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Flower Tree Health

Can you give us a little bit of background about Flower Tree Health and how it came to be an integral part of your lives

We started making superfood power smoothies, eating organic wholefoods a couple of years ago because we anted to become healthier and lead a healthier lifestyle.

We were startled with our results physically and mentally and began to tell our friends and work colleagues about the benefits of superfoods and healthy eating.  Before long, we became known as the "health food people" amongst family and friends. 

Then we realised that there were very little options available for organic superfoods and wholefoods that were packaged in glass and also in an attractive package that 'did superfood justice'.  We could only find superfoods and wholefoods packaged in paper or plastic which we found inconvenient: the packaging never seemed to retain the freshness and quality of the product and was wasteful.

The name "flower tree" came to be when we asked our 18 month year old son what we should name the company.  He replied with the only two words he knew at the time which was "flower, tree"....and the rest is history!

Your products speak for themselves in a stunning marriage of branding, packaging and product.  How long of a process was it to get to "that" point: the juncture where all converge to convey that one single message and are you specific about which products you stock and sell or do you let your customers guide you

The "flower of life" logo was born out of an intent to not attempt to brand the products with our personal mark, because quite honestly they are not our products: 99.9% of the work that goes in to our products happens on the farm where the foods are grown.

We want to be as honest as possible and try not to sell or convince a customer that our product is the best: we simply "know" that if we present honestly, the customer will resonate with us and know that we are dispensing things that are good for them.

The "activated nut" has gone from being a "what on earth is an activated nut" to a growing awareness of not just the name but the beneficial health properties it brings. For those who may not fully understand what they are, can you give us a easy-speak summary of these creatures and why we should incorporate them in to our daily nutritional intake

Almonds have a particularly high concentration of vitamins and minerals that can only be released easily into the body by soaking them in water before consumption.

Basically nuts and seeds are a tiny packet of nutrients that are designed to provide the growing plant with the nutrients it needs in its early stages of life (much like an egg yolk is to a chicken).

We can harness those nutrients and energy with a little bit of human ingenuity.  The body requires vitamins, minerals and base load energy to operate without disease (dis-ease): the reason so many people are facing dis-ease is because they have low levels of organic vitamins and minerals.

By far, your hot chocolate would have to be one of the singularly most deliciously decadent yet incredibly healthy and full of superfood qualities there is to be had around. What is the secret to creating not just a ridiculously healthy drink that really boosts you physically and mentally and really wants you to keep going back for more

The ingredients are pure, organic and healthy and are in their concentrated form.  The body knows when it has taken something into it that is really, really good for it and it responds with feel-good chemicals into the brain instantaneously to reward the consciousness telling it a resounding YES!

We know that part of the reason our hot chocolate tastes so good is because good healthy food is so rare to find.  People are surprised that something healthy can taste and feel so good!

How would you sum up with the world of Flower Tree Health in 5 words

With much love flower tree

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And on that note (and because Buddha is smiling so beautifully and warmly...a bit like the hot chocolate you read about above) we thank Bel & Bob for not only bringing their goodness to Kings Cross Market every week, but for sharing a little bit of their world with us and you!

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A floral tribute

There is an amazing blogger who goes by the name of My Darling Darlinghurst and we LOVE her blogs, and along the way we have discovered she is absolutely in love not only with the King of the Plants (Ron) but also all things floral and discovered at our Saturday market.

So we figured why not just have a lovely little pictorial tribute to our Darling Darlinghurst'er and thank her for not just loving Darlinghurst, but blogging about our markets and being a firm fan of our Plant King and Flower Queen!

Aaaaah ......how we love your photos!

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Sharing the love with Jo

How long have you been a fan of Kings Cross Markets

I moved to the area (Potts Point) in February, so I've been walking up to the Saturday Markets at least once a fortnight since then!

To be honest I'd never been before I moved in.  I always used to drive to Bondi or Darlington.

Is this a solo expedition or has the fortnightly ritual become a group activity

Sometimes I love to wander through the markets on my own.  I love being able to listen to the happy bustle and take my time meeting and chatting to strangers.

Occasionally I'll be a meeting a friend for brunch, so we'll organise to meet at the Fountain and wander through the markets before heading off.  I love showing my friends through the stalls.  Everyone I've brought down to the markets is a huge fan!

Do you have a "must have" or is it more of a "let's meander and see what the day is in store and I'll buy whatever takes my fancy"

I always buy flowers.  I have a really cute little sunny area in my apartment that just lights up with a happy bunch of flowers in it.  So that's the staple.

So that's the staple.  I always buy veggies too, although the veggies change a little depending on the season.  And I usually buy a tub of coconut kefir as well...if you don't know what that is, try it at the markets one day!  It will change your life!  Think yoghurt on steroids!

Do you have a fave meal using produce from our markets 

I loooooooovvvvveee the French Cheese (La Planchette).  I love to stand at his stall and keep asking questions, so he'll have to keep talking in his French accent.

I often buy a small cheese wheel from him, so often my Saturday night night meal will include fresh veggies from the market and some of my French cheese.

If you could sum up the "vibe" of Kings Cross Markets in one paragraph what would it be

Fresh and friendly.  Who could want more!

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Our thoughts precisely!  So our recommendation is obviously to visit our markets, see what's on offer, try some of the Coconut Kefir from Amphore, drown in French cheese heaven with La Planchette, buy some organic produce, catch up with friends and perhaps make some new ones while you're there!

Huge thank you to Jo for sharing her time, her photos and her love for Kings Cross Market and look forward to seeing you there sooner rather than later!

5 Questions with Bao Wow

Can you give us a little bit of insight behind the origins of Bao Wow

Originally known as "Gua Bao", it's Taiwanese streetfood that has come into fashion in fine dining restaurants internationally over the past few years but hasn't really been available on the cheap eats scene in Sydney.

The true Taiwanese version has a slice of braised pork belly, coriander, peanuts, pickles, mustard greens and red sugar.  

I've known I've wanted to run my own stall for a while now and when I came across Gua Bao I knew it was the perfect product to sell.  

The original food is excellent but I decided to freshen it up to suit our climate and culture and my own personal taste.  I think the balance between the freshness of the herbs and cucumber combined with the juicy porked roll and fluffy steamed bun makes a perfect match for market brunch.

Even though still somewhat "new" to Kings Cross Markets, you have already established yourself as a firm favourite.  How encouraging has this been for you

To be honest it's a total surprise.  I took a risk and it's definitely paying off.  We've only been going for about 6 weeks and this is my first experience at running a market stall, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but we have already weekly regulars!

It's a fantastic feeling when someone buys a Bao, then comes back to tell me how much they enjoyed it.  Hearing feedback really makes it all worthwhile.

Where do you source your produce from and how long does it take to prep for market

We get our free range pork from AC Butchery in Leichhardt which has a really great range of meat products, and all our vege and herbs from the Vietnamese supermarkets in Marrickvile (around the corner from my house).  I do all the prep on the Friday before market (eg: making the dough and rolling out over 100 buns that are triple proofed, braising the pork so I can pull it in the morning).  

It's pretty labour intensive but it's worth it for the end product.

What is it about market life that keeps it "real" for you

Being able to work outdoors is part of the reason I was drawn to market life and it's as rewarding as I thought it would be (although we haven't had a rainy day yet!).

I also love the camaraderie between stallholders, swapping Bao for a bunch of organic bananas or the best baklava in the world from two stalls down.

In 5 words, how would you sump up life as a stallie at Kings Cross Market

Tiring, rewarding, exciting and delicious

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Delicious is as delicious does and if they sell out week in week out then obviously they are doing something right!

With thanks to Bao Wow for not only sharing some time and photos with us but being part of our Saturday Kings Cross Market Family and as the man who wears the hat says "do yourself a favour" and make sure you swing by to try one of these little beauties (ps: while you're at it, why not let them know you've read the blog too!)