Country Mum's Pantry Better Stocked Than Majority Of City Supermarkets

TRACEY BENDINGER | Culture | Contact

Fenegruk seeds, ras el hanout, cardamom pods. Not the kind of ingredients any normal person would have lying around between the Weet-Bix and the instant coffee. Yet those are the exact ingredients Jules Kirby has today discovered in her mum’s pantry.   

The discovery came after Kirby found a recipe that required several niche ingredients and asked her mother, Mrs. Kirby, if she had "ever even heard of" them.

"Darling yes, I’ve got some in the pantry," Mrs. Kirby replied calmly.

"What else do you need? Nigella seeds? Saffron? Preserved lemons? I’ve got two jars. One’s open."

While a stocked pantry of niche ingredients may sound odd to a city dweller, experts say it is entirely normal behaviour for a country mum with a deep mistrust of supply chains. 

A recent survey conducted by Betoota Technical College confirms rural mothers are statistically more prepared for both a dinner party and societal collapse than the average metropolitan supermarket. Mrs. Kirby alone currently holds two 1L tubs of Chobani Greek yoghurt, which is more than most city supermarkets. 

It’s not yet clear what dish Kirby is making, but The Advocate’s in-house food writer says it’s probably something Middle Eastern. 

More to come.