With just days to go until the foodie favourite that is this year's Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival (May 28-29th) Laure Boutrais, founder of ABSORB - a mission to share knowledge on how nutrition and nature can heal the body naturally - is looking forward to her first visit to showcase some delicious flavours for all to enjoy!

Originally from Normandy Laure relocated to Cardiff twenty years ago and, wanting to understand her own body better following recurring infections and skin condition issues embarked on a course in Naturopathic Nutrition at the School of Naturopathic Nutrition in Cardiff.

Speaking about her experience, Laure said: "The course enabled me to improve both my health and stamina and it's something I'm so keen to share. I discovered the world of fermented foods and drinks and particularly how to make water kefir – a drink made using live cultures and real flowers, fruits and herbs - to create a naturally sparkling, gut-loving non-alcoholic probiotic drink. It really is a genuine toast to good health!

"Water kefir and other fermented foods have been consumed for centuries across the globe to promote health and wellness and my water kefir was lapped up by friends and family who convinced me to take it to a wider audience."

Dairy free, gluten free, vegan, low calorie and low sugar, her naturally fermented water kefir has no allergens, essences, preservatives or carbonation.

Laure produces a range of delicious natural flavours including blackcurrant, lavender, peppermint and the top favourite ginger and lemon.

Starting in her own kitchen, she then moved into the garage and has now progressed to a shipping container at Bridge Studios, Cardiff.

Demand for her product has soared as people become more health conscious and increasingly take interest in how the body functions; what goes in really does have an impact on so many factors and conditions, from mental health to stimulating vitality.

"If you have a health condition it's sometimes easy just to turn to a pill but it doesn't have to always be that way. Introducing good bacteria to boost the immune system, reconnecting with your body and nourishing it is a great starting point – and it always helps when the nourishment tastes good too.

"Alongside my regular range of natural flavours, I create a flavour of the month with seasonal ingredients and for the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, I'll be serving rhubarb & red fruit on tap, alongside ginger & lemon for festival goers to refresh, hydrate and take in some living goodness on what is hopefully going to be a very sunny day.

"I've been part of the local Cowbridge market for a few years but haven't featured at the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival before, so I'm excited to meet visitors and introduce them to my water kefir and other health promoting products. 

"Locally, the water kefir is being well received at both Hare and Hounds Bakery and Forage Farm, so I'm sure to feel at home!

"My son Etienne has actually flown over from France for the weekend to help out and along with my partner Alan, we're looking forward to a great event."

As well as the water kefir, Laure will also be showcasing her homemade raw sauerkraut – another fermented immune boosting product great for general health and wellbeing.

Cowbridge Food and Drink festival manager Tracy James-Lieberman added:

"This is exactly what we love about this festival – such a range of produce and something to really suit everyone; Laure's range of products sound amazing and the fact that they're so good for you is a total bonus; we're gearing up for a fantastic showcase of everything that is so wonderful about our artisan producers and hope people come down and join us to sample some of the very best."

For more information on Laure's range, visit absorbhealth.org

Tickets for the festival are available online in advance or on the day at the festival's Arthur John Car Park site.

To book online, please visit: ticketsource.co.uk/cowbridgefoodanddrinkfestival

For festival information, see: cowbridgefoodanddrink.org

A free park and ride system will operate from both Cowbridge Comprehensive School and Penllyn Estate