There are a number of Bath based 'specialities' and local products that have been born from the area's colourful history of hospitality...
The Bath Bun.jpg)
The Bath Bun, not to be confused with the Sally Lunn bun, was invented by Dr. Oliver whose patients loved them so much that their waistlines expanded at an alarming rate so they were quickly replaced with the savoury Bath Oliver biscuit (see below.) The buns were originally a brioche or rich egg and butter dough topped with crushed caraway seed comfits. Today's Bath bun is made from a sweet yeast dough and is sprinkled with crushed sugar after baking and often has a sugar lump in the centre of the bun. You can try a Bath Bun at various cafes and tea rooms in Bath such as The Bath Bun Tea Shoppe and Hands Tea Room.
Sally Lunn Buns
The Sally Lunn bun is much larger than the Bath bun and is like a large airy brioche. It is served with sweet or savoury 
accompaniment. Sally Lunn’s, one of the oldest houses in Bath, now houses a museum in the basement and a restaurant on three floors. According to legend, Sally Lunn, a Huguenot refugee, arrived in Bath in 1680 and started work with a baker in Lilliput Alley. She introduced the baker to her brioche style bun and they soon became popular at the public breakfasts and afternoon teas that were in vogue at the time. The recipe is a closely guarded secret which is mentioned on the deeds of the house. Today, Sally Lunns Refreshment House is high on the list of places for visitors as they can combine history with a delightful meal. In the evening the buns are served "trencher style" and make a superb meal.
Bath Olivers
Bath Olivers are popular today as an accompaniment for cheese and can be found on the shelves of most large supermarkets. However, this was not the purpose for which they
were designed. Dr. Oliver was among the successful physicians who gathered in Bath during the Eighteenth Century to treat the sick who came to Bath for the curative properties of the thermal waters. During that period it became more popular to drink the waters rather than bathe in them. On his death Dr. Oliver left £100, a sack of flour and his secret formula to his coachman Atkins who subsequently set up a shop on Green Street and became rich on the proceeds. In tandem with architect John Wood and Master of Ceremonies, Beau Nash, Dr. Oliver was instrumental in founding the Royal Mineral Water Hospital to look after the less fortunate. This is now one of the oldest functioning hospitals in the UK.
Bath Chaps
Bath chaps come from a long-jawed pig and are cured like bacon. They are traditionally served cold, often with cooked eggs, but are rather fatty which might account for their decline in popularity. The name probably derives from the early reputation of chaps produced in Bath.
Bath Soft Cheese
Made just outside of the city, Bath soft cheeses include Wyfe of Bath, Kelston Park, Bath Brie, Bath Blue and the original Bath Soft. To sample and purchase the delicious range of cheeses, head along to the Bath Farmer's Market, held in Green Park Station every Saturday morning.
Bath Ales
Independent brewery, Bath Ales, produces distinctive beers such as Gem (a bitter-sweet amber ale,) Dark Side (a delicious chocolaty stout,) and seasonal favourites such as the winter porter, Festivity. 
Their rich and diverse choice of carefully crafted ales means that ale lovers are sure to find something to please the palate. Bath Ales can be found in many local pubs including The Hop Pole, The Salamander and The Swan, all of which offer something special for locals, tourists, drinkers and foodies alike.
Abbey Ales
Abbey Ales is the first and only brewery in the historic city of Bath for 
over fifty years. Beers produced include Bellringer, a 4.2% abv best bitter, and Bellringer Maximus, a 5% abv, strong hoppy best bitter made from Wiltshire Maris Otter malt and finished with the finest Worcestershire hops. Bellringer is now the top selling cask bitter in Bath and is as popular with the many visitors to the Georgian city as it is with Bathonians. To try an Abbey Ale, pop into The Star Inn, an award winning 16th century pub.
Wines
Just outside of Bath lie two local vineyards that produce excellent quality
wine. Quoins Organic Vineyard is one of only 7 commercially producing organic vineyards in the country, producing between 3-4000 bottles a year. Although you can purchase Quoins organic wines in local shops and supermarkets across the country, it's certainly worth taking a trip out to the vineyard to sample, enjoy and buy the produce where it's made.
Avonleigh Organic Vineyard produces white, sparkling and rosé wine - the latter of which has won an award from the UK Vineyards Association. Everything in the vineyard is done traditionally, selecting and picking every bunch of grapes by hand.
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