1 The family behind Robbies pickles and preserves grow their own veges organically in Gore, and once cooked up into chutney, relish and jam they really do taste just like owner Josie’s nan used to make. The Apricot & Walnut Chutney is our particular favourite – try it as a ham glaze. $12 for 270g. robbies.nz
2 We’re excited about this latest release, Sawmill Low Carb Pale Ale. It’s fresh and hoppy, light and zesty with 50% fewer carbs and calories than mainstream pale ales. Definitely one for the beer fridge this summer. 24 x 330ml bottles for $85. sawmillbrewery.co.nz
3 Feed The Soul is proud to be the first pasta maker to use 100% local New Zealand ingredients, including durum wheat harvested in the Wairarapa region. We just love the nastrini tricolore – freshly made bronze-cut egg pasta that looks as good as it tastes, the vivid colours coming from fresh free-range pasture-raised eggs, beetroot and seaweed. $18 for 500g. feedthesoul.co.nz
4 Sip Imagination Wakame Seaweed Dry Gin and the initial aroma is juniper forward, fresh and sweet. On the palate you’ll taste a refreshing hit of citrus, then a sweetness and a sweet-salty finish with a definite tang of the ocean. Made from seaweed gathered from the Wellington and Wairarapa coasts and pure Kiwi rainwater, it’s distilled on the Kāpiti Coast. $30 for 750ml. imaginationgin.nz
5 This amazing plant-based product really does have the texture and taste of premium dairy-based butter (almost). Now Vutter Original is available in 120g mini blocks, wrapped in compostable paper. See recipe page 100. felizwholefoods.co.nz
6 Soon to become your yearly tradition, get set for the season with this beautifully handcrafted, limited-edition Christmas Cultured Butter from our clever friends at Bellefield Butter Co. Sweet, creamy and fragrant with vanilla and festive spice, toast on Christmas morning has never been better. $7.50 for 120g. bellefield.co.nz
7 Homemade appeal without the effort of doing it yourself, that’s where Augustines of Central comes in. The Rhubarb in Rosé ($22 for 580ml) – not too sweet and not too tart – is cooked to perfection in a rosé wine syrup. If savoury is more your style, the Pickled Asparagus ($17) in organic cider vinegar is a crispy, crunchy addition to antipasto, a cheese platter or salad year round. augustinesofcentral.com
8 Look out for these flavour-packed condiments from Native Kitchen. The Pāua XO ($25 for 130g) is a mildly spicy seafood sauce made with Tora Collective pāua from the Tora coast in South Wairarapa. The Crispy Chilli Oil ($20 for 250g) packs a punch of umami, and both add a massive flavour boost to rice, noodles, pasta, seafood – anything where you want to add a little spice to your life. nativekitchen.co.nz
