a Black Country food Mecca.
You name it we had it: massive pans of Gray Pays n Bacon, Pigs trotters and yellow split peas (which after a day or two of on and off boiling was like a gelatinous mass that you wouldn’t want to fall into!),Pigs Pudding etc,etc. But my favourite thing of all was when my uncle used to come home with a great big polythene bag of things called ‘Scratchings’. It was in fact rendered pork and was not salted. With a bit of salt they became the tastiest things ever and still are to this day – if you can get them that is. The last place I know of where you could get them until they retired was Bridgwater Bros. the Butchers down the Penn Rd in Wolvo.
I have bad news. Cooper’s butchers are no more. I expect, other high ranking scratching aficionados will already know. Sad but true. Looking back, thinking of the last (several) bags of leaf scratchings I purchased when I were last in the shop, never did I for one moment think they would be my last. The rarest of rare, the most perfect of accompaniments to the “teeth bosta” scratching. I hear rumours through the scratching vine that one, perhaps two other butchers still make them, but even through my extensive network of crunchy pig skin spy’s, I cannot track them down. It is a sad day. It truly is. I believe the last high quality bag of scratchings from a shop rather than a butcher is the Simmons blue bag. I say this because the artisanal craft of a local butcher making his own is now so incredibly rare that one must go “mainstream” Simmons, blue bag, are true quality, if still mass produced. All hail Coopers leaf scratchings! The king of scratchings, and yet, alas, the king is no more. It is only now that I truly understand why the lord gave us lasting memories.
I’ve literally just sent Michelle at Coopers an email as had a final thought that she might still have contact details for the leaf scratching supplier they used…but the email has bounced back 😔 No working email address, no shop, no website and no working phone number anymore.
Coopers always did me a solid as a Michelle would post a large order out to me for a very reasonable price. It was like Christmas morning when that bad boy arrived in the post lol. If anyone has any contacts or aware of any company still producing or selling them please let me know. My email is mattwall73@gmail.com and likewise, if I find anything I’ll post it on here.
Good luck Matt. My page here seems to be the only place to find out any info about leaf scratchings. Likewise, if anyone has any further info about leaf scratchings, post it here. I’d like to make a better more authoritative page on the subject.
I’ve searched everywhere for Leaf Scratchings to no avail, if anyone does have any information on where to buy them please please get in touch. jackie.edwards22@outlook.com
Hi Jackie, I remember having these as a child, still warm sometimes from Devises butchers in Great Bridge. The last place I purchased some of these old fashioned scratchings from, was a butchers in Bilston market, about February 2024 Ithink?. He used to sell a small plastic bag for £2.50. He told me they would be the last. Not because his supplier was stopping making them. It was simply because his supplier was increasing the price and he thought people wouldn’t pay the extra. He showed me the large potato size bag that cost him around £47, that was due to increase to £67.
Well well well, here I go again. My crunchy pig skin spys have been in touch! Through hushed whispers and murmured words, a rumour may prove true. I shall act upon the information I have on the first of March. As leaves return to the trees, leafs will be knocked from the block, bagged, tagged and sold to we.
Is it a rumour worth following up? Of course. Keep them crossed. Will give address, opening times and prices. If it is a rumour only, I will still report back any findings. Leaf are the gold medal of course.
Ooh exciting, keep us posted 👍
why don’t you sign up to the newsletter to be informed of developments!
https://hairybarsnacks.com/hello/
Let’s hope so, could you let me know please..
rammelllinda@gmail.com
Many thanks
Lin Rammell
why don’t you sign up to the newsletter to be informed of developments!
https://hairybarsnacks.com/hello/
Where would this be please? Been after some for years
no one knows, sorry!
Any new updates Linda? Literally just bought a board of KVE’s and a board of the Black Country Snacks ‘Leaf’ scratchings just to stop me going full cold-Turkey haha 😄 Still hoping we will find a place or two that are still doing under-the-counter bags 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Anyone does let me know on mattwall73@gmail.com. Thanks all!
Just an update-the classic KVE ‘leaf-type’ scratchings that we’re probably used to seeing here and there have been a tasty substitute, although nowhere near what we’ve been after. Out of the two substitutes I bought off eBay I do prefer the Black Country Bar Snacks version of leaf scratchings though as seem a little more substantial. Anyway, hope everyone’s good and you have a great Christmas 🎄 👍🏻