Why Winter is the Best Time for a Cape Town Fynbos Experience

June to August is Fynbos flowering season in the Cape Floristic Region - the world's richest floral kingdom. 

The landscapes of the Cape awaken in a spectacle unlike anywhere else on Earth. Ancient slopes burst into bloom as thousands of species of Fynbos unfurl their extraordinary forms - sculptural proteas, delicate ericas and intricate flowering shrubs that have evolved over millennia. The result is mesmerizing: a living botanical gallery found nowhere else on the planet.

Winter is also when Fynbos reveals another of its secrets. Cool temperatures, drifting mist and gentle breezes hold the aromatic oils of the vegetation close to the earth, creating an immersive sensory experience. Walk through flowering Fynbos and encounter the pungent notes of Buchu, the rain-kissed petrichor scent of wild rosemary, the herbaceous character of indigenous sage, the resinous complexity of Rhino Bush and the sweet-spicy perfume of Nutmeg Pelargonium.

These remarkable botanicals form part of the South African Fynbos® Culinary Collection, a range of indigenous herbs and seasonings created by Wellington-based founder Giselle Courtney. Harvested sustainably from the Cape's wild landscapes, the collection is bringing the rare and ancient flavours of Fynbos into contemporary kitchens.

"When I began exploring Fynbos flavours, I realised that the Cape Floristic Region is the richest floral kingdom on Earth, yet South Africa had not fully embraced its own unique culinary identity," says Courtney.

"The South African Fynbos® Culinary Collection was created to celebrate flavours that are indigenous, distinctive and that root us in a shared identity as South Africans.

The Cape Town Fynbos Experience® is Giselle's invitation to discover these extraordinary tastes first-hand. Through a carefully curated progression of tastings, the flavour architecture of Fynbos is revealed in surprising and memorable ways. Guests become explorers, experimenting with rare indigenous botanicals through infusions, extracts, tinctures, salts, sugars, vinegars and spirits, every tasting demonstrating why these extraordinary plants are helping shape a new generation of South African cuisine. 

The Cape Town Fynbos Experience® is presented at the home of South African Fynbos® in Wellington, the heart of the Cape Winelands Cape Town Fynbos Experience - Google Maps

See www.southafricanfynbos.com and @southafricanfynbos for event availability.