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Monday, 2 November 2009

Joostenberg Deli – a stop worth making time for

Farm outside Bloekomsbos

Farm outside Bloekomsbos

Saturday was a day filled with new discoveries and interesting stops. We visited a local farmer, Erick, on his farm just outside Bloekomsbos, accidentally discovered one of the Stellenbosch jewels – Joostenberg Deli – and uncovered a gem of a garden centre just next door.

Erick Zenzele is the farmer that sends us a bag full of peas, cabbage, mixed lettuce leaves, beetroot, broccoli and spinach every week. His farm (his land has been loaned to him by a local farmer) just outside Bellville in Cape Town is part of the local CSA (community supported agriculture) project supported by Slow Food Cape Town together with the Sustainability Institute. A group of families in Cape Town help support the farmers involved by paying upfront for our bags of veg. But it’s also a way of reconnecting with our food. As ‘consumers’ we now know exactly where our vegetables are grown, and after our visit on Saturday, by whom … Continued

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Article by: Cape Town Editor
Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Simply Stunning Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Beautiful Stellenbosch lies just 55 kilometres east of Cape Town sheltered in a valley surrounded by mountains that include the Papegaaiberg - little more than a hill in reality - the Stellenbosch Mountain, Jonkershoek Mountains and the Great Drakenstein Mountains.

Stellenbosch is not only the second oldest European settlement in the Western Cape - it was founded in 1697 by Simon van der Stel who promptly named it ‘Stel’s forest’ after himself - but it is also steeped in history. Its oak-lined streets, like Dorp Street, are bounded by typical Cape Dutch-style buildings that serve as the main thoroughfare of the local university, where the conservatoire is the oldest music school in the country. Continued

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Article by: SA Travel News Editor
Thursday, 25 June 2009

Stellenbosch Natural and Organic Farmers’ Market

Farmers Market

Farmers Market

Pick up freshly picked produce at the Stellenbosch Natural and Organic Farmers’ Market on the grounds of the Stellenbosch Waldorf School. The provenance of organic ingredients sold at this intimate little farm market (trading since 2001) adds simultaneously to the quality of taste and life. The passionate practice of pure pleasures and plantations are sold stallside by earth loving purveyors.

A German bakery warms dreams with hot pretzels and breads. Elgin apple juice takes the texture of organic clouds in a glass. Organic dried fruit and nuts play ‘eat-me’ with free-roaming children. Unpasteurised jersey joghurt leaves an organic cream moustache on smiling faces. Little herb pots flourish under big leaf canopies of trees. Proud pumpkins impress shoppers with their giant form. Organic-lemon syrups alongside organic brown sugar inspires organic dessert ideas. Continued

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Article by: Cape Town Editor
Tuesday, 5 August 2008

Spectacular Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is one of those unique places in South Africa. Known for its wine production, as well as for the Stellenbosch University, one of the premier tertiary education institutions in Cape Town, Stellenbosch is in a class of its own. Stellenbosch offers many attractions for leisure seekers and tourists. The historical town is also known as Eikestad, literally translated as Oak City, and for good reason. Many of the streets are lined with Oak trees planted by early settlers to the area, complimenting the numerous historical buildings dotted throughout the town centre.

The Jonkershoek valley offers many hiking trails and nature reserve areas to explore, as well as picnic spots, some of which allow that typically South African past time. Quite unique among animal viewing experiences in the area are the crocodile park, butterfly world, and the giraffe house. Continued

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Article by: SA Travel News Editor
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