A Taste of Tasmania: The Story of Tassie Fine Foods

Tassie Fine Foods is an iconic Tasmanian gourmet food brand that has been crafting an array of artisanal jams, sauces, condiments, and other tasty treats from the island state’s fresh local produce since 1989.

Through traditional small batch production methods focused on quality ingredients and handcrafted preparation techniques that maximize flavors, Tassie Fine Foods has become synonymous with providing a quintessential taste of Tasmania to customers across Australia and internationally.

The Origins of an Iconic Tasmanian Brand

Tassie Fine Foods was founded in 1989 by husband and wife team Amanda and Christopher Reed in the Tasmanian capital of Hobart. The couple shared a deep passion for creating high quality gourmet food products that highlighted the diversity and freshness of fruits, vegetables and other seasonal produce grown throughout Tasmania.

After experimenting with jams, sauces and pickled products using ingredients sourced locally near their home kitchen, Amanda and Christopher saw the opportunity to create a business focusing on the explosion of flavors from this farm-fresh Tasmanian produce. By working closely with nearby growers and producers across the state, they made it their mission to deliver a taste of Tasmania to people beyond the island.

The award-winning product range of Tassie Fine Foods today includes [many different types of products to highlight here once details are added]. Some customer favorites over the years have been:

  • Wild Tasmanian Blackberry Jam
  • Tasmania Rainforest Raspberry Sauce
  • Lime & Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Jelly
  • Characteristic Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey Glaze
  • Whole Tasmanian Beerenberg Farm Strawberry Preserve

Tassie Fine Foods has stayed committed to its original values of developing strong partnerships with farmers, growers, beekeepers, fishermen and other food producers. By championing sustainable practices and maintaining complete traceability from very locally-sourced ingredients through to the final product, Tassie Fine Foods is the epitome of a genuine farm-to-table Tasmanian food brand.

Farm-to-Jar Sustainable Sourcing

As a proud Tasmanian company, Tassie Fine Foods understands the importance of preserving the island’s spectacular natural environment for future generations while also bolstering the state’s economy and agricultural sector. These parallel goals are reflected in an unwavering commitment to sustainable food production systems.

Tassie Fine Foods sources high quality fruits, vegetables, honey and other ingredients from a diverse network of over 80 regular suppliers located across Tasmania. By focusing on seasonal produce that is grown, harvested, caught or made locally, the brand provides a reliable market for farmers and food manufacturers on the island.

Establishing trust and transparency across their farm-to-jar supply chain translates into Tassie Fine Foods having complete traceability and control over the quality of ingredients being used in their products. Whether it’s sweet berries from northern Tasmania or juicy apples from the south, customers can rest assured knowing exactly where all components of Tassie Fine Food products originate from.

Some of the main Tasmanian seasonal produce regularly featured across the Tassie Fine Food range includes:

  • Berries – raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and blueberries
  • Stone fruits – apricots, peaches, nectarines and cherries
  • Apples – traditional varieties like Royal Gala, Pink Lady and Granny Smith
  • Honey – Leatherwood, Blackwood and Wildflower honeys
  • Tomatoes – heirloom and vine-ripened varieties
  • Peppers – Tasmanian Mountain Pepper and chili peppers

By focusing on seasonal fruit and vegetables at their freshest, the natural flavors shine through beautifully in Tassie Fine Food jams, sauces, condiments without needing artificial additives or preservatives.

Signature Tassie Fine Food Products

The hallmark of Tassie Fine Foods is the way traditional, artisanal methods are used to handcraft their range of products to the highest standards without compromising on taste or quality. Signature items customers love to stock their pantries with are:

Award-Winning Jams & Conserves

Jams and fruit conserves have always been the flagship products of the Tassie Fine Foods brand. Winning over 20 gold medals at the Royal Hobart Fine Food Awards, their range captures the diverse flavors of Tasmania.

Popular lines include:

  • Mountain Pepper Berry Jam – a tantalizing blend of raspberries and blackberries with Tasmanian Mountain Pepper that has a mild spicy kick.
  • Anvers Temptation – a decadent mix of chocolate and hazelnuts from Anvers, inspired by the famous Nutella flavor combination.
  • Quince & Apple Jam – an artisanal conserve made from Tasmanian-grown quinces and heirloom apples.

 

Tassie Fine Foods

 

Versatile Condiments, Sauces & Relishes

Perfect for livening up meals or used as marinades, dips and sandwich fillers, key condiments include:

  • Peppy Pear Chutney – fire-roasted Tasmanian pears mixed with onions, sultanas and spices like ginger and cumin.
  • Marion’s Rhubarb Relish – created from a private family recipe, this sweet and tangy relish adds oomph to cheese platters, roasts and barbeques.
  • Leatherwood Honey, Garlic & Rosemary Glaze – infused with fragrant Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey gathered from beehives around the state.

###Sweet Spreads Indulgent fruit, chocolate and nut-based spreads on hot toast or scones in the morning is a cherished Tasmanian ritual. Top sellers in the breakfast lineup are:

  • Lime & Tasmanian Mountain Pepper Jelly – lime juice and rind is blended with mild Mountain Pepper, butter and sugar to create a mouthwatering citrus surprise.
  • Boags Beer Jelly -inspired by the famous Boags brewery in Launceston, this adults-only jelly captures the malty, bitter notes of a classic Tasmanian beer.
  • Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Delight – creamy blend pairing the tart sweetness of raspberries with rich 70% dark Tasmanian-produced chocolate that melts in your mouth.

Artisanal Production Methods

As a Tasmanian producer crafting gourmet foodstuffs for over 30 years, Tassie Fine Foods understands that delivering exceptional quality and flavors starts with using traditional techniques perfected over time.

Key aspects of their production process include:

Locally-sourced seasonal produce – Fresh, high quality ingredients sourced directly from Tasmanian farmers and food manufacturers across their network lies at the core. By picking produce at its seasonal peak when natural sugars and aromatic compounds in fruits and vegetables are most developed, their flavor potency shines through in finished Tassie Fine Foods products.

Small batch preparation – All jams, condiments and other items are handmade in 15-20 kilogram batches from scratch using artisanal methods focused on retaining flavor. Unlike mass manufacturing, this allows precision control over each step of the production process from ensuring perfect fruit ripeness to capturing distinctive aromas.

Open kettle cooking – Many jams and fruit conserves are prepared using an open kettle technique rather than commercial processing. This traditional method involves gently boiling fruits with sugar and pectin to form a thicker jam-like consistency allowing fresh flavors to intensify unlike heavily processed commercial methods.

Hand ladling & labeling – Preserving the homemade appearance of Tassie Fine Foods products is important. Jars are individually filled by hand using ladles before applying specially designed labels celebrating imagery linked to local Tasmanian producers.

By focusing more on product quality and tasting exceptional rather than maximizing commercial efficiencies, Tassie Fine Foods remains committed to traditional batch methods where possible when handcrafting their products after over 30 years in business.

Taste the Tasmanian Difference

A key point of difference that sets Tassie Fine Foods apart from mass-produced mainstream brands is the way the tastes and aromas of artisanal products reflect the underlying Tasmanian terroir.

Terroir refers to the combination of regional environmental factors like climate, geology, geography and traditional farming practices that impart unique detectable qualities and characteristics on ingredients grown in that area.

For Tassie Fine Foods customers, tasting how diverse flavours of fruits, vegetables, honey and artisanal ingredients shine through from dedicated Tasmanian growers translates into memorable gourmet creations. This commitment to regional authenticity has garnered national acclaim, including most recently being crowned “Tasmania’s Best Food Producer” at the 2022 Delicious Produce Awards.

Some of the standout qualities that Tassie Fine Foods leverage from exceptional Tasmanian produce includes:

  • Fruit intensity – cool temperate growing conditions mean Tasmanian stone fruits and berries develop richer aromatics and complex flavor chemistry.
  • Honey purity – monofloral Leatherwood Honey has a uniquely intense flavour profile from bees feeding solely on Leathe
    • Mountain Pepper zing – Tasmanian Mountain Pepperberries impart mild spice and fresh piney notes unlike any other pepper varieties.
    • Dairy goodness – high quality Tasmanian milk, cheeses, creams and butter provide an exceptionally clean, creamy base.
    • Malt richness – generations of local brewing mastery translates into award-winning beers like Boags used in products like beer jellies.
    • Single origin focus – knowing the backstory of every ingredient from a specific Tasmanian farm or producer provides an emotional connection for customers seeking high quality produce.

    This focus on regionality and traceable local sourcing helps Tassie Fine Foods share tastes of Tasmania normally only enjoyed by locals with a wider audience domestically and globally.

    Where to Buy Tassie Fine Foods

    Part of the growth of Tassie Fine Foods from a small Hobart-based start-up to an internationally recognized Tasmanian icon exporting globally has been increasing both domestic and international stockists.

    Some of the main retail outlets across Tasmania to purchase their iconic range of products includes:

    • Selected IGA supermarkets
    • Regional IGAs, general stores and corner stores
    • Specialist gourmet and delicatessen stores
    • Local farmers markets and farm gate stalls
    • Tasmanian gift stores and souvenir shops
    • Major domestic airports and TasPorts shops

    In targeting foodie tourists visiting Tasmania, Tassie Fine Foods has expanded into the hospitality industry. Visitors exploring Tasmania can discover their products at venues including:

    • High-end restaurants and cafes
    • Local provedores, bakeries and butchers
    • Boutique accommodation properties
    • Cellar doors at leading Tasmanian wineries
    • Whisky and gin distillery tasting rooms
    • Bespoke Tasmanian hampers and gift boxes

    For mainland domestic customers and those internationally, Tassie Fine Food ships products via their online shop which stocks the complete product range. Wholesale distribution partnerships in key export markets help share their authentic Tasmanian tastes globally.

    Bring the Tastes of Tasmania Home

    Tassie Fine Foods products have become staple pantry items in many Australian households to capture the fresh, vibrant tastes of Tasmania when cooking at home. From seasonal berry jams on artisanal breads to distinctive fruit chutneys paired with cheeses, the combinations are endless.

    Their gift hampers and corporate packages have also become hugely popular as gourmet food gifts, whether it’s sending a taste of Tasmania to clients and partners domestically or surprising friends and family abroad with iconic local flavors.

    Next time you want to be transported back to the tastes of Tasmania at home, make sure to explore the Tassie Fine Foods range. Their passion for showcasing exceptional regional produce in every handcrafted small batch means that trademark Tasmanian difference will burst through with every spoonful.

    • Mountain Pepper zing – Tasmanian Mountain Pepperberries impart mild spice and fresh piney notes unlike any other pepper varieties.
    • Dairy goodness – high quality Tasmanian milk, cheeses, creams and butter provide an exceptionally clean, creamy base.
    • Malt richness – generations of local brewing mastery translates into award-winning beers like Boags used in products like beer jellies.
    • Single origin focus – knowing the backstory of every ingredient from a specific Tasmanian farm or producer provides an emotional connection for customers seeking high quality produce.

    This focus on regionality and traceable local sourcing helps Tassie Fine Foods share tastes of Tasmania normally only enjoyed by locals with a wider audience domestically and globally.

    Where to Buy Tassie Fine Foods

    Part of the growth of Tassie Fine Foods from a small Hobart-based start-up to an internationally recognized Tasmanian icon exporting globally has been increasing both domestic and international stockists.

    Some of the main retail outlets across Tasmania to purchase their iconic range of products includes:

    • Selected IGA supermarkets
    • Regional IGAs, general stores and corner stores
    • Specialist gourmet and delicatessen stores
    • Local farmers markets and farm gate stalls
    • Tasmanian gift stores and souvenir shops
    • Major domestic airports and TasPorts shops

    In targeting foodie tourists visiting Tasmania, Tassie Fine Foods has expanded into the hospitality industry. Visitors exploring Tasmania can discover their products at venues including:

    • High-end restaurants and cafes
    • Local provedores, bakeries and butchers
    • Boutique accommodation properties
    • Cellar doors at leading Tasmanian wineries
    • Whisky and gin distillery tasting rooms
    • Bespoke Tasmanian hampers and gift boxes

    For mainland domestic customers and those internationally, Tassie Fine Food ships products via their online shop which stocks the complete product range. Wholesale distribution partnerships in key export markets help share their authentic Tasmanian tastes globally.

    Bring the Tastes of Tasmania Home

    Tassie Fine Foods products have become staple pantry items in many Australian households to capture the fresh, vibrant tastes of Tasmania when cooking at home. From seasonal berry jams on artisanal breads to distinctive fruit chutneys paired with cheeses, the combinations are endless.

    Their gift hampers and corporate packages have also become hugely popular as gourmet food gifts, whether it’s sending a taste of Tasmania to clients and partners domestically or surprising friends and family abroad with iconic local flavors.

    Next time you want to be transported back to the tastes of Tasmania at home, make sure to explore the Tassie Fine Foods range. Their passion for showcasing exceptional regional produce in every handcrafted small batch means that trademark Tasmanian difference will burst through with every spoonful.

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2 thoughts on “A Taste of Tasmania: The Story of Tassie Fine Foods

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