Terminology like biodiversity and sustainability are part of our everyday wine jargon and in the Cape Winelands, fynbos is at the essence of these two concepts. The Cape floral kingdom needs no introduction and is valued for its outstanding diversity, density and the fact that 69% of the estimated 9000 plant species in the region is endemic. But have you ever done a fynbos tasting? There is another aspect to fynbos that although not unfamiliar, might be underutilised and gives another reason for us to value and protect this valuable natural heritage.
Many of us think of fynbos as proteas, pincushions and blushing brides. These spectacular flowers make their appearance on post cards, in tourism videos, are often the inspiration for works of art and blushing brides even found their way into the bridal bouquet of South-African born Charlene, Princess of Monaco! These flowers might be the crown jewels of fynbos, but it would be a terrible miss to only focus on their bright beauty.
Here are some more reasons why fynbos is one of the Cape’s treasures:
Resilience: The fynbos that cover the Cape mountain slopes are very low maintenance. They are adapted to the stormy winters of the Western and Eastern Cape and tolerate extreme summer heat and even fire! Fire facilitates the germination and regeneration of fynbos seeds and it is therefore vital for fynbos veld to burn every 10 to 25 years. While they are responsible consumers of water, they also play an important role in preventing water erosion against the mountain slopes.
Fauna-friendly: Fynbos attract a wide range of indigenous pollinators such as bees, birds and even rodents and therefore facilitate their survival. It is said that the Cape Sugarbird with its long beak, visits more than a hundred plants per day, pollinating fynbos on its way.
Medicinal: The medicinal properties of fynbos are much more than stories. Early inhabitants of the Cape used them for a wide range of cures and today still they are used in the form of teas, herbs, oils and ointments to cure ailments, relieve symptoms or support wellbeing. At La Motte we’ve been extracting ethereal oils from the fynbos growing on the estate for many years, using it as an important ingredient in a range of body products. Sharing the attributes of the essential fynbos oils they are made of the products contain properties that are anti-septic, calming, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, therapeutic, healing and moisturising. Fynbos also deodorise, invigorate and rejuvenate, but I recently attended a masterclass called the Cape Town Fynbos Experience and learned much more! Did you know that bulbine is a natural sunscreen, that cancer bush does more than boost your immunity, it also reduces anxiety and that those sour figs growing on the dunes next to the ocean are the perfect treatment for bluebottle stings?
We also explored fynbos’ unique and inspiring culinary contribution. Add fynbos to salts, sugars and spirits and you will step into a new world of flavour. The Cape snowbush is family of the karoobossie and therefore beautiful with lamb, roast potatoes and to replace rosemary on focaccia. Add rose pelargonium to your malva pudding batter, macerate berries in buchu or make whipped cream a dream with a touch of honeybush. Cinnamon loves a little rooibos and rhinobush is spectacular with a mushroom risotto, croque monsieur or pork roast. The Western Cape’s restaurant and food offerings are exceptional and while chefs are already incorporating fynbos, there’s much more we can do to play and pair and add another authentic touch to the culinary experience – even in our own homes.
What I loved about this fynbos experiment, was realising that each plant had its own identity. They might make for a beautiful aromatic posy when tied together, but there is no need to infuse them with more commercial flavours like vanilla or caramel. The elegance of fynbos lies in its purity. Each type of fynbos has its own unique texture to the touch, an undeniable flavour and taste, healing properties and story. The charm of fynbos is that it is authentic to a degree that even the best marketing presentation can’t explain. Founder and facilitator of South African Fynbos, Giselle Courtney, says the “wildflower biome at the southern tip of Africa is the greatest natural garden on earth”. How foolish would it be not to only celebrate and enjoy our garden, but also to share it with tourists and guests looking for experiences that are natural and real.
Fynbos tells the ancient and sensory story of the Cape, its inhabitants, their development and their cultural awakening. Giselle Courtney is a master in sharing the holistic story of fynbos, but there’s nothing stopping all of us who live within this spectacular garden to become more aware and to start sharing fynbos. Let’s preach its conservation, use it in our medicine and skincare, cook with it, decorate with it, walk among it, awaken palates, open minds and enjoy the beauty and blessing that combines in the poetry of fynbos.