Indigenous Māori food ingredients
New Zealand chefs are increasingly using traditional Māori ingredients in their menus to create contemporary Kiwi cuisine. Here is a description of the more popular ingredients:
Pikopiko fern tips
Most of the wild fern varieties that grow in damp shady areas of New Zealand’s native bush are carcinogenic - of 312 different varieties, only seven varieties are edible. The edible fern fronds, known as bush asparagus, are pale green with brown speckles. Picked before the leaves unfold, the fronds add a unique 'forest' flavour to dishes.
Kawakawa
Kawakawa trees are mostly found in coastal areas of New Zealand in damp bush. The heart shaped leaves are dried, ground and then used to season, adding a rich ripened forest aroma with a light minted flavour.
Horopito
Horopito, often referred to as the New Zealand pepper tree, can be used to replace conventional pepper in cooked dishes. There are three varieties of horopito. Horopito leaves are green with red speckles.The spicy citrus flavour has a sweet apple fragrance.
Koura
Koura are fresh water crayfish closer in size to a king prawn than lobster.
Korengo
Korengo is seaweed which is either used in its raw state, or dried and used to season various dishes.
Puha (watercress)
Puha grows on the edge of fresh water rivers and creeks around New Zealand. It can be eaten raw or cooked, and has a mild mustard flavour.
Flaxseed oil
Cold pressed flaxseed oil made from the native New Zealand flax is an unrefined oil, nothing is added or removed. Flaxseed oil is a vegetarian source of Omega 3 and six essential fatty acids, Omega 9 antioxidants and vitamins.
Manuka
Manuka was named 'tea tree' by Captain James Cook and English botanist Joseph Banks when they found it in Mercury Bay in 1769. Manuka wood chips can be used to add flavour when smoking food, but it is best known as the source of Manuka honey and a growing list of products with medicinal and antiseptic properties.
More information:
New Zealand chef: Charles Royal
New Zealand's culinary culture
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