This Christmas, why not build a hamper that’s meaningful, local, and seriously delicious – using a fantastic range of non-perishable products? Better yet, give it a uniquely Australian twist and create a bush tucker (native foods) hamper that celebrates local flavours and the artisans who produce them.
A perfect place to start is Playing With Fire Native Foods. Rebecca’s stall is a treasure trove for hamper-fillers: flavoured oils, cordials, jams, syrups, vinegars, and teas, alongside fruit powders and spice blends. The cordials in particular make a delicious, refreshing summer drink, with flavours such as wild rosella, finger lime, and ooray plum. You’ll also find a beautiful range of wild fermented honey vinegars, infused with native thyme, Ooray plum, or lemon myrtle – a genuinely standout addition to any hamper. And for a gorgeous finishing touch, Playing With Fire also has tea towels featuring native animals showing the six seasons of Bundjalung Country – practical, giftable, and unmistakably Australian.
Next, keep the native theme going with Rainforest Foods, home of the mighty macadamia in all its glorious forms: raw, roasted, turned into pastes, macadamia spread, or chocolate-coated for a sweet finish. They also stock an impressive range of vinegars, sauces, and jams, including the ever-versatile Davidson plum vinegar – tangy, vibrant, and surprisingly delicious on salads, veggies, roasted meats, and even as a finishing splash on grains.
You can add even more pantry-friendly goodness from Forrest Organics, too, including more macadamia nuts and spreads that store well and always please a crowd.
To tie the whole hamper together, consider adding a cookbook by Mindy Woods, an Indigenous Masterchef winner and author, who often reminds people that we simply need to get used to using native ingredients, in the same way many of us embraced Asian flavours ‘back in the day.’ And the best part? Scientists are still uncovering the health benefits of bush foods: Kakadu plum, for example, is famously rich in vitamin C; and antioxidants are another reason to make native ingredients part of everyday cooking, not just a once-a-year novelty.
Find Playing with Fire, Rainforest Food and Forrest Organics every Friday at Mullum Farmers Market from 7am to 11am and you can find Rainforest Foods and Forrest Organics every Tuesday at New Brighton Farmers Market from 8am to 11am.
