From red carpet to red apples
Photos Amy Hamblett
If you haven’t heard of apple butter, you’re not alone. This slow cooked apple spread, while very popular in parts of
the United States, is rarely found in New Zealand. Founder
of APPLETASTIC, Kathy Toon, moved from California to
Snells Beach over seven years ago with her kiwi husband. After a 16 year career as an award-nominated animation film editor she worked on locally made film, Mosley, before turning her hand to Apple-Saucery!
Craving the gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan spread for herself and her family that had been the perfect addition to pancakes, toast, granola or even ice cream throughout her childhood, Kathy decided to make it herself. “In the US applesauce is so much more than a sidekick for pork, it's a really big deal! In the summer and autumn, we ate it daily as a side dish. It's also used in baking and is a very popular, healthy lunchbox item or after school snack for kids of all ages with it being easy on the gut,” Kathy explains. “New Zealand grows a lot of apples, so I thought it was a win-win to put an extra spin on apples in Aotearoa!”
At the beginning of her applesauce journey, Kathy met another local parent while coaching her son’s touch rugby team, Bevan Morrison, who she later found out had grown up on an apple orchard. The Morrison Heritage Orchard in Warkworth is a local treasure where the family has been working the land since the early 1870s, now boasting an orchard with over 27 varieties of apples. Coming soon is a special collaboration with APPLETASTIC celebrating the orchard's rich local history and delicious apples with applesauce batches using their ‘Captain Kidd’ apples. Look out for the Morrison Heritage Orchard sticker for a taste of these delicious local apples!
APPLETASTIC is a purpose-founded business that makes choices that are good for both people and the planet at every step along the way. Choices such as using glass jars with easy to peel off labels, and sourcing local apples whenever possible. As a founding member of The Snells Beach Community Night, Kathy is passionate about connecting the local community and supporting public schools. APPLETASTIC has been donating to schools from the sale of their very first jar and Kathy hopes as the business grows, more profits can be used to help fund community projects, schools and tree plantings.
APPLETASTIC is currently available to purchase at The Matakana Market, The Food Market in Snells Beach, Charlie's Gelato and The Matakana Smokehouse. Your tastebuds will thank you!
www.Appletastic.co.nz | www.instagram.com/Appletastic_Official