When all of a sudden diners see fruits such as pomelo or alpine strawberry, or vegetables such as purple potatoes or baby turnips spring up on trendy Adelaide or metropolitan restaurant menus, AMJ Produce is one of the main reasons they hit the plate. Husband and wife team Chris and Margy Abbot are the owners of this unique wholesale company, which is in the midst of bringing yuzu fruit to the top of the menu. With a trusted grower cultivating a large enough yield to satisfy diners looking for a different eating experience, AMJ Produce is redefining what’s ‘hot’ in the dining world, following an innovative formula for success.
Margy Abbot explains why yuzu is a fruit many more are about to get to know. “Yuzu is considered a superfood, and it’s very high in vitamin C. So far our crop has been sent to high end restaurants and we’ve had phonecalls come from Sydney asking about the yuzu we’re supplying.” That positive response from restaurateurs at this early stage should kickstart a wave of popularity and see more mainstream markets use the yuzu fruit, as happened with golden beetroot in South Australia a few years ago, when the Abbots introduced it to the region.
There’s a good reason to get to know growers as well as chefs, Mrs Abbot says, and bringing the two together to ensure that growers plant what chefs want, and will pay top dollar for, is the formula that has worked to turn AMJ around from a fledgling pineapple and potato wholesaler to a premium, innovative business that gets inquiries from all over the country. “It’s a very specialized area. If you’re more specialized, you’re a more attractive prospect for potential clients,” explains Mrs Abbot. Having a relationship of trust with growers is the essential ingredient, she adds.
The first lot of yuzu trees is expected to shed between 300kg and 500kg of premium priced, quality fruit. It will also mean more versatility and different uses in dishes, according to Mrs Abbot.
For more information
Margy Abbot
AMJ Produce
Phone: +618 83495222
E-mail: admin@amjproduce.com.au
Website: www.amjproduce.com.au