Countdown, Auckland

What to buy here: Pineapple Lumps, Manuka Honey & Marmite.

One of the most requested food items for New Zealanders living overseas is Pascall’s Pineapple Lumps. Unique to New Zealand from 1935, they are an extremely popular New Zealand confectionary. If you have a sweet tooth or are souvenir shopping for someone with a sweet tooth, you can assure yourself and them that Pascall Pineapple Lumps are a national delicacy. Pineapple lumps are small square lumps of pineapple flavoured chewy sweets covered in a thin layer of chocolate. They are available in 140 gram family bags for between NZD2-3 dollars and 300 gram jumbo packs for approximately NZD3-4 dollars.

Manuka honey is New Zealand’s best known honey. There are a huge range of products made from it aside from its obvious use as a breakfast spread. These include cosmetics and health supplements.

Manuka honey has been giving generations of New Zealanders its health-maintaining benefits for many years. Today, the active ingredients of pure manuka honey are rated by their UMF or ‘Unique Manuka Factor’. The higher the factor, the more potent the antibacterial properties. There is a range of manuka honey products available with different strengths. 250 gram jars of active Manuka Honey will set you back approximately NZD30, whilst a 100 gram Manuka Honey hand crème starts at NZD22.

Since the dawn of time, a war has raged between the popularity of New Zealand marmite and Australian vegemite. New Zealand marmite is definitely an acquired taste and generally described as incredibly salty and savoury. It is made from a potent mix of yeast, sugar, salt, herbs, spices, vitamins and mineral and is a popular breakfast spread. It’s been around since 1910 in New Zealand so whilst it’s a firm favourite for New Zealanders, it’s almost always an acquired taste for everyone else. New Zealand marmite is manufactured by Sanitarium. Marmite comes in pottles of four different sizes i.e. 125 grams, 175 grams, 250 grams and 500 grams. It’s generally used quite sparingly because it has such a strong flavour. Prices range from between NZD3 and NZD7. Sanitarium Marmite is found in just about every supermarket in New Zealand. As long as it remains sealed, there should be no issues without taking this food item back home.