Matakana Village Farmers Market

2 Matakana Valley Rd, Matakana
Saturdays 8am-1pm (Winter 9am-1pm )

It took us longer to get to Matakana than we’d anticipated. We didn’t get there till nearly half past ten having left Mt Albert at quarter past nine. We didn’t miss anything by being so late except the organic spiced hot chocolate. Which, judging by the plain hot chocolate, might be something to rise a little earlier for next time.

On the way in we stopped to chat to Barbara, the founder of the Market. She doesn’t run it any more but is still involved and mans the textiles stall by the entrance. She had some gorgeous aprons and tea towels with botanical illustrations of fruit and vegetables done in black on white. Also available are cotton shopping bags for $5 and the Oz / NZ guide to Farmers Markets.

While we were waiting for our morning coffees I hopped over to Hillfoot Farm’s little spot where I had a most enjoyable morsel of duck. And I just had to buy a pot of duck fat. After so many UK Christmases with potatoes done in goose fat how could I not?

The vegetables here were an absolute joy. They were fresh, colourful and vibrant just bursting with crisp freshness.

The garlic man who we often see at Takapuna Markets was here. He’d sold out of the garlic but had an abundance of the most gorgeous produce we’d seen in a long time.

The beets, carrots and radishes made a very pretty picture all together.

And why we didn’t buy a cos lettuce for a caesar salad I’ll never know.

The pyramids of tamarillos and avocados epitomised everything that’s good about a farmers market. Can you see also how good his potatoes look?

The neighbouring bread lady had some rather sumptuous looking cream buns and pan au chocolat to nicely set off the morning coffee.

At the stand with all the jams, jellies and relishes they had our favourite of all time - something we first discovered at Spitalfields Market (back in the day when it was big and proper) - and that’s red pepper and chilli jam. Whenever we see it we buy it. And this one didn’t disappoint. Although it was a bit runny for a jelly the chilli content more than made up for it.

Organic eggs $6 for a dozen. Now that’s extremely good buying if you like eggs. While I write this I am shaking my head at the things I didn’t buy…

Ah, oh, and the flowers were so pretty. Another thing that makes me slightly wish we’d been there earlier to see the full display. They were so so lovely. Spring flowers are truly upon us now.

Now the place to go for a hot chocolate isn’t the coffee bar at the front (but do go and say hello to Raoul when you buy your flat white); but yes, get your hot chocolate from the Dutch lady with the incredible organic chocolates.

The Puhoi Cheese people were there with delicious blues, bries and cheddars.

And there was some yummy home-baked goodness in the shape of scones, buns and cupcakes.

Everyone got a bit overexcited about the whitebait fritters so we all had to have one each for breakfast. They were perfectly done; in butter, served on bread with sea salt, cracked pepper and a squeeze of lemon.

Our old favourites, the people from Lothlorien were there. Their grapefruit juice is just like home-made, and since we last saw them they’ve added a feijoa and apple juice to their drinks menu. Their feijoa liquer is like nectar. A few years ago we ordered a case directly from them for our company Christmas pressies for clients.

And once all the fun had been had and the rain had been rained (actually it was still raining when we left) we had a quick stop off at the neighbouring building to visit the loos. And my oh my, they were terribly city-nightclub, a far cry from the rustic farmers market we’d just visited. But quite a cool surprise!