Introduction
Working within the NWF group, Thidi and Silvia were able to provide us with valuable insights into the versatility and potential uses of Lemon Myrtle in various culinary applications.
Newly Weds Foods
Newly Weds Foods started in Chicago, celebrating its 90th birthday last year in the US and it's 40th birthday this year in Australia. Working with customers across six continents, NWF has a deep understanding of consumer tastes and preferences. Today it stands as a global leader in food ingredient technology and the creation of flavours, seasonings and innovative food solutions. As an extra extension to their business, they also have bought many other businesses over the years, including their own retail brand, “Global Cuisine,” to expand further into the world of sauces and flavour.
The Journey Begins
Silvia's transition: For Silvia, the switch from Biotechnology to Food Science was fueled by her passion for cooking. "The creative possibilities in product development are endless, and it's been a thrilling decade of innovation at NWF" she reflects.
A Day in the Life of a Food Technologist
A typical day for Thidi and Silvia is a blend of science and art – understanding customer briefs, developing formulations, and the crucial phase of tasting. "Our work is a collaborative symphony, bringing together sales, technologists, and flavours to create something extraordinary," they explain.
They find Lemon Myrtle particularly effective in curries, replacing traditional ingredients like kaffir lime and lemongrass, enhancing flavours while also being cost-effective.
Exciting Projects and Trends
Thidi and Silvia have many examples of projects that demonstrate Lemon Myrtle's versatility.
Silvia recalls "Working on sauce projects with the US team was a highlight, offering a cross-cultural perspective on flavour." For Thidi, the challenge of matching market-recognized flavours is exhilarating. "It's about striking the perfect balance between innovation and familiarity," she says.
From a stint in the US working on sauce projects, including a BBQ sauce enhanced by Lemon Myrtle, to currently developing a new product with a major supermarket chain, their work illustrates its broad appeal.
The Art of Flavour Pairing
Dive into our enlightening interview with Newly Weds Food, exploring the fusion of traditional and modern culinary techniques with the versatile and emerging fine food, Lemon Myrtle. Discover how this unique botanical is transforming the food industry.
When it comes to pairing flavours, especially with unique ingredients like Lemon Myrtle, the process is meticulous. "We base our pairings on customer requests but also experiment with combinations that we believe could be successful".
One remarkable pairing was Lemon Myrtle with Tasmanian Pepperberry, an innovative blend that showcases the versatility of native ingredients.
Pairing Lemon Myrtle with Tasmanian Pepperberry is just one example of their innovative approach. Thidi emphasizes the importance of dimension and complexity in dishes, praising Lemon Myrtle for adding these qualities without the adverse effects of acidity.
When asked about using Lemon Myrtle as an ingredient, they said there is the same use potential as with sour acid, without it making food more acidic. There is aroma without the acidity. The issue with acidity is that it can cook food and Lemon Myrtle does not do this. Acidity will also affect the binding which can be problematic as it can damage the complex balance. Silvia sums it up by saying “Lemon Myrtle enhances the lemon profile without the sour taste”.
Complexity of flavours
Thidi spoke about the importance of dimension and complexity when creating dishes. "The great thing about Lemon Myrtle is that it adds the same effects that acid does to food, being a natural flavour enhancer, but without the detrimental effects of acid. Citral gives this perception of the taste being enhanced. Lemon Myrtle also adds another level of depth and dimension to the flavour profile. It's not just about the taste, but also the aroma and texture that make it a versatile ingredient."
Optimal Use of Lemon Myrtle
Likewise, it works well in chilli lamb meals and can be swapped out when Kaffir Lime and lemongrass are traditionally used.
Global Potential
Thidi said “you can make everything tasty with different ingredients but my customers will still ask me - what about the price?” Thidi and Silvia believe Lemon Myrtle can be a great solution for this.
Flavour Pyramids
When creating a flavour pyramid, the top note can be Lemon Myrtle oil, Lemon Myrtle powder to add body and taste impact and then using leaves to add visual. You really need a good structure, and need to know where everything fits into the flavour pyramid.
Versatility in Forms
Essential oil would be best utilised when injecting a clear liquid into a meat as opposed to using brine, on the other hand, powder and dried leaf are great for adding punchy flavour and visual appeal in rubs or coatings.
Reflections on Past Success and Forging Future Paths
Their past successes, such as their marinated pork rub using Australian native ingredients and other creations such as infusing sausage with Lemon Myrtle, have been learning experiences and a great way to play around with what you can really do with such a versatile ingredient.
Looking forward, Thidi and Silvia are creating a showcase based on their experience at our 25th-anniversary lunch, aimed at demonstrating Lemon Myrtle's "wow factor" to their sales team. One dish they are hoping to collaborate with Chef Jordan from Crystalbrook where the event was hosted is the Lemon Myrtle infused sausage which really wowed their senses and made this a stand out dish.
The collaboration between Australian Native Products and NWF opens up new avenues. "We aim to explore various applications of Lemon Myrtle, enhancing its presence in global cuisine," they envision.
Overcoming Challenges
One challenge with unfamiliar ingredients like Lemon Myrtle is supply chain issues. However, after visiting our farms, Thidi and Silvia are confident in the stability of our supply, no matter the order size.
Personal Touches and Advice
As Thidi says, "It's all about good food, good flavours, and creating memorable experiences for your customers." And Lemon Myrtle is a valuable addition to any chef's pantry to achieve just that. So go ahead and explore the world of Lemon Myrtle, who knows what amazing dishes you will come up with! Remember, the possibilities are endless. Keep experimenting and creating delicious masterpieces with this versatile ingredient.
Predicting the Future
Thidi is excited to announce to us that one of her creations has been chosen by a major supermarket chain featuring our very own Lemon Myrtle, being released and is becoming close to be released as LTO. So watch this space and we'll be sure to let you know the release date and where you can purchase it.
Deep Dive into Applications
Another concept they discussed was using just the right amount to make the dish unique by minimal usage.
Choosing Lemon Myrtle
Driven by customer demand, Thidi and Silvia plan to showcase its versatility and encourage its use in diverse applications, highlighting its flavour enhancement without added acidity.
In regards to price, they said that Lemon Myrtle is actually very reasonable, not just because a little goes a long way, but because it’s actually comparable in price to mainstay ingredients such as dill and kaffir lime leaves.
Lemon Myrtle Showcase
Thidi and Silvia are in the process of creating a showcase to highlight the wow factor based on their experience at our 25th anniversary lunch. They are doing this to show their sales team so that when their customers are looking for some wow factor they will have experienced this to be confident enough to sell this concept to them.
Advice for those wanting a career in the industry
Thidi and Silvia say that to do their job you need passion to do it and of course you need to love to cook. It's a fast-paced industry where you need to keep up with trends and always be willing to try new things. They advise those looking for a career in the food industry to attend events, food expos, and workshops to stay updated on the latest techniques and ingredients. They also recommend building strong relationships with suppliers like Australian Native Products who can provide unique and high-quality ingredients, setting you apart from other chefs. Most importantly, they emphasize the importance of never losing sight of your creativity and passion for food.
Conclusion
Contact us to see how we could help infuse Lemon Myrtle into your creations.