Das Juice, Redfern (6 Dec 2018)

66 Regent St, Redfern NSW 2016
https://www.instagram.com/dasjuice/

Saving the ugly fruit in Redfern

The new juice kids on the block are doing a great job in saving the ugly fruit from landfill. Love the idea and since they're from Papa Gede's Bar I'm hoping they'll also create Das Cocktail down the track. My healthy start to the day was a Green Street Juice - pear, mint, lemon, ginger, spinach, kale, parsley, cucumber ($7, $1 refund for return of bottle). I asked if I drank it on the spot can I just pay $6 which they agreed to. I enjoyed the flavour and the other ready to drink cold pressed juice options in the fridge looked good. I'm hoping they'll expand to sell their juices in cafes around town, especially in the city for the lunch time crowd.

Dutch Smuggler, Broadway Shopping Centre, Broadway (28 Aug 2016)

Level 3, Broadway Shopping Centre, 1 Bay St, Broadway NSW 2007
https://www.facebook.com/dutchsmuggler/
https://www.instagram.com/dutchsmuggler/

Coffee oasis in Broadway

Good coffee in Broadway Shopping Centre isn't the first thing I would expect to find but a coffee tip by Michelle @saint_anderson_cafe brings me to check out this lovely coffee oasis on Level 3. My Cappuccino ($3.60) was good and uses Sovereign Coffee Roasters served in a nice Kaz ceramic cup and saucer. The Botanica cold pressed juice of Watermelon with apple and lemon ($7) hits the spot for a refreshing and healthy drink. Babyccinos are free which is great and wasn't expecting that from such a nice fit out. They're served in a paper cup with a lid by friendly service minus a marshmallow for the little ones. These guys also look after Abana Espresso Kiosk in Martin Place which are a popular spot for a coffee fix in the CBD but this is now their flagship store. Spotted nice looking salads, ready made sandwiches and tempting sweet treats.

'Immunity' at Pressed Juices, Surry Hills (19 July 2016)

336 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
http://www.pressedjuices.com.au

Fighting the winter blues

As they say good things come in small packages and this little bottle of Immunity ($5) packs quite a punch of healthiness. Comes with orange, lemon, ginger, turmeric, kakadu plum and black pepper. Has a very lemony citrus flavour and packs a spicy kick of ginger and black pepper. I really like the taste but it's probably a bit of an acquired taste being quite strong. It's only small so I guess can be considered quite expensive for the amount you get but I think it's worth it if it's going to keep you healthy. There's lots of other interesting cold pressed juices available to suit everyones taste. I haven't really found a flavour I don't like yet at this place but I haven't tried the entire range.

Camilo: Extra Virgin Olive Oils and Sea Salts, Teesdale Vic (13 Jan 2011)

432 Bakers Lane, Teesdale Victoria 3328

http://camilo.com.au

Highly awarded olive oil

Harvest methods are gentle on the fruit and their olives are cold pressed immediately on-site, producing delicious, fresh and natural extra virgin olive oil.

Thanks to Anne Rathjen (business manager) and Joan McGovern (managing director) from Camilo for approaching me to try their award winning Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Honey Balsamic Glaze and Olive Salt. Arriving in a tightly packaged box it was time to taste test amongst my work colleagues with some freshly baked sourdough baguette for dipping. Having just been awarded 11 medals for their products between the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth Fine Food Awards I was very interested to try.

One of the standout oils that impressed most of the tasters was the distinctive and refreshing Blood-Orange infused olive oil which was also one of my favourites. The Garlic infused olive oil was also well liked and if dipped into the Olive Salt or Spanish Olive Salt made with Murray River Salt Flakes gave that extra hit of flavour. We did find the flavoured salts quite salty so having them in very small moderation was the key to obtaining a good balance on the palate but perhaps are better used as a condiment or in cooking. I think they’ll be great with ripe tomatoes like a tried at the MasterChef Live SAXA stand. The Ligurian olive oil has won a few awards including Silver in the Sydney Fine Food Awards (small commercial) and Silver in the Royal Melbourne Show Fine Food Awards (single estate medium) and possessed a clean taste which matched nicely when dipped in the popular Honey Balsamic Glaze made with honey from Camilo’s own property hives. The Fruity Blend olive oil was slightly different to the Ligurian and as implied had a slightly fruitier note.

In the end the Blood-Orange infused and Garlic infused olive oils were the most popular and would work well as a dipping oil or as part of a salad dressing while the Ligurian and Fruit Blend oils were possibly considered more for cooking with and for salad dressing. Apparently Camilo also produce olives in different flavours of Sicilian, chilli, sweet Thai & lime and garlic, and lime & chilli, which sound pretty yummy and might be worth trying.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Premium quality, Cold pressed, Tasty infused flavoured oils, Award winning, Australian made

CONS: No NSW stockists listed and mostly available in Victoria

MUST TRY: Blood-Orange infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive Salt

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Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Honey Balsamic Glaze and Olive Salts to sample

(Left to Right) Ligurian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fruity Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Blood-Orange infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive Salt, Spanish Olive Salt

Olive Salt

Spanish Olive Salt

Honey Balsamic Glaze

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