Thinking about taking a trip to New Zealand? Wondering which of the local delicacies to try? Then start with our list of the 5 most popular foods in New Zealand with a New Zealand online visa.
New Zealand is a country that is often overlooked when we think about world class cuisine. It is because the island nation is so remote. While citizens of this place do emigrate, the country has been on the receiving end of immigration.
New Zealand is well known for its incredible pure landscapes and lively multi-cultural lifestyle. It is also a hidden gem for food lovers. The Kiwi food scene is a scrumptious melting pot of rich diverse culture with delicious creamy dairy products, interesting Maori classics etc.
Here are the top 5 popular dishes we have discussed below. Try all of them and decide which your favorite is.
Hāngi: A Traditional Māori Feast
It is a traditional Māori way of cooking food using heated rocks, either buried in a pit oven or piled above ground. The food is covered in protective leaves or foil before the pit or mound is covered in soil.
The slow cooking technique infuses a smoky and earthy flavor into the meat and vegetables. The food is wrapped in leaves, usually banana. The flavor permeates the food for an added layer of deliciousness.
Hāngi is more than just food. It has cultural and ceremonial significance in New Zealand. If you are lucky enough to experience one, enjoy it.
Foods cooked in an Hāngi include chicken, pork, and mutton, with pumpkin, potato, and sweet potato. Rotorua is one of the best places to enjoy this cultural feast.
You can also taste steam-cooked food in naturally heated geothermal pools. You might also get to savour a delicious Hāngi steamed pudding for dessert.
2. Pavlova: New Zealand’s Iconic Dessert
No list of New Zealand foods would be complete without this iconic dish. The food is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. The meringue based dessert is crisp on the outside and marshmallow soft on the inside.
It comes topped with fresh whipped cream and a variety of fruits like kiwi fruit and strawberries. The pav is a cultural Down Under icon, sparking friendly debates with close neighbors and mates across the ditch over its origins.
You must try this dish when in New Zealand with a New Zealand online visa. Top the pavlova before serving to keep it from getting too soft. The top of it will collapse inevitably. They are normally topped with sweetened whipped cream, a tart topping like lemon card and some fresh berries.
Spread the topping inside the well you made in the pavlova. Remember it is kind of a nest to hold all those toppings in place. Slice the pavlova with a sharp knife and serve. It may crack slightly as you cut into it but mostly stay together.
You will love this show stopping dessert for sure. Get a NZ visa from the UK and experience the delicious food journey.
3. Lamb Roast: A Kiwi Favorite
The sheep-to-human ratio is at its lowest in nearly 200 years, but still the highest in the world. The vast majority of the sheep meat of the country is more than 90%. It is exported around the world but still leaves plenty for Kiwis to enjoy.
The most popular lamb dish was invented by early colonial settlers. Back then it was called colonial goose. Eating a goose at Christmas used to be very common but the birds were rare in New Zealand.
Lamb was not in short supply at that time. The inventive settlers used to stuff a deboned leg of lamb with dried apricots and honey along with herbs and stuffing. Then it was marinated in red wine and cooked.
The result looked goose like; hence the name. Colonial goose is not as popular as it used to be. New Zealand citizens still enjoy lamb dishes in many forms.
4. Seafood Delicacies: Green-Lipped Mussels and Bluff Oysters
New Zealand is home to both Pacific and Bluff oysters. It is the latter that have gained international fame and are most closely associated with the seafood loving nation.
Bluff oysters have been gathered in the Foveaux strait in the south of New Zealand for more than 100 years. It gained popularity from the town of Bluff, a settlement that owes its existence and growth to the oyster industry.
These are only harvested between March and August each year, being subject to several restrictions to protect stocks. It is not just Bluff oysters that makes them sought after. They are considered to be the best tasting oysters in the world. They are known for their plump and creamy texture with intense minerality.
Green lipped mussels are named for the green hue around the edge of the shell. These are another traditional Māori staple that is eaten with puha. These mussels are farmed around New Zealand and are seen as a valuable commodity for export with extremely strict quality controls.
Demand has increased for green lipped mussels in the last few decades. People believe it to contain effective anti-inflammatory properties. Many people now use this food as a dietary supplement to fight joint inflammation and arthritis.
It is true that this food contains the above mentioned nutrients. But there is no scientific agreement as to their effectiveness at fighting specific illnesses.
5. Kumara: A Staple with Versatility
It is one type of food and not an entire meal. A kumara is a sweet potato to the rest of the world. But this tuber has great cultural significance to the early settlers of New Zealand.
There is a consensus on the origin of kumara in New Zealand – many claim the first Polynesian settlers introduced it around the 13th century. It was brought from South America proving historic contact between the 2 distant continents.
Modern research indicates it is possible kumara made its way across the Pacific without human intervention but the fact remains that it has been a staple food in New Zealand for centuries. Get a New Zealand online visa and explore this dish seamlessly.
It is most commonly found in 4 varieties – red, gold, orange, and purple with varying sweetness and texture. Kumara is versatile and used in salads, curries, and stews.
It is cut into fries and wedges also. It is a popular component in meat-free dishes for a cuisine that is not vegetarian friendly.
Bonus: Pairing Traditional Dishes with Kiwi Drinks
Now let us know some juices that you can discover with a New Zealand online visa.
Lemon and Paeroa is a popular New Zealand soft drink. It is commonly called L&P. The juice is made from lemon juice and carbonated mineral water from the town of Paeroa.
It is refreshing and a little tangy flavor makes it a favorite among Kiwis. You can get the juice in supermarkets and cafes across the country.
Feijoa juice is a refreshing drink. It is made from the feijoa fruit. It is popular for its unique and aromatic flavor, combining pineapple, guava, and strawberry notes. This juice is popular during the feijoa season which is held between March and June.
It offers a taste of distinctive fruit varieties in New Zealand.
Conclusion
The culinary delights of New Zealand indicate its rich natural bounty and cultural diversity. From the traditional flavors of a Hangi feast to the sweet indulgence of feijoa juice, each dish holds a story of the land and its people.
NZ visa from UK will help you experience this culinary journey seamlessly.
New Zealand promises a culinary journey that is as memorable as its breathtaking landscapes. Explore these items to get a meaningful taste with a New Zealand online visa.
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