Iconic Kiwi nibbles

[threemonkeys]

I just realised that I am probably only going to make one more shopping expedition before I head to cons. Following on from discussion on this post, I promised gillpolack that I would fetch a few iconic and unique New Zealand foods across the Tasman to Conflux. Before I head out shopping I thought I would get final feedback from y'all about what I should take. Conflux attendees may well want to share.

Obviously I am constrained by practicality (no L&P or Hokey Pokey ice cream) and Aussie customs regulations (no NZ apples etc*) so that means processed foods only. Chocolate fish obviously but also pineapple lumps or grain waves? Perhaps New Zealand's variation on Marmite?

Any thoughts?


*Obviously NZ apples are available everywhere in the world except Australia but that is a whole other discussion.

Comments

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

So you aren't happy little vegemites in NZ?

(I'm a happy little vegemite at the thought of the tasting of NZ cultural icons :).)

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

We are - we have both. Vegemite and Marmite sit beside each other on the supermarket shelves. Some people are quite adamant in their preference for one over the other - particularly Marmite zealots who won't touch Vegemite. To my thinking Marmite has a stronger taste than Vegemite.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

Mine too. And I am adamant kosher vegemite tastes very slightly different to ordinary vegemite.

Maybe I should find you a small tub of kosher vegemite to replace the hole in your baggage left when we have eaten all that yummy NZ produce?

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Well I was planning to fill that hole with books. :-)

The words "blind taste test" spring to mind though.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

We need victims. Except maybe it would be PC to call them blind taste testers.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

differently abled, non visual, taste testers

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

:)

[markdeniz.livejournal.com]

We're on our way to Australia later this year and I've always wanted to do NZ, maybe now is the time...

... give me a chance to chuck stones at the old Neill household too!

[markdeniz.livejournal.com]

Marmite is grim though!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

NZ marmite is not the same as the British version. Kiwi and Brit Marmites vary much more than Kiwi marmite and Vegemite.

There is a speciality shop in Wellington which sells things like British Marmite and other such things (jaffa cakes, walkers crisps, birds custard etc).

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Sam Neill lives in Queenstown which is a tourist city in spectacular alpine country with lots of nice sharp rocks lying around.

If you come to Wellington (home of the local film industry), I can ensure you get a good sampling of the local beers :-)

[cricketk.livejournal.com]

Marmite is evil!

Evil!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

bwaaahahaha

So now you see my plan. Introduce the poor unsuspecting vegemite eaters to our Marmite and stand back to watch the reaction. :-)

[markdeniz.livejournal.com]

Aha... may be worth a try then...

[markdeniz.livejournal.com]

Cool, it would be nice to meet up too!

British Marmite

[netzl.livejournal.com]

My Mate in the NZ supermarket is the same as the British Marmite, for those like me that can't stand the kiwi knock-off!