Kerikeri has always been known for its rich, fertile volcanic soil and since Charlotte Kemp planted the first citrus trees around 1818, the area has been renowned for the most delicious citrus. My garden is part of the old orchard area of Kerikeri and from mid-winter to late spring I have an abundance of amazing, juicy, spray-free citrus, especially mandarins, oranges and tangelos. I have always loved a tang of lemon and lime in my cooking, but with the overflow of these orange flavours, I find them working their way into so much of my cooking, and I love it! In comparison to the big, waxed, shiny and often flavourless imported varieties, local fruit is often a little mottled or irregular yet bursting with vibrant, bright flavour. So many are spray- and wax-free, meaning you can utilise the whole fruit, skin, peel and all.