Every two weeks we share all the stuff we’ve enjoyed recently – from the latest TV shows to the must-visit spots of New Zealand. Today’s In focus edition is going to be all about our recent favourites in local food industry.
Jasberry Rice
The world’s newest superfood has arrived in New Zealand. The gluten-free, vegan-friendly rice has a gorgeous dark purple colour and, with its nutty taste and huge number of antioxidants, will definitely be replacing other rice options on the menu.
Jasberry – Jas refers to the rice flavor and taste, while berry comes from the huge number of antioxidants in the rice. Anthocyanins, a compound with antioxidant effects, give both blueberries and Jasberry rice their purple colour.
We’ve used the rice with Thai curry and to make vegan rice salad and both options have given a delicious and filling meal.
We love the fact that Jasberry Co Ltd, a Thailand-based social enterprise, is working with over 2,500 farmers to improve their livelihoods in a sustainable manner and that they meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
Jasberry Rice is available at Huckleberry, Farro Fresh and participating supermarkets nationwide.
Mount Somers Honey
Seriously, the people who thought of adding chocolate to honey are onto a winning formula. We were sent the Chocolate, Chocolate and Mint and, our favourite, Chocolate and Orange Honey, to try out and, wow, are these just the most indulgent treats ever!
The chocolate-inspired range introduces nature’s superfood with the delightfulness of chocolate. It is sweet, no doubt there, so you don’t need too much – we tried the various honeys out on waffles (yum!), on toast and swirled through vanilla ice cream. Free from dairy, processed sugars and chemical sweeteners and, most importantly, New Zealand made.
Midlands Nutritional Oils
The health benefits of nutritional oils are far-reaching and when you’re dealing with a company that’s been in the speciality oils business for more than 15 years, you know you’re getting a quality product. It’s good to know in these times when we need to support New Zealand made products, that the seeds and fruit are all produced in microclimates around the country in mineral-rich fertile soil and watered using glacial melt.
The Flaxseed Oil comes in an easily swallowed capsule, whilst the Hemp, Rapeseed, Olive and Gold Cooking Oils come in beautiful slim-line bottles that won’t take up too much space in your refrigerator. All the oils are cold-pressed which means they haven’t been heated so all the goodness is still in them.
Try all their beneficial oils – so good for you and it won’t take you long before you’re hooked.
Kallo Organic Stock Cubes
Out now, the really versatile and tasty Kallo Organic Stock cubes have hit the shelves. You know that this is a reputable product because it is distributed by Chantal Organics, a family business that is one of the oldest organic companies in New Zealand – you would probably have seen many of their products around on the shelves…tahini, chickpeas, peanut butter, etc. They have the philosophy that “the products must taste great, and come from companies that respect the earth as well as their employees.”
The range of Kallo Organic Stock Cubes come in three flavours – Vegetable, Chicken and Beef – and all are made without artificial flavours, preservatives or colours. Perfect for those on restricted diets as they are coeliac-friendly and lactose-free.
We tried them in casseroles and soups and found they easily dissolved and added a great taste, without being too ‘stocky-tasting’ (no such word, but you get the drift).
Hop onto their website for some great recipes.
Pask Winery & Jackson Estate wine
Since planting their vineyards over 30 years ago, Jackson Estate, nestled amongst the Richmond Ranges in the Marlborough region, continues to develop beautiful wines. We were sent three of their wines to review – Pinot Rosé 2018, Vintage Widow Pinot Noir 2016 and Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – and all were beautiful, although the Rosé, with its light fruity taste and delicate floral aroma, was our favourite for an after-work catch up.
The company focuses on small batch fermentation and aims at small incremental improvements year on year to ensure sustainability and environmentally responsible practices are adhered to and, big plus, they are 100% Kiwi-owned.
And so, with a glass of wine to accompany all these tasty morsels that we have reviewed, we are all set.