Tropical fruit, no matter its form, comes with a certain kind of magic. That sun-dripped sweetness captivates and transports you to a place of palms swaying in the breeze, soft white sand and untouched rainforests.
For one Northern Queensland Family that magic didn’t quite translate to Victoria. After settling in Melbourne, the founder behind A Taste of the North began searching for the familiar flavours of home. What they found instead were shelves stacked with artificially sweetened, overly processed dried fruit.
The kind that looks good in the packaging but tastes like it forgot the orchard. The kind that leaves you wondering, where did the real fruit go?
That question turned into a mission. One rooted in family, nostalgia and the uncompromising power of nature. Today, A Taste of the North brings small-batch, family-grown tropical fruit from Mareeba, Queensland straight to your pantry. Fresh fruit dried low and slow, without preservatives, additives or unnecessary sugar.
As we roll into back-to-school season, it might just be the smartest snack you can sneak into a lunchbox.
Here’s what’s on the menu – from the farm to your family table:
1. North Queensland Dried Banana
Soft. Chewy. Naturally sweet.
Soft and chewy with a caramelised depth that only time and tropical sunshine can create. These aren’t the chalky discs of childhood lunchboxes—they’re the real deal. Grown in volcanic soil and dried slowly to preserve their natural richness, every bite delivers the honest, earthy sweetness of a just-ripe banana. It’s comfort food disguised as a snack—wholesome, portable and quietly indulgent.
2. North Queensland Dried Dragon Fruit
Vibrant. Exotic. Instagram-worthy.
A showstopper in every sense. With its vibrant magenta hue and subtle, berry-like flavour, this dried dragon fruit is both snack and statement. Slightly crisp on the edges, soft through the middle, it brings a pop of colour and a dose of antioxidants to your desk, gym bag, or grazing board. It’s fruit for those who like their nutrition served with flair—and maybe a side of social media clout.
3. North Queensland Dried Mango
Classic. Juicy. Irresistible.
This is mango as it should be: lush, golden and unapologetically juicy—even when dried. Each slice is a throwback to mango season in Mareeba, when the air is thick with sweetness and the trees groan under the weight of their fruit. Dried gently to concentrate flavour without sacrificing texture, it’s the kind of snack that stops you mid-scroll. Classic, yes—but never ordinary.
4. North Queensland Dried Papaya
Light. Lush. Understated elegance.
Elegant in its restraint, dried papaya doesn't shout—but it lingers. Light and fragrant, with hints of melon and tropical florals, it’s a refined alternative to the usual snack suspects. There’s a softness to it that feels thoughtful—like it remembers the heat of the Queensland sun and offers it back in every bite. A quietly confident addition to any lunchbox, cheese board or late-night pantry raid.
5. North Queensland Dried Pineapple
Tangy. Sweet. Totally addictive
Zingy, bold and borderline addictive, this dried pineapple packs a flavour punch that’s all Queensland swagger. It starts with a tang, eases into sweetness, and finishes with that lingering tropical buzz that makes you reach back for more. No added sugar necessary—just nature doing what it does best. This is the kind of snack that disappears before you’ve finished unpacking the groceries.
Forget the overprocessed snacks and artificial flavours. A Taste of the North brings us back to the source - real fruit, real flavour and real connection to the land. Whether you're packing school lunches, curating a cleaner pantry or simply chasing the sun-soaked Queensland nostalgia, these dried tropical fruits are a small indlugence with big impact. Naturally sweet, locally grown and made with care, it's snacking redefined.
