On the menu

In the past few years, we've been able to get some excellent vanilla extracts and pastes.

The newest to come on to the market is the premium British brand Taylor and Colledge, which has been specialising in vanilla products since 1897. Their fair-trade vanilla beans are sourced from islands off the east coast of Africa, Madagascar, Comoros Islands and Reunion.

 

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It's similar with peanut butter.

As people look for peanut butter that doesn't contain sugar or other additives, New Zealand producers are making pure peanut butters

from Australian or Argentinian-grown peanuts.

100% Nutz, a smoother style of peanut butter, is ground in Auckland and Pic's is a crunchier style ground in Nelson. Both are available in good supermarkets.

 

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Barker's, who make fruit and vegetable products in Geraldine, have produced a new spiced eggplant chutney that's mild but

flavoursome. Try some with thick yoghurt or cream cheese for a dip or serve it on grilled chicken or a frittata.