Kawakawa: is more of a healing herb. It is purported to relieve stomach pains and indigestion, particularly where due to over-eating. Kawakawa leaf applications were also used topically for bruises and rheumatism, the pain of neuralgia and nettle stings, as well as for eczema. As an herb for cooking I find there is very little flavour.
Horopito has a more interesting background. It is said to have a more "peppery taste" but my god is it ever so mild! Horopito was traditionally used by the Maori people of New Zealand to treat stomach pain and diarrhoea, this is probably due to its astringent (tissue tightening) and antiseptic properties. Skin complaints were treated using bruised leaves that had been steeped in water or chewed before application. The peppery constituents of Horopito stimulate the circulation when it is applied topically, and also taken internally. Topical uses include fungal infections, such as Candida albicans and ringworm; wounds, cuts and burns; painful bruises and joint inflammations; skin diseases and as an insect repellent. Fresh leaves were also chewed for toothache.
Before I wrote these two herbs off my list, Field days had KONO. This brand boasted pre-cooked NZ green lipped mussels flavoured with Kawakawa or Horopito.
These pre-cooked beauties were 8 to package and were selling for $4 each or alternatively 4 packs for $10. Great bargain either way - we went for the 4 packs for $10. The flavours were:
- Lime & Kawakawa,
- Chili & Horopito,
- Garlic & Butter then last...
- Manuka smoke flavour & kelp.
Tonight Steve flipped the oven on and began baking the Lime & Kawakawa and the Chili & Horopito flavoured mussels. He steamed broccolini and prepared a fresh garden salad to accompany the mussels. We ate this with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc. The meal was lovely but my tastebuds were only able to detect the more dominant flavours of Lime and Chili. Why is tasting Kawakawa and Horopito so hard?
Should I give up on these native spices??
Well, before I do, there is still another pairing to play around with. I intend one last experiment. If that doesn't work - we will only be growing these native herbs for either medicine or garden hedges!