A little over a year has passed since moving here and I’m still struck by the amount of quality Artisan produce there is in New Zealand – it’s wonderfully insane! This tiny little country really does have a love affair with food.
This weekend I visited the annual Food Show in Auckland, in search of new discoveries. These are the products that stood out for me, some of them have been around for some time and are already coveted with awards. Others are brand spanking new!
Lewis Road Creamery Premium New Zealand Butter
This talks to me! From a nation of the finest pastures, it makes sense that there should be a butter to match the best in Europe. Lovely, creamy and pale yellow in colour, a spread of this on good quality bread and you could forgive yourself from believing that heaven is butter. And then I tried the Artisan range, whipped by hand with sprinkles of salt crystals – ahhh… this line is only available at a handful of restaurants but thankfully the Premium range is now available at supermarkets.
J. Friend and Co. New Zealand Artisan Honey
I’ve always loved honey. I feel that I’m rediscovering it since moving here. This beautiful range of honey has already got a name for itself, with the Pohutukawa Honey, the winner of the 2012 Cuisine Artisan Award. Go to their website and you can follow the story of the beekeepers for each of the honeys. The honey is divine and the packaging beautiful.
This lovely fine chocolate has been around since 1991 and they have continued to make quality artisan chocolate since. You have to try the new Manuka Honeycomb Milk Chocolate; it’s a little dangerous for those with a sweet tooth like me!
A very special mention….
Only three weeks old, this artisan ice cream maker has me hooked. I have an unhealthy obsession for ice cream; I think it goes back to my nightly ice cream cones as a child (always blame the parents right). So I fancy myself as an amateur connoisseur in this area and this stuff is truly amazing! New Zealand is renowned for their ice cream so there’s a lot of choice to be had. Little Paddock has got it right. From its unique flavours; caramel slice, mister boysenberry, baby cup cake and more to really cool packaging. I would have loved to have included this ice cream in the photo but wasn’t going home straight after the show and it would have melted…
Were you at the Food Show? Have you tried any of these products ? Do you have any favourite New Zealand artisan products of your own? I’d love to hear! See you back here Wednesday…
everything looks a treat! love trying out new products from far away places…as soon as I land in a new country i love to visit
1) their supermarkets
2) their pharmacy
haha…feel a little strange admitting that but thats me!
Anastasia, sometimes I wish that comment sections had a “like” button. I’d definitely press it for you your comment:)
I adore looking at all the beautiful designs at The Food Show too. It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one that enjoys lovely packaging. I couldn’t stop walking past the Little Paddock Ice cream stall. I wonder if they recognised me everytime I tasted another flavour? I wonder how many others did the same?
I love J Friend & Co honey and if you haven’t already tried or heard about it, give Hakanoa Ginger Syrup a whirl. It has lots of applications so you won’t get bored with the flavour.
Thanks so much Genie, yes you sound just like me with Little Paddock:) I’ll definitely go in search of Hakanoa Ginger Syrup! Thanks for sharing! Mel
That is absolutely one of the things I love about NZ is the food and how much effort and appreciation goes into it. I’m so jealous of all those great products and wonderful packaging too! Teri
All of these products look fab and love the packaging for all of them. There is nothing better than good butter, my daughter is always telling me off for putting to much on everything! I’ll keep an eye out for them.