Australia produces some of the most incredible and unique flavours in the world – Wattleseed, Lemon Myrtle and Strawberry Gum to name just a few of the tastiest. Haven’t come across this wild bunch before? Or felt too uncomfortable to use them in your cooking? Let me introduce you to 3 of my favourites to get you started.
I’ve also put together a tasty recipe for an easy DIY Australian Christmas gift that your friends & family will absolutely love.
Strawberry Gum
What an incredible Australian flavour! Strawberry Gum is a native gum tree that grows naturally in parts of NSW. Its leaves offer the most beautiful aroma and flavour – a combination of strawberry & passionfruit with a hint of eucalyptus.
Strawberry Gum is beautiful in desserts such as marinated berries, ice cream, pavlova and whipped cream.
Lemon Myrtle
One of the most well-known Australian native ingredients, lemon myrtle is an incredible Australian plant found in sub-tropical rainforests throughout central and south-eastern QLD.
Lemon Myrtle is easy to use and will fast become a staple in your pantry. Use as a spice rub or marinade on any meats. Use in oils and dressings for salads and green veggies. Delicious in cakes, slices, shortbread and desserts.
Aniseed Myrtle
This spice will surprise you – it is Australia’s very own aniseed flavour that grows in rainforest areas of eastern Australia. Even liquorice haters love this one!
A relative of lemon myrtle, it is strong in aroma and perfect for infusing oils and dressings. For sweet use it is amazing in shortbread & dairy based desserts such as ice cream & panna cotta.
So now it’s over to you. Spark up your own connection with these flavours and get cooking. Trust me, you’ll be asking yourself “where have you been my whole life?!” – and that’s the right question to be asking!
Embracing our native flavours ignites a deeper connection to Australia and honours our incredible Australian food story, a story that has been told for thousands of years.
DIY Australian Christmas Gift Idea – Australian Bush Sugars
This is a super simple recipe and an easy way to introduce bushfoods to your baking.
The Bush Sugars are infused with delicious Australian flavours, easy to use on any dessert and the perfect way to finish your favourite sweet dishes! I love to sprinkle it over my brownies, fruit salads, tarts and cakes.
If you love creating homemade Christmas gifts these Bush Sugars make the perfect present for your favourite foodie and baker.
I make a set of 3 Bush Sugars for each gift
You will need:
- 3 clean and sanitised glass jars that will hold one cup of icing sugar (I use jam jars)
- 3 pieces of cute fabric cut into circles that will fit the top of your jars
- 3 thin rubber bands
- Brown string
- Paper and pens to create labels – or you can wiz them up on the computer
Ingredients for each Bush Sugar
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp of one Australian bushfood spice
(For my 3 bush sugars I use Strawberry Gum, Lemon Myrtle and Aniseed Myrtle)
Method
- In a bowl, mix the spice and icing sugar thoroughly
- Fill your jar
- Finish by securing your fabric with the rubber band, tie on your string and add your label
- Now that they’re looking pretty, they are ready to place under the Christmas tree!
At Saltbush Kitchen we are addicted to the flavours of our Australian landscape… Pepperberry, lemon myrtle, wattleseed, the tasty list goes on! We create products that grab you by the taste buds and provide easy ways to introduce Australian flavours into your own kitchen.
Saltbush Kitchen is the fruition of owner Brigid Corcoran exploring her own connection with Australia “Creating and evolving Saltbush Kitchen is very much about defining who I am as an Australian and deepening my connection to Australia. I am influenced and inspired by my Irish heritage, by my contemporaries and by the First Nations of this beautiful land.”
Brigid has spent 7 years learning about, and experimenting with, Australian bushfoods. After loads of fun and so many delicious foodie moments, Brigid has curated a food range that invites you to dive deep into your own connection with Australia. Our products are designed to complement every cook’s kitchen – the rookie, the cook and even the show-off chef.
We are dedicated to shaping our Australian Story through food & art. We live our story by collaborating and creating innovative products that scream Australia.
Check out our story at www.saltbushkitchen.com.au