1 Sometimes all you want for brekkie is a nice piece of toast – and something good to go on it. Pepler’s Boysenberry & Vanilla Preserve turns what is essentially bread and heat into a memorable mouthful. Pepler’s has been hand-making its small-batch condiments from its Te Kauwhata kitchen for four decades. RRP $11 for 240g. peplers.co.nz
2 Feijoas make a star appearance in a New Zealand-made spirits brand that’s tapping into the global rise in popularity of this fruit. Feijoa Tree is distilled from naturally fermented organically grown feijoas and is the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit (unlike gin or vodka, it doesn’t contain base ingredients of grain or potato). Sip the 49% ABV spirit over ice, add some soda water or get creative crafting a cocktail. RRP $89.99 for 500ml. feijoatree.co.nz
3 Craving some sunshine? If you can’t get to the islands this winter, get to the supermarket to grab a slab of seasonal cheer Pacifica style. Fresh on the shelves is Whittaker’s Mango & Coconut block made from caramelised white chocolate, chewy mango pieces and toasted coconut – a tropical paradise right there in the palm of your hand. The company has added the flavour to their permanent core range, so it’s destined to be popular. RRP $6.29 for 250g. whittakers.co.nz
4 There’s a brand new premium spirits label based in Waihi Beach that we have our eye on. And our lips! Wilderkin Spirits was founded by Jonathan and Cindy Clare, who love adventurous travels but have settled here in Aotearoa. The company produces its vodkas from a bespoke still brought over from Colorado. It uses organic potatoes, sugar and spring water as the foundation but its infused offerings are bound to strike a chord. The chilli version features homegrown chillies and the Wilderkin Honey-Infused Vodka (with honey from nearby Katikati) is floral and creamy on the nose with a long, sweet finish. RRP $79.95 for 700ml. wilderkinspirits.com
5 With winter wellbeing top of mind, getting enough sleep so that we can focus on the next day’s tasks is important. Bader Sleep is a blend of ingredients such as chamomile and magnesium, along with kava, that is made into a soothing hot drink with the flavour of green apple tea to support a restful night. Come morning who wouldn’t indulge in a chocolatey- tasting cuppa to rev up the grey matter? Bader Focus, with ingredients such as lion’s mane and ginkgo biloba, has the pep of coffee, without the caffeine. RRP $89 for 150g. baderbrand.com
6 Fresh feijoas may have been and gone all in a glut and a rush but you can still get your hit of this iconic fruit and support your gut health at the same time with Chia Sisters’ Prebiotic Feijoa Smoothie. The smoothie is made with feijoas and apples and contains an innovative natural supplement called Livaux that is clinically proven to help the beneficial bacteria in your gut flourish. RRP $4.99 for 350ml. chiasisters.co.nz
