all I want for Christmas is a… donkey??

Posted on 20 July 2010

I recently had the opportunity to visit a number of producers while working on a project. It is always so much fun when visiting these producers. It always reminds me of my childhood growing up on the farm.

This was especially the case when I visited Obi Obi Essentials, who are based in the Obi Obi Valley at the back of Mapleton. The property is picture pretty; olive grove, green tea hedges, geese, horses, the cutest alpacas and donkeys – I have decided I want a donkey! Sooo cute.

Alexina Johnson is the wonderful lady behind Obi Obi Essentials and the producer of a sensational olive oil, green tea and some green tea, olive leaf and lemon myrtle tea blend. The farm is pretty self-sustained, with everything grown and then processed and packaged on the farm. The tea and olive leaves are dried in a solar powered drying room, while the olives are also cold pressed and bottled on site. The oil is in pretty high demand due to the small volumes produced, so if you happen to own a bottle, treat it like gold!

Alexina is passionate about her produce and is a prime example of producers on the Sunshine Coast that are quietly producing products with such integrity. Olives are crushed the same day that they are picked and only quality fruit is used. Which is no wonder the olive oil tastes so good.

I spent the morning wandering around the farm – I didn’t really want to go home, it was just so beautiful out there. There was a slight drizzle of rain, so the olive grove looked almost a bit mystical because it was slightly misted in. The alpacas were grazing throughout the grove, and talk about cute. There was a little baby alpaca (a cria I believe that they are called) that was there, that I had a hard time tearing myself away from – that was until Alexina said that she would take me up to see the horses and donkeys.

I don’t know what it is with me and donkeys, but if I could run one in my backyard, I would! I had particular affinity for the one called Angel.

I will post some pictures on my facebook profile, so you can see for yourself how cute they were and how beautiful Alexina’s property is.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=232019&id=687869877&l=06d1b673a6

In the meantime look out for Obi Obi Essentials teas and olive oils. I have seen the at husk and honey and Alexina does frequent some of the Sunshine Coast markets. Check out her website for more details:

www.obiobiessentials.com.au

This post was written by Petra Frieser – Local Harvest
To find out more about the Sunshine Coast’s regional growers and producers visit:
www.localharvest.com.au