A Slovenian impresses Australia with her unique pumpkin oil

Owned by an Australian Slovenian, the Australian Pumpkin Seed Company is the only Australian press producing oil from Slovenian pumpkin seeds. Over the last years, the pumpkin seed oil, a traditional Slovenian product for more than 250 years, and other products from pumpkin seeds from Štajerska have gained large success in the land down under. It smells of tradition!

Pumpkin seed oil is a Slovenian culinary specialty which is particularly popular in the Štajerska and Prekmurje regions. It has been produced there for more than 250 years, which ranks it among the important Slovenian traditions. The first press for pumpkin seed oil in the town of Fram was established back in 1750. Pumpkin seed oil is slowly winning recognition and popularity abroad, but it is still hard to find a bottle, let alone a press. The Australian Pumpkin Seed Company is the one and only pumpkin seed oil press in Australia. It is run by the Australian Slovenian Sharan West Rivett. This successful family business has been producing pumpkin seed oil for 12 years. As their company is often visited by tourists, the West family uses these meetings to promote Slovenia. Their shop proudly displays a map of this small European country, the home of the magnificent and precious pumpkin seed oil.

The pumpkin seed oil from the region of Štajerska has its ambassador in the United States of America. Peter X. Kelly, one of the most renowned chefs in New York, is a big fan of this oil. He has many other Slovenian products in his restaurants as well.

The fact that the pumpkin seed oil from Štajerska and Prekmurje is registered with the European Commission proves what a precious Slovenian good it is. Excellent oil can be recognized by its dense viscosity, dark green colour, and mild nutty taste. Other Slovenian registered products are extra virgin olive oil from Slovenian Istra, Nanos cheese, forest honey from Kočevje, Tolminc cheese, the Prlekija tünka, the Zgornjesavinjski želodec cured meat, Šebreljski želodec cured meat, Ptujski lük (a sort of onion from Ptuj), Karst Prosciutto Ham, the Belokranjska pogača bread, Idrija dumplings, Prekmurska gibanica, the Karst zašinek, and Bovec cheese.

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