The new Gold Rush

There is a new 100% Kiwi made product on the market that is poised to take the food and liqueur markets by storm. It is called Manuka Gold and has been created by Exotica Enterprise.

It is made from honey drawn from Blue Borage flowers, which grow wild in New Zealand's South Island high country. It is then enriched with grape brandy and distilled extracts from the highly beneficial Manuka Tree.

The secret to Manuka Gold’s growing success is that it works on many levels. For instance, the Blue Borage plant is widely considered to have many health benefits and when you throw in the Manuka then this perception is increased. I am not quite sure how the alcohol component comes into this though!

Perhaps .more importantly, it is an excellent drink. In a recent TiZwine.com tasting the panel considered it ‘....delicious with a deep, richness of flavour and a velvety texture whilst not being too cloying. Essential to serve it chilled, its sweet, creamy style it sure to garner a significant following.’ It has also received recommendations from Bob Campbell and Peter Saunders.

On top of this, Manuka Gold is also gaining popularity with chefs and bartenders alike. The chefs see it as an excellent ingredients for their dishes be it as part of a marinade for meat or as the alcohol part of a dessert. Indeed celebrity chefs Brian Campbell and Peter Thornley are already using it extensively. Bartenders are also using it in cocktails and the feedback has been excellent. I suggest that you try a ‘Summer Breeze’ – 15ml vodka, 15ml Manuka Gold and 10 ml fresh lime juice mixed and served over ice – decadent!

So where to now? Well Darius Karani the entrepreneur owner of Exotica Enterprise has already established a market for it in eastern Asia and the sub-continent and is now looking further afield in Europe and America. Watch this space.....