Keep it green
10/2021 - Sahar Saini
Trendy, time-consuming and expensive is what being sustainable in the kitchen sounds like—but it’s simply not true. For eco-warriors & chefs alike, we’re lucky to be here in Berlin. Sustainability is about recognising what you consume most and then finding a way to consume those products in a way that doesn’t leave such a negative impact on our planet. After all, Berlin is buzzing with opportunities to support our locals without breaking our banks.
Round the corner from our numa Drift, Oz Gida (Hauptstraße 16, 10827 Berlin) is my absolute go-to for fruits, veggies, and fresh herbs without packaging in Schöneberg. Turkish supermarkets live in harmony amongst the grocery giants and are scattered all over Berlin.
Head up the road from Oz Gida and you’ll have made your way to Bio Insel (Leberstraße 2, 10829 Berlin) This independent grocery store offers a vast variety of unpackaged veg and salads, peanut butter, fresh tofu and wine in reusable bottles.
If you’re a pulses and grains freak, we’ve got you covered. Die Erbsenzählerei (Kolonnenstraße 48-49, 10829 Berlin) doesn’t just offer the basics (quinoa, popcorn, red lentils, etc) but is also a fantastic Chai and potato chips stop, including some specialty items I haven’t seen elsewhere in Berlin. The collection is ever-changing and evolving, making it an explorer’s paradise with the best oat milk we’ve laid our taste buds on.
FAIR unverpackt (Düsseldorfer Str. 12, 10719 Berlin) in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is where I head for bulk Kombucha and conversation with the lovely owners, who are passionate about their products. On top of having a solid milk machine that allows you to refill your bottles, they have a great selection of basics, as well as never-seen-before items. My favourite is the snack selection, although I’ve been a witness to their solid array of cleaning products and toiletries. If you’re a snacker, this is your stop.
Craving something special? Harb Trading (93 Potsdamer Straße, 10785 Berlin) is a great shop to tick off your list. They’ve outdone themselves with their cardamom coffee and ingredients with an eastern influence. This shop specialises in Arabic cuisine, attracting pickle and jam lovers.
For chefs at heart, there isn’t a greater pleasure than unpacking your sustainable groceries at your numa.