Walking into the old world charm of Kakulas health food shop, the smell is delightful and invites you to stand still for a moment, inhale and enjoy.
I arrived on a coffee roasting day and the smell was delicious, mixed with the wonderful aroma of spices and good healthy food that are in abundance. There is also a takeaway coffee window. You can sit outside and devour some of the delicious treats from here, whilst enjoying your drink. (Yes, I couldn’t wait to get home to taste some of the nuts).
The emporium of old fashioned purchases available from bulk bins and bags was amazing to see. It reminded me of my childhood, when my mother would go to a similar store and buy our breakfast cereal in this method.
Somehow over time, everything changed to pre-weighed and prepacked goods in supermarkets. No enjoyable delicious smells of what you are buying. Some supermarkets have a small selection of produce to buy as you want, but it works out quite expensive. Comparison wise, I was delighted to calculate that most of the produce at Kakulas was cheaper than elsewhere. Nuts, pasta, legumes, tea and coffee, spices, flours, dried fruits, chocolates, confectionary olives, oils, rices, meats and cheeses are plentifully available in a wide variety. Signs for each product tell country of origin, contents and health benefits.
One of my favourite teas is made with ingredients from here. I mix 1 part each of liquorice root tea, lemon myrtle tea and peppermint tea, with two parts rosehip tea. Absolutely delicious and so beneficial to my health.
Experts calculate that 20% of all the food we buy is eventually thrown out and wasted. Here you can purchase exactly the quantity you want, saving food waste and saving money. You choose how much you want and place it in the small lightweight bags to take to the counter to be weighed and priced. This also saves unnecessary packaging that ends up in landfill.
There is also a smaller selection of European prepackaged food that is difficult to find elsewhere.
More than a deli, Kakulas is a fourth generation family business established in 1929 and still going strong. In 1992/93 the original shop expanded to three times the original size, and in 1998 expanded again to five times the original store size, currently about 620sqm.
This is a story of father and son Evangelos and Stavros Kakulas who emigrated from Greece to Western Australia in 1923. They were joined by Evangelo’s wife and three other children in 1926.
Through hard work ethic and strong family unity, the business has succeeded for over 90 years. Still selling similar items over all this time, the family listen to what customers want and aim to supply it with the best available produce.
Cousins Evan and George Kakulas now run the store. Evan engages with customers in the store, and is approachable and friendly. He is happy to share information about his products. It was very interesting to learn how they treat the produce to reduce chemicals, and also what benefits they provide for your health.
Hippocrates, a Greek physician born about 460BC, famously said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Centuries later in 1826, French epicurean Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin wrote “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are” and “The fate of a nation depends on the way that they eat”.
The foods available at Kakulas contribute to a healthier way of eating and living, improving both our bodies and environment. I love shopping at this store, and always end up bringing home more than I originally intended, it is truly scrumptious.
Located at 187 – 187 William Street, Northbridge the store is short 2 minute walk from Perth CBD, and parking is also available nearby.
Happy Travels!
