The Scents and Flavors of Sydney

It is nearly the end of autumn. Winter is setting in. The temperature is starting to dip and nights are colder. It has started to rain. But as we move
around all those shopping centers, we are always pleasantly assaulted by the many scents and flavors of this big, cosmopolitan city. At the train stations there are flower kiosks, brimming with all the blooms one can think of, emitting a most exquisite blend of floral fragrances. There are lillies, not white but green, buds and in full bloom; there are roses, in bunches of reds and whites; orchids in the most exotic shades; yellow chrysanthemums; graceful tulips and glorious violets at prices ranging from A$1.99 to more than A$12.

In Food Halls and big supermarkets, you smell the delicious and ingenious mix of herbs and spices, a tempting collection of the many tastes from all over the world–Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia. It is an incredible selection, where cheeses come blended with dill, basil and olives, where breads come flavored with rosemary and yes, more olives. Bread-freak that we are, we could not resist the offerings of Il Gian Fornaio bakery and pastry cum coffee shop right next to Woolworth in Macquarie Center. For A$4 plus (each) we were tempted by the olive bread which is like our monay, but sprinkled with chopped olives, and the potato-rosemary loaf. Shopping for food in Sydney is truly a great joy. Wherever you are there is a big mall nearby–the Westfield Chain, the Macquarie Center or the Chadswood Chase, among others.

And should you have very accommodating friends like our hostess, you could be driven all the way to the fantastic outlet called The Essential Ingredient on Australia Street in an area called Camperdown. This is a perfect haven that meets all the culinary needs and cravings of any foodie. Set up like a warehouse, we could not contain our excitement upon seeing the multitude of goods on display. Name it, they have it, from pots and pans to Thai sauces. The management has scoured the world for culinary specialties, thus they have supplies from the Netherlands, the US, Spain , Italy and Thailand, among others. And if you are in the food business (show them your card) you will get a 35 percent discount immediately.

Healthy eating has also swept Australia. The Essential Ingredient cautions about cooking and eating very rich food. Their concern is for healthy dietary attributes rather than taste. But we may add that with all the spices and natural ingredients available, one can eat well and stay healthy.

So we went through the outlet with a fine-toothed comb, walking through the displays from end to end, picking up what we hope will not be too heavy to bring home. Cascina San Cassiano is a brand from Alba, Northern Italy, an artisan producer that employs traditional methods in preserving vegetables and fruits to make a range of sauces, creams and patés in attractive bottles, such as antipasto, artichokes, olives and many more.

In this outlet we found what we have been missing from La Tienda in Manila. The Paella Spice Mix of Especias Naturales from Caceres, Spain at A$6.75, much higher than La Tienda’s. This is a blend of garlic, saffron, paprika, parsley and thyme. Sprinkled into your paella, this will give you the authentic taste.

There is a superb collection of balsamic vinegars to suit your needs and your pocket. They come from Angelo and Elda Giacobazzi from Italy, bottled and boxed nicely for gift presentation.

From Vietnam there is the rice paper, square or round. From Thailand are sauces and noodles and from Japan, a lot of their condiments. Then there is the famous Australian Jeffersons Teas, which are referred to much like wines–first and foremost a way of living. This is a product of an Australian family that has been in the tea business for more than 20 years. The variations include the Breakfast (a black tea from Northern Queensland blended in Tasmania), Eucalyptus (also black but with leaves from the Northern Bush) and Tropical (fine leaf black flavored with pineapple, coconut and orange). Contained in colorful bags, they are packed in threes or twos, the former costing A$18.50.