MEET THE MAKER
We chat with Annabelle - Pōneke based tea maker & creative behind Spice Dunes.
“She first discovered the delights of sticky chai in Melbourne, and quickly developed a fond affinity with its tasty warmth. She then spent time in India where this chai romance bloomed to full flower. Enraptured by the days of sitting street-side amongst the hustle and bustle and noise of India, sipping chai, meeting locals and watching cows and people amble on by.”
Photography by Annabelle, Daisy Irvine & Zoe Cachia
Can you explain your work and what you do/make?
I make a sticky masala chai mix and I sell it to cafes, shops, online and occasionally at markets. Sticky chai is a beautiful, aromatic blend of black tea leaves, fresh ginger, semi-crushed spices and honey! It’s a way of making chai where the flavours are really balanced, you get tea, spice and just enough sweetness to tie it together without being overbearing.
Tell us more about the business. How did it start?
Sticky chai is huge in Australia and has been the predominant chai there for many years now! I lived in Melbourne for 3 years and when I moved back to NZ I realised that kiwi cafes were still stuck on syrups and powders, which, in my opinion, are always too sweet and don’t really give you the flavour of the tea or the spices - which is what chai is all about! I also spent 4 months in India several years ago, and was drinking chai every day there. It’s addictive and so yum!
I just really want NZ to have better chai available. My main goal is to have it in cafes nationwide so that I can go and drink it when I’m out and about! I kind of wane in and out of coffee drinking but I prefer to drink tea as I find it so much better in so many ways - the energy trajectory is so much gentler (way less of a crash!), it’s gentler on the digestive system and doesn’t come with a side of anxiety or jitters.
Black tea has a whole raft of health benefits including being high in antioxidants, but one of my favourite features is that it contains L-Theanine which has potent stress-reducing effects; so you get energised whilst also getting that beautiful calming effect. You can’t say that about coffee! I love all tea but good chai is really the icing on the cake for me, and especially a well done chai latte in a cafe! It’s the perfect way to slow down and take a moment for yourself.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
India, Melbourne.. Haha. But overall I’ve always been a big foodie - I worked in kitchens for many years and am passionate about the alchemy of creating delicious flavours.
How important is it for small businesses to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
I think it’s hugely important! Running a small business is incredibly hard, it’s time consuming and mind consuming and especially if you run it on your own it can feel very lonely. Talking to other small business owners and doing your bit to boost each others reach can have such a huge positive impact.
What is the most important message you want to send out to others thinking about starting a business?
Honestly the way I’m feeling at the moment I would say - If you can go in with a business partner it may be easier! There are so many small parts of running a business and it can feel really overwhelming at times. If you have someone else who is passionate about the project and you can split the tasks up between you that may save a lot of stress! Apart from that, get help, hire an accountant, get a business mentor and really do your homework. It’s hard but it definitely has its benefits!
Do you have any daily rituals?
Drinking chai every morning is a ritual, especially if you take time to brew it well. Haha, other than that I often wake up and feel like I just have to launch into the day’s tasks and next thing I know it’s bed time. There are some rituals which I try and do as often as I can - Yoga, meditation and gratitude practise first thing in the morning. ^_^ I would really love to incorporate more rituals and intentionality into my life.
What art inspires you?
That’s a hard question because there is so much! Generally music keeps me going, but what I’m into changes all the time. One of my favourite visual artists is Egon Schiele. My walls at home are actually covered with art, a lot of which was made by really talented friends. Raukawa Kiri, Athena Passione, Knock, Veronica Brett to name a few.
Top 3 fave small businesses?
Ooh that’s a tricky one as well. One would have to be my potter and friend Janeen Page. Her work is so wonderful, and special shout out to Zoe Isaacs as well! Mylk Made are another great one, they are doing awesome work in making delicious plant milk alternatives with no single use packaging!
Where can we see more of you?
Keep an eye on my instagram page, I’m not as active on there as I’d like but it’s a great place to keep up to date with what I’m up to and I usually post there if I’m going to be at a market in the weekend. You can also have a look at my website for more info and to see a list of stockists where you can buy or drink my chai. :)
