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Two farmer's markets are the latest addition to the ever-changing food scene in Hermanus where new restaurants, eateries and even pubs seldom survive more than one holiday season.
The Fernkloof Farmers' Market in the Fernkloof Nature reserve and the one situated in the Hemel-en-Aarde Village opened their doors towards the end of last year in time for the annual influx of holiday-makers. Both these markets have on offer an incredible variety of mostly home-grown and organic products, ranging from roses to roosterkoek, fynbos to foccacias and are indeed a welcome take on the often very ordinary produce found in local supermarkets.
The name Hermanuspietersfontein, the original name of Hermanus, was revived in the form of a new wine cellar and "boeremark" when they opened in October last year. The owners have designed the cellar around a large courtyard in which the "boeremark" is held between 09:00 and 13:00 every Saturday throughout the year. This market - there are some 20 stalls - promises to bring back the atmosphere of the market square where traditionally farmers, bakers and butchers would bring their produce to sell.
At the market people can sit about under umbrellas and catch up on all the local skinder over something to eat and drink. The organisers suggest that you leave your shopping list at home and just bring along a basket.
Selection and balance here ensure a wide variety of products which complement each other. Definitely worth a stop-over are the cold meats and cheese counter, as well as the olive oil table where olives, tapenades and at least ten different olive oils are sold. Cheeses on sale include the most amazing Gorgonzola I have ever tasted, a Brevi's Blue and a variety of mature cheddar, pecorino and Fontina cheeses. Cold meats on offer include Parma, Black Forest and Bayon hams, as well as coppa and pancetta. Some say the prices are a bit hefty but then where else in Hermanus would you find anything as exciting and exotic as, for instance, real home-made chorizio sausages?
One of the best things about this market is of course its proximity to the wine-cellar! Look out for Die Bartho, a Sauvignon Blanc blend, Die Martha, a Shiraz blend, Die Arnoldus, an interesting Bourdeaux blend, as well as the Cabernet Franc, known as Die Swartskaap. To celebrate the year of founding of Hermanuspietersfontein, the Rose, Dry White and Dry Red wines will carry the date, 1855.
The Farmer's Market in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve trades every Saturday between 07:30 and 11:30 and shoppers are advised to come early. The roses, for instance, are regularly sold out before 08:00 Saturday after Saturday!
The atmosphere here is more rustic with a wide variety of interesting fynbos plants, fruits from the area and vegetables - think exotic herbs, huge beetroot and radishes, carrots, spinach and rhubarb - fruits and fynbos plants on sale. Organizer Liza van Coppenhagen says the criteria for selection here is "home-grown and organic only" and nearly all of the 35 stalls here proudly display either of these two signs.
Other speciality stalls include one selling the most amazing home-made cakes - anything from Dutch almond tarts to carrot and chilli chocolate cakes, quiches and chocolate brownies. Across the road from the cake man, the pie ladies entice with a wide range of hand-made pies (English pork, humble, fidget, Scottish, mutton, vegetarian and cheese and onion) as well as speciality sausages (English pork, Toulouse, Greek, Cumberland and even skilpadjies.) and home-cured bacon, pates, terrines and locally-made continental-style salamis and cured meats.
Early rises will not only be awarded with a wonderful "bosbrekfis" but can also look forward to spend the rest of their morning shopping to the relaxed tunes of a marimba band playing in the background. So, next weekend, forget about the frenzied shopping trip to the air-conditioned shopping mall and head out Hermanus way instead. The only thing you will not find at any of these two markets are those boring cleaning agents! Also, think of it as stocking up on soul food for the rest of the week...
For further information on the market at the Hermanuspietersfontein wine-cellar, call 083 388 8239. For more info on the Fernkloof Market, contact Liz on 072 883 3894
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