The York Food, Drink & Leisure Guide 2005/6

Believing that the word 'fresh' has become overused, and therefore redundant, in food marketing, The Balloon Tree pioneers the concept of 'superfresh'. This is no idle boast as fruit and vegetables served in the welcoming farm shop and café are just hours or even minutes old. This family business has been growing quality food on the surrounding land for the past 20 years and produce is walked or quad biked straight to the shop. Named after a famous tree in nearby Buttercrambe, The Balloon Tree feels like a traditional farm building, check out the farm implements on the walls, but one filled with utterly modern ideas. You'll want almost everything from a range including preserves, ice creams, frozen punnets of Whitecurrants, Redcurrants and Blackcurrants, rare breed meats, local honey and fresh, sorry superfresh, vegetables and fruit. With a loyal following, the Balloon Tree also has a cosy café serving homemade meals created by the granny of the family, according to her own secret recipes.