In this episode of the Taste of Place Podcast, Erik Wolf speaks with Heike Winter, founder of Must Heb, an award-winning artisanal mustard producer based on the Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Originally from Germany, Heike shares the personal journey that led her to relocate to one of Europe’s most remote regions and build a food business rooted in place, purpose, and craft. The conversation explores why mustard is often underestimated, how flavor innovation happens outside mass-market systems, and what it truly means to grow a business without losing its soul. Listeners will hear about the realities of sourcing organic ingredients, producing food at a small scale, educating consumers through tastings and storytelling, and choosing intentional limits on growth. This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on culinary culture, transparency, and why artisanal food continues to matter in a world increasingly shaped by industrial food systems.
00:00 – Introduction
01:05 – From Germany to Scotland
02:10 – Discovering the Isle of Harris
04:30 – A Dream, a Word, and a Business Idea
06:45 – From Concept to First Jar
08:00 – Changing How People Think About Mustard
10:05 – Producing Food in a Remote Location
14:10 – Organic Ingredients and Sustainability Challenges
17:15 – Visitors, Honesty Boxes, and Tastings
18:45 – Creating Unusual Flavours
21:30 – Recognition and Leadership
23:00 – Growth Without Becoming Mass Market
25:15 – The Future of Mustard and Clean Food
29:00 – Certification, Labels, and Consumer Choice
33:00 – Personal Growth and Finding One’s Calling
34:45 – Closing Thoughts
Visit her website here.