The
Good Life
Happy New Year!
!ſëććĕƆ !ſĕĕŊ ÉşşĎǕſĕĎ Victoria Cosford
We all know we can help the planet by reducing our single-use footprint, so why not make a new (financial) year resolution that’s an investment in the future of the planet by finding the perfect reusable cup for your daily caffeine fix? The guys at Bun Coffee in the Byron Arts & Industry Estate are giving away a $20 coffee voucher each week in ‘plastic-free July’.
Simply bring in your clean cup and go into the weekly draw. They also love it when you bring in your own reusable vessel to purchase your home coffee beans too.
There’s a contingent of Europeans who don’t mind travelling a considerable distance in order to stock up on Jon and Gina Hutton’s wood-fired bread. Which could possibly be the highest compliment – most Europeans know and love their bread. It’s hardly surprising. Eleven years ago, Jon, a fformer bricklayer, built a huge wood-fired oven on h ttheir Crabbes Creek property. And so the couple started to A learn about the art of breadmaking, eventually feeling ready to dispense their product at local farmers’ markets. Jon’s seen some big changes in that time, especially the interest in sourdoughs. ‘More people,’ he tells me, ‘started leaning toward sourdough as a healthier choice as opposed to the fluffy white bread you get in supermarkets.’ I point out it’s not only about the health benefits, but also about taste and texture, that glorious chewiness, the subtle tang. It’s also because the 16-hour fermentation breaks gluten down quickly,
Jon tells me, even those who claim to be gluten-intolerant find they can eat it with no ill effect. That’s not the only reason their breads are so popular. Of the fifteen different types they make, many utilise ancient grains like spelt and korazan. The latter, in particular, has ‘taken off’, Jon says; indeed, it’s their best seller. He says the ancient grain (sourced like all their flours from millers in Gunnedah), ‘hasn’t been messed around with.’ The sweet, buttery, nutty grains are much larger than modern wheat grains and are easier to digest. I ask Jon for three Jon Hutton, of Crabbes Creek Woodfired, loves making healthy bread tips for home-bakers that’s easier to digest than (and tastes a whole lot better than!) what and he says it’s good you can buy in a supermarket. flour; good salt (theirs especially sourdough, Jon Find Crabbes Creek is a hand-harvested coarse and Gina gave away lots of Woodfired every Tuesday French Celtic Sea salt rich their leaven (starter). Some at New Brighton Farmers in minerals); and long skills, however, I’d prefer Market 8–11am and fermentation. to leave to the experts, like Mullumbimby Farmers At the height of the fresh pasta, like bread. Thank Market, every Friday covid-lockdowns and the goodness we have Jon and 7–11am mania for home baking, Gina.
Stone & Wood’s Brewery Festival Returns Stone & Wood are opening the gates to their Murwillumbah brewery with the return of their ‘Murbah Open Day’, on Saturday 6 August. Welcoming the people of the Northern Rivers and surrounds to a day of great food, good music, brewery tours and, of course, the freshest beers in town. Running from 11am–5pm, Murbah Open Day is an event for the whole family. For one day only, the festival will be flowing with
22 The Byron Shire Echo `ƖōƷ ǭǽ ǩǧǩǩ
an easy drinking Kolsch style ale; Murbah Session Beer, brewed especially for the festival and the good people of Murwillumbah. The Open Day will be your one chance to grab a glass of the good stuff this year. Entry to the day is by gold coin donation with all profits from the festival going towards Wedgetail Retreat. Wedgetail Retreat provide free palliative care to the Northern Rivers community, giving locals and their families a warm and
welcoming environment to call home. Operating without government funding, Wedgetail relies on the support of its community to keep its doors open and to continue with the amazing care they provide. Details on the music and food lineup to come, so keep your eyes on the Stone & Wood socials for more information. www.stoneandwood.com.au
www.echo.net.au