Tarnuk Bush Foods and Flowers, South Gippsland, VIC

Tarnuk is run by the delightful Meredith and Gil Freeman whom I first met after discovering Mountain Pepper growing on my South Gippsland retreat.

Fascinated, I joined the local 'Prom Country Bushfoods' group to learn about this world of wonderful, exotic flavours I had never heard of, despite considering myself a gourmet.

Since then, I use Mountain Pepperberries in our home pepper grinder, and Lemon Myrtle Chicken - Poulet a la Myrtle au Citron - has become Monsieur Flavour's signature dish.

When the time came to create the tea blends, it was natural to me to consider including my favorite Australian ingredients.

From Tarnuk comes the organic Mountain Pepper leaf for our very Sultry Chai. (certified organic NASAA No. 3363)

The Tarnuk farm consists of nine acres of Australian indigenous 'food forest', enjoying deep fertile soil, and the rolling hills and skyscapes of the blue-gum country of the Strezlecki ranges. Registered with Land for Wildlife, the property is shared with over 50 species of native birds, wombats, blue tongue lizards and an occasional black wallaby, koala or echidna.

Facts: Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia Lanceolata)

Family:

Winteraceae

Native To:

Cool, moist, elevated areas in Tasmania and south-east Australia.

Part Used:

Leaves and fruit.
Leaves: aromatic dark green and shiny.
Fruit: pea sized, purple-black berries.

Flavour:

The leathery leaves offer a heat, with an unusual fragrant, spicy taste and a 'bushy' rainforest feel.

Wild Harvest/Cultivated Supplies:

Most supplies come from wild harvest.