The Mettwurst Shop

The Mettwurst Shop is the smallest stall at the Central Market, covering a mere 3.6 by 4 metres. It’s a dark little spot. The lights inside are dimmed behind strap upon strap of jerky.

Peek over the counter and you’ll see the owners sewing the naked jerky straps together, ready to be suspended from the ceiling. The shapes are striking – there’s nothing prepackaged or processed here – with large chilli seeds and peppercorns visible in each strip. Below the impressive jerky are neatly stacked pyramids of mettwurst. Each is simply packaged: clear plastic encases the roll and a green-and-orange label tells you what’s inside.

The tiny shop is the best place in SA to get hold of Riverland Smallgoods, which produces smoked sausage in Waikerie. There are 16 varieties, with each tailored to a different palate.

The garlic-and-red-wine salami is pleasantly mild; Grandfathers is drier and more-intensely flavoured; Firestarters are dangerously loaded with chili. All the mettwursts are MSG- and gluten-free, and naturally smoked, coloured and flavoured.