Discover Tusca, Italian-inspired Fine Treat Creators

Meet the team updating artisan Italian panforte for contemporary Kiwi palates. 

Meet the team updating artisan Italian panforte for contemporary Kiwi palates. 

Bridget O’Sullivan started J’aime les Macarons, a Christchurch-based macaron company, in 2008. The French confections have a legion of fans across the country and are available in a wide range of flavours, from salted butter caramel to raspberry, rose and lychee. But while Bridget was on maternity leave last year, she began to think about ways the business might expand. 

J’aime les Macarons had hit production capacity in the kitchen and the hunt for a complementary product was underway when a 20-year-old brand named Traditionally Tuscan, which specialised in artisan Italian panforte, came up for sale. 

“I realised there are quite a few aspects to panforte that complement macaron production well,” explains Bridget. “It’s not as technical a product, but it’s infinitely variable in flavours and still has that artisan European stamp of quality – it’s been around forever but it had lots of growth opportunities for us.” 

J’aime les Macarons bought Traditionally Tuscan Panforte, rebranded it as Tusca and set about creating a fresh look and style. 

Panforte, literally meaning ’strong bread’, is a chewy Italian dessert made of fruit and nuts. It has been around for thousands of years – thanks to its high sugar content and density, the Crusaders even took it into battle – and is now traditionally enjoyed as a Christmas treat.

Despite its European origins, Bridget and the team felt it could be made relevant to the New Zealand market and revamped the Traditionally Tuscan flavour offerings with a broader range and local ingredients. 

Tusca’s flavour range now includes Siena (traditional honey and citrus); chocolate; marzipan; and fig and hazelnut – tried and true successes from the Traditionally Tuscan range. But it also features an ever-growing selection of new favourites, developed for contemporary New Zealand palates: think Otago apricot and dark chocolate; or port, prune and dark chocolate. The latter was the dish team’s favourite on sampling day, but there are no duds among the collection. 

The entire Tusca range is made with top-quality, locally sourced ingredients, including walnuts from Trickett’s Grove in West Melton, honey from Wai-Ora Apiaries and hazelnuts from Hazelz in North Canterbury, and Otago apricots from Jackson Orchards in Cromwell. 

As Bridget explains, it’s not just about the taste of the ingredients – exceptional as it is – it’s also a part of the J’aime les Macarons and Tusca ethos. 

“All the products we use are top-quality because we want to produce a really beautiful product. We make panforte that unites the best of an Italian heritage and the best New Zealand produce,” she says. “But we’re also a small business and it’s important to us to support other small businesses.”

Sophisticated and delicious, Tusca’s panforte makes a great gift for foodies – especially given it comes packaged in gorgeous Florentine-marbled card, complete with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Tusca panforte is at home on a cheeseboard, alongside a cup of espresso or savoured with a glass of wine. 

“Panforte is quite rich so you don’t need to eat a lot of it to feel satisfied,” says Bridget. “And while it’s not super sweet, it hits the spot if you feel like you need a sweet full-stop after a meal.” 

When Bridget started J’aime les Macarons 15 years ago, she found many Kiwis weren’t familiar with macarons – something she’s expecting to experience again with panforte. “People used to ask me if the macarons were soaps,” she remembers. “I think there’s some educating to do with panforte as well – but it’s all about knowing how to enjoy it.” 

What’s in the pipeline for Tusca? The flavour possibilities are endless. For now, you can buy Tusca panforte at speciality food stores, including Farro and Moore Wilson’s. If you’re in Christchurch, you can also find it at J’aime les Macarons’ Merivale shop. Or order online! 

Visit tusca.co.nz 

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