Central Tastes are stronger, cleaner, reflecting the most extreme environment in New Zealand; acting as a crucible that ensures that the quality is exceptional.

 

Central Otago’s specialist food industry is small in scale, but makes up for it by producing the highest quality product. 

 

The best olive oil, saffron, wine, preserves or honey - you will find it right here.

 

Preserves

Unique combinations of tastes that heighten and highlight the products of Central found nowhere else.  Thyme, cherries, walnuts and other distinctive Central flavours!  For high quality preserves of distinction, you won’t do better than these:

 

 

 

Fruit juices

One of the best places to grow fruit is one of the best places to make superior fruit juice.  Clean tastes that quench and refresh.  Central Otago fruit juice makers use only local tree ripened fruit to deliver a real taste experience.

 

Honey

Honey

Taste sensation from the fields and tussock lands of Central Otago to you.  Unique honey flavours from unique sources such as bugloss and thyme as well as clover.  Central Otago’s harsh climate ensures that this is honey on the edge.

 

 

Saffron

Saffron, the king of spices!  Rare and tantalising!  The dried stigmas of the saffron crocus give food a visual and taste zing.  The saffron crocus thrives in Central Otago’s unique climate, resulting in saffron that is cleaner, stronger and brighter than almost all other saffron.  A premium product from a premium specialty food region.

 

Olive Oil

The Greeks gave us wine and olives.  Just as pinot noir grapes have found a unique match in the arid Mediterranean climate of Central Otago, so have olives.  They are particularly suited to the long warm and dry summers that seem to last for ever.  As a result, the presses give us olive oil of a strength and quality that can’t be found anywhere else in New Zealand.  If you want the best olive oil, you want Central Otago olive oil.

 

Wild Game

There’s Game in them thar hills!  Just as one person’s trash is another persons treasure, rabbits, hares and other game creatures are a pest for many, but a tasty treat for others.  The dry, tussock and thyme covered hills and mountains of Central Otago are an ideal home for many introduced species.  There’s nothing farm grown or grass-fed about this meat.  Straight from the hills to you!

 

 

Garlic

Eaten by ancient Egyptians, extolled by Pliny the Elder and a staple throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia, garlic is known for both its unmistakeable pungent smell and flavour and its health properties.  Garlic is a great source of Vitamins B & C, Selenium, Manganese and has been demonstrated to prevent the build up of Cholesterol as well as having anti-inflammatory properties. 

 

Central Otago is the ideal place to grow garlic.  The continental climate is perfect for the development of high quality garlic.  For superior quality garlic there is only one place to look.

 

Specialty Meats

The day of the specialist butcher or delicatessen is over – not likely!       With the inspiration of Central’s tastes and the demands of an increasingly discerning community, there are increasing opportunities for those who like spend a bit more time  

 

 

Organics & Fresh Herbs

We have long suspected it, and now it has been confirmed.  Central Otago is the best place in New Zealand to grow organics.  The combination of cold winters and hot dry summers ensure that most of the things that need to be sprayed for elsewhere don’t even get a chance to establish a foothold here.  This means organic fruit and vegetables as good in appearance as elsewhere – but with those special things we look for in organics – great taste without all the good things washed out.  Central Otago organics are as good as any you will find anywhere.

 

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: The information provided by this directory is deemed to be as accurate as possible and the Central Otago District Council is not responsible for content or omission thereof.  Inclusion in this directory is neither an endorsement nor recommendation by the Central Otago District Council. 

 

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