MEET YOUR {OUTSTANDING} MAKER - PURE NEW ZEALAND ICE CREAM
Business partners Brian and Anna of PURE NZ Ice Cream share a love for real, sustainable food. This led them to become producers of PURE, artisan ice creams, gelatos and sorbets in stunning Wānaka. There is also abundant happiness that comes from working in this specific sector. As Steve Jobs accurately summed it up, “If you want to make everyone happy, don’t be a leader, sell ice cream.”
In terms of challenges, sourcing high-quality, all-natural ingredients at prices that allow for premium ice cream to be delivered to the consumer, whilst keeping the consumer happy with what they are paying for, is the biggest challenge. Due to a key brand pillar for PURE NZ being the use of allergen-free, natural ingredients with strong local provenance, cutting corners is non-negotiable. Therefore, consumers can be certain they are receiving a premium product for their investment in PURE NZ ice cream.
It is the natural goodness of the ingredients that create delicious and original flavours across their range of hand-crafted ice creams. It was this intense flavour in the PURE NZ Boysenberry Ice Cream which wowed the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards judges in 2020 when it was named Emerson’s Dairy Champion. They made special mention of the quality ingredients saying ‘gorgeous texture, lovely mouth full. REAL FRUIT! Beautiful boysenberry flavours, has freshness and lightness. Very striking to look at; difficult to resist…”
Each year, the team goes up against some of New Zealand’s finest by entering the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards as well as the NZ Ice Cream Awards. Anna and Brian say its a nerve-wracking but incredible experience - most definitely when Gold medals and “Best in Category” awards are won year in year out. With an increasingly competitive sector, these affirmations are wonderful for the team in PURE NZ’s artisan kitchen in Wānaka and highlight that the brand is true to its promise of delicious natural ingredients and flavour.
Wānaka is an amazing backdrop to work and live in. Boating, water skiing, walks with Ruby the dog, and tramping throughout the Southern Lakes District and Mt Aspiring National Park are all ways to enjoy a much needed break from working.
Anna’s family favourite getaway is stunning Tōtaranui in Abel Tasman National Park. Each summer, a month is spent there as it “resets us and fills our boots with all the good Kiwi summer stuff”. Golden sands, towering hills and life-long friends allow for refreshing swims, brutal runs and enjoyable catch-ups. If Tōtaranui isn’t port of call, simply taking in the view of Treble Cone Ski area from home is still a wonderful spot - “We all know how lucky we are to call New Zealand home these days, don’t we?”.
To find out more about PURE NZ Ice Cream visit them at www.purenzicecream.com.