Spinifex Brewing Company has unveiled a non-alcoholic ginger beer infused with indigenous superfood Gubinge to commemorate the start of National Reconciliation Week.
The team worked with Robert Dann, a Nyul Nyul man to develop the brew. He was instrumental in leading the wild harvesting process in remote Dampier Peninsula, in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.
More than 400 Indigenous people from the communities on the peninsula were engaged in the project to harvest over 1 tonne of Gubinge and infuse it into the non-alcoholic product.
Gubinge – also known as Kakadu Plum – has the highest natural Vitamin C content. It has been used by the Indigenous communities for its nutritional and healing properties. It contains antioxidants like blueberries and is antifungal and antibacterial in nature.
“By showcasing the incredible health benefits of Indigenous bush foods to the world we can help to create sustainable Indigenous farming enterprises protecting our land from mining and ensuring employment and opportunities for the communities on the Dampier Peninsula,” said Dann.
Spinifex Brewing Company’s head brewer, John Gibbs, said the process was challenging as the team trialled a number of techniques to incorporate the Vitamin C qualities of the fruit in the brew.
“We discovered that freeze-drying the Gubinge was the best approach and we have managed to create a product that includes half the adult daily dose of Vitamin C (40 milligrams),” he said.
The beverage, now available for purchase, is the brand’s first non-alcoholic offering.
