These classic kitchen items that are still worthy of a place on our shelves. Photo / iStock.
These classic kitchen items that are still worthy of a place on our shelves. Photo / iStock.
With technology taking over our lives more than ever and lifestyle pressures increasing at an alarming rate, a recent slow-burning movement to appreciate the simpler things in life is taking hold.
Returning to traditional items that are simple yet integral is proving more and more popular, with people embracing the comfort of nostalgia and appeal of authenticity.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the kitchen where, despite your iPad, cooking and cleaning still have to be done; so why not take joy in tradition, ritual and familiarity by rediscovering classic kitchen items that are still worthy of a place on our shelves.
1: Sunlight soap
From the barely unchanged packaging to its cheerful yellow colouring and familiar, nostalgic smell, Sunlight was the very first branded soap, packaged in Britain in 1884. Although now surpassed for the likes of dishwashing, it still retains an enduring place in the contemporary kitchen for its merits as hand-soap and clothes washing. Eco-friendly and free from petrochemicals, it's also ideal for handwashing knitwear and delicates - a task which itself also warrants a place in modern life, ensuring the longevity of clothing and being a far more environmentally friendly option than the rigorous washing machine. Although its UK production ceased in 2009, it can still be found on every supermarket shelf in New Zealand and countless kitchens and laundries. There's something inherently comforting and reassuring about the sunny yellow bar, not to mention it's a bargain at $3.69 for a box of four.
The humble cup of tea is intrinsic to our national identity, enjoyed everywhere from the office to your grandmother's kitchen. Although the likes of chai and green tea are undeniably popular and with their own merits, sometimes nothing beats a traditional cup of Bell Tea; found in kitchens around the country, it's New Zealand's oldest tea company and is still owned and made on our shores. From the classic original, to the famously strong Kenya Bold, there's nothing quite as comforting as sitting down to a cup of tea. More relaxing and nostalgic than coffee, it's also something to be enjoyed in the home; tied historically to domesticity, tradition and comfort, the ritual of brewing a cup of tea to be enjoyed with a loved on is also not to be forgotten.
Bell Tea. Photo / Supplied
3: Colman's Mustard Powder
Colman's Mustard Powder. Photo / Supplied
Though we all love its cousins dijon and wholegrain mustard, Colman's classic mustard powder has had a place on kitchen shelves for decades. Founded in 1814 in England, Colman's is a national treasure there and still features the Royal Warrant on its packaging. Understandably traditional here due to our commonwealth ties and English heritage, this often forgotten seasoning elevates countless comforting recipes like macaroni cheese, curries and roasts (for even better crackling) or to enhance a glazed ham.
4: Edmond's Baking Soda
Edmond's Baking Soda. Photo / Supplied
Edmonds has an iconic place as one of the most trusted and recognisable brands in the common kitchen, and its famous baking soda is an old favourite for both cooking and cleaning. One of the most reliable leavening agents, it's fundamental when making classic recipes like biscuits, muffins and traditional Irish soda bread - providing a faster and simpler rise than yeast. Baking soda is one of the simplest and easiest cleaning agents, and is an old kitchen secret predating toxic modern cleaners. Mixed with water, it's ideal for cleaning the likes of your refrigerator; combined with vinegar and boiling water, it clears drains and lifts burnt-on food from pans (more on that later). It can also be added to a laundry wash as a brightener. Most surprising of all, baking soda acts as one of the most successful ways of (simply and cheaply) soothing heartburn - with a teaspoon in a glass of water providing instant relief.
5: Enamelware
This hardwearing kitchen classic is experiencing a return to favour as the familiarity of its durable porcelain-fused steel is being rediscovered. Embodying practicality and tradition with its no fuss appearance and crisp white finish, enamelware is safe in the dishwasher and oven, and can't break or burn. Traditionally reserved for camping trips, it's a popular item for many homeware shops worth their salt, and can now be found in many kitchens due to both it's functionality and appearance - adding an appealing authenticity and charm to both cooking and serving. With its distinctive blue edging, the classic Falcon enamelware itself was founded in 1920, and remains in production today - revitalized by its renewed popularity.
The famous sauce that everyone pronounces slightly differently, Worcestershire adds depth and flavour to soups, chillies, sauces and meat with its indeterminable yet irreplaceable flavour, stemming from ingredients like vinegar, molasses and anchovies. Produced commercially from 1837, it's a key part of traditional dishes like Welsh Rarebit, and is also integral to one of the most classic drinks of all time (that requires an arsenal of kitchen condiments itself) the Bloody Mary.
7: Manuka Honey
Native to our own shores, manuka honey is a turbo-charged version of this classic spread, delicious and comforting smeared on toast or as a natural sweeter. Far more potent than other honeys, manuka is naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory with proven health benefits; the key is making sure the jar on your shelf has a high Unique Manuka Factor, this UMF rating communicates its quality and potency of the honey. It can be used topically for wounds and burns, it also soothes the common cold (particularly when paired with lemon or cider vinegar) and aids digestion.
Manuka honey. Photo / NZ Herald
8: Vinegar
There's nothing more indispensible in the kitchen than vinegar in all its iterations. Balsamic adds flavour and depth to everything from chilli and roast vegetables to caramelized onions, whilst cider vinegar lifts even a simple salad dressing, and adds depth and rising agency to baking. Cider vinegar is also renowned for its health benefits, helping prevent and relieve colds and flu. Drunken daily, straight or diluted - or even better, mixed with hot water and the aforementioned manuka honey, it can aid the immune system and soothe the body. Taken daily, it is also believed to aid digestion and relieve things like heartburn. Used as a hair rinse (half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to one cup of water) it boosts shine naturally. It can also be used diluted as a natural skin toner. Classic white vinegar is a somewhat forgotten cleaning aid; combined with baking soda and water, it lifts burnt food from the bottom of pots when brought to a simmer - both easier and more natural than harsh cleaning chemicals.
