Magic Man brings micro flavours to the table

Steve Botha of porterville, better known as the “Magic Man”, recently won the Eat In RMB Private Bank award for his Micro Herbs in the category Innovation. Botha grows a huge variety of micro herbs and vegetables, and he holds the trademarks “Micro Greens” and “Magic Greens” in SA. All his produce is organically grown, even though he is not yet certified. His garden comprises a variety of rare plants, the Jerusalem artichoke, the golden beetroot, Japanese golden mustard and brandy wine tomatoes – just to name a few. Botha has always had a passion for ­cooking and has supplied baby ­vegetables to upmarket chefs for the past six years. Three years ago he started supplying micro vegetables and micro herbs. His herbs are miniature, but are bursting with flavour. The first product he shrunk was baby rocket to miniature rocket. He supplies some of the top restaurants in Cape Town such as Ginga, Showroom, Manolo and Jardine (George Jardine was awarded the top chef in SA for 2006). His micro produce is yet to hit retail ­outlets, but discussions are under way. His challenges lie in the fact that because his products are so small they wilt easily and his distribution is therefore complex. Once his market is secure, he wants to franchise but for now has decided to withhold his technical knowledge from the public. He has designed a “mat” in which to grow and sell his herbs. This will enable the herbs to be marketed to retail stores, as there is no soil used. It will combat wilting and the need to supply fresh herbs daily, and the consumer will be able to cut herbs as needed. – Clé Latouf