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Are Bush Foods Superfoods?

July 9, 2014 By Julie Weatherhead Leave a Comment

bush food superfoodsAustralian bush foods show tremendous potential in many ways particularly in providing health benefits, so I think they could be superfoods. Testing at the CSIRO and comparing to Blueberry has revealed that plants such as Lemon Myrtle, Anise Myrtle and Mountain Pepper (these grow well in Victorian gardens)  contain high levels of antioxidants, Vitamin E, Vitamin B and lutein (keeps the macular in the eye healthy). These plants also contain very high levels of micronutrients such as Magnesium, Zinc and Calcium.

The best news is that these benefits are released with heat, so all you have to do is to put a few fresh leaves into a teapots, add hot water a brew yourself a pot of goodness.  The fresh leaves can also be chopped up and put into any dish you fancy to add wonderful flavours.

I like to use Lemon Myrtle to replace lemongrass in curries, added to sweet muffins, or steeped in hot milk to make wonderful custards, pannacotta and ice cream. Lemon Myrtle is an essential ingredient to my Warrigal Greens Pesto recipe.

Mountain Pepper gives a lovely pepper/chilli kick to any dish, have a go yourself and experiment with these amazing flavours.

To grow Lemon Myrtle give it a little protection in the garden – to the south of a larger shrub, it prefers not to be hit with hot or cold winds, keep it watered for its first summer and also feed with fish and seaweed emulsion and mulch every 3 or so months.

Copyright © 2014 Julie Weatherhead, Peppermint Ridge Farm.  All rights reserved.

At Peppermint Ridge Farm we are passionate about Australian native foods and spices.  We run bush food cooking classes, tours of our Australian Spice Garden, and foodie events on site in Tynong North, Victoria.  We are also available for private functions. Find us on our website: www.peppermintridgefarm.com.au.

Filed Under: Native Plants and Spices Tagged With: lemon myrtle, Mountain Pepper, warrigal greens

About Julie Weatherhead

Julie Weatherhead runs the Living Classroom at Peppermint Ridge Farm, the Cornucopia Living Heritage Centre and the Cornucopia Consulting Group with husband Anthony Hooper. She is an Environmental Scientist and Ecologist who has researched and developed the use of ecosystems to enhance organic vegetable gardening. Julie and Anthony have led workshops at Peppermint Ridge since 1996, teaching others about bush food, organic vegetable gardening and sustainable land management. They have developed unique methods of gardening to save time, water and money.

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HIGHLIGHTING

  • Native Pantry Cooking School Saturday May 14 2022 $160.00 (incl. GST)
  • Tour and Taste Event Sunday June 5 2022 $110.00 – $120.00 (incl. GST)
  • Tour and Taste Event Sunday July 10 2022 $110.00 (incl. GST)

NEWS FROM THE FARM

  • We have limited quantities of freshly picked finger limes available-200g and 500g. PURCHASE HERE!
  • The nursery now stocks a wide range of advanced native food plants including sexed mountain peppers, strawberry gum, lemon myrtle, finger lime and anise myrtle!
  • We provide a complete native food garden design service for schools, early learning centres and community groups. We can assist with plant selection and garden design, through to supply and delivery of plants from our nursery. Our interpretive signs provide valuable information about the plants, adding to the educational value of the gardens.
  • Peppermint Ridge Farm is proud to support the Kat Muscat Fellowship. The fellowship provides funding  support to a young writer or editor. https://expressmedia.org.au/programs/the-kat-muscat-fellowship/
  • Check out this article from Broadsheet https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/travel/article/bookmark-eight-lesser-known-wonders-gippsland

 

GIFT VOUCHERS

Our gift vouchers are a popular choice if you are looking for a different experience for a friend or loved one. The vouchers can be used for our regular tour and taste lunches, Native Pantry cooking classes, to purchase native food plants from the nursery, native food spices and teas or our book, Australian Native Food Harvest.

Contact us to arrange gift vouchers.

Australian Native Food Harvest by Julie Weatherhead
Australian Native Food Harvest: a guide for the passionate cook and gardener. Purchase online now!

PRESENTATIONS ON NATIVE BUSHFOODS

Our presentations to libraries and community groups provide an opportunity to learn more about Australia’s wonderful native food plants:

  • history of native food plants
  • plants that grow best in your garden
  • growing and propagating native food plants
  • culinary uses

We also attend a number of field days, garden expos and festivals across Victoria.

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Peppermint Ridge Farm acknowledges the Kulin Nation of peoples as the first inhabitants and the traditional custodians of this land where we live, learn and work.

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