Traditional foods from the Cocos Keeling Islands

On May 9, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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COCOS Keeling Islands, first discovered in 1609 were not inhabited until 1826 when Englishman Alexander Hare established a settlement on them. They are a typical coral atoll, the main two islands, Home Island and West Island are populated by around 600 people. The population consists of mainly Cocos Malay who were brought to the islands when the Clunies Ross established copra plantations. It is only since the Australian Government’s purchase of the remaining interests in the Islands in 1979 that the Cocos Malays have had extensive contact with the West Island. Home Island is mainly comprised of 470 Cocos Malay while West Island comprises of mainly 150 employees of various Australian Government Departments.
For over 160 years The Cocos Malays harvested a majority of their own foods, fish, sea salt, noni juice, coconut flower nectar and honey. Tony Lacy of Cocos Tropical Foods, a former wine maker has moved to the Islands with his family and is helping to re-establish some of their traditional food products. The aim is to encourage local producers to grow and process their artisan foods and to invigorate their local community which has an unemployment level of 65%.
For further information see Tony Lacy’s Yengari web site and the Cocos Tropical Foods

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Dairy Shorthorn included in the Australian Ark

On April 22, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE Ark of Taste is part of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity and travels the world collecting small scale quality productions threatened by industrial agriculture, environmental degradation and homogenization. In Australia we now have 6 products that have been listed on The Ark of Taste, the recent addition is the Dairy Shorthorn.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the hard work of Cherry Ripe, the Chair of the Ark in Australia, who continues to search out more products in Australia that are at risk of extinction.
To be included onto The Ark, products must have a distinctive quality in terms of taste, linked to the memory and identity of a group. The primary material of the foodstuff must be locally source. It must be linked environmentally, socio-economically and historically to a specific area. They must be produced in limited quantities and be threatened with either real or potential extinction.
The Dairy Shorthorn is the 6th addition to the Australian Ark of Taste. The Dairy Shorthorn is a worldwide critically endangered dual purpose breed of cattle, the origins of which can be traced back to 16th century Britain. They are the oldest pedigree registered breed in the world. They were one of the earliest British breeds of cattle introduced to Australia by early European settlers. Currently there are only approximately 200 registered pure bred pedigree breeding females.
For further information on Rare Breeds Trust of Australia.

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Victorian produce

On April 1, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE Field Guide to Victorian Produce, the Locavore edition has just been published. This guide connects growers to new markets and is full of genuine stories with a comprehensive list of the farmers, producers and their produce. There are 105 grower profiles, 179 producer profiles, 71 provider profiles, farm gates, farm stay and food trails in ten regions with illustrated maps. The lists follow the Victorian tourism regions and there are valuable maps and information on all the farmers markets in Victoria. This is the first of a series of annual state based produce guides and is entirely independent and editorially driven. As the Editor Ewan McEoin writes, ‘we plan to take one state at a time and to regain some of the balance that once existed between food production and consumption. For further information see their web site.

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Damaged apples and Cider

On March 29, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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ABC Bush Telegraph reports on the enterprise of cider maker Rich Coombes involving the Batlow Fruit Co-operative and the apple growers in the Batlow region near Wagga Wagga, NSW. Instead of the damaged fruit from the devastating storms late last year being left to rot or thrown out they have been used to make cider. Read further interview with Rich Coombes founder of the Batlow Brewing Company.
 The first orchards in Batlow were planted in 1855.

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Old varieties of Cider Apples in Australia

On March 22, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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WHEN Gary Watkins-Sully’s bought The Old Cheese Factory in Reisdale NSW and found some old varieties of cider apples on the property it resulted in a passionate drive to search out more old cider apple trees in the district.
He found nearby an old Cider Factory in ruins with old apple varieties still growing. This factory was established in 1850 and in use till 1925.
Watkins-Sully has recently released a traditional cider made from these apples called Wiltons Revival Cider.
David Pickering and Gary Watkins-Sully were interviewed on Bush Telegraph last Friday about the exciting discoveries. Read further
David Pickering, a technical officer of the Agricultural Department NSW who has studied orchards in France and England, presented his findings of the identity of 30 varieties of cider apples that have have been found in Australia. “With names like Antoinette, Belle Cauchoise, Blanchet, Clozette, French Crab, Frequin Rouge there is a good representation of French varieties for cider makers who want to explore French cider styles”
The two areas that cider apples have been found in are Tasmania and Braidwood NSW. Cider can be made from all apples but a good traditional cider needs apples that have a lot more tannin and acid.
The Old Cheese Factory is having an Heritage & Apple Cider Day in April 2012, read further

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Our farmers our future

On March 2, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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2012 is the Australian Year of the Farmer. Amongst some of their objectives are to establish closer ties between Australia’s rural and urban communities, encourage Australians to reflect on the origins of the food they consume every day and perpetuate the call to buy Australian produce. There is a dedicated web site with information about all the events that they are holding this year and an interesting video that explains more of what our farmers contribute.

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GMO interview

On March 1, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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ABC’s Late Night Live program with Philip Adams interviews Professor Gilles-Eric Seralini, Professor of molecular biology at the University of Caen in France and Dr. Paul Brent, Chief Scientist at Food Safety Australia New Zealand. Seralini has published over 100 scientific articles and he concludes that it is too soon to declare GMO’s safe for human consumption. Listen to the interview on this important subject.
Professor Seralini is giving three talks in Western Australia this weekend. See dates

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Bickley Harvest Festival

On February 22, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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DISCOVER the hidden Perth Hills, the 15th annual Bickley Carmel Harvest Festival will be held during the weekend of the 5th and 6th May. Situated approximately 35 minutes drive east of Perth in the Darling Ranges the beautiful Bickley and Carmel Valleys are a joy to discover. Visit participating producers such as Cosham Wines and Core Cider House and Highvale Biodynamic Orchard and take home fresh local produce. Further information here

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Taste Great Southern WA 2012

On February 20, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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TASTE Great Southern food festival was launched in Kings Park last Friday 17th February and this year will highlight 40 years of cool southern Rhine Rieslings and the Year of the Farmer. This festival will run for over a month. The program is included here.

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Global Gathering of Women Pastoralists

On February 16, 2012, in the nose, by pauline
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THE Global gathering of Women Pastoralists was attended by over 160 women from 32 countries in India in November 2010. Regardless of what was being discuseed, they looked at the issue holistically, the inclusion of all genders, but still recognising the importance of the women’s perspective. At the end of the meeting a Declaration was formed presenting practical solutions to the issues that affect them. They are part of a world wide community of pastoralists peoples that is 300 million strong.
Michael Benanav, author and world renown photographer’s article can be read here .Further information about this meeting.

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