Just off Melbourne’s über-cool Brunswick Street, hipsters are queuing outside cult café Smith & Deli. But while the menu might be based on New York-style cuisine – pastrami sandwiches and home-cooked lasagne – here, things are a little different. Everything sold at Smith & Deli is 100% vegan.

Australians may love their meat, but they are not yet sold on the idea of lab-grown alternatives, with just half saying they would try it. It ticks all the boxes for environmental concerns, animal welfare and even taste, but the one final hurdle to overcome is the mystery of the science itself.

Food is an intrinsic part of culture Down Under, and both domestic and international chefs are now embracing Australia’s indigenous ingredients. Helping them obtain hard-to-source produce is Playing With Fire, an online grocer that sells and delivers a range of native fruits, nuts and spices.

Amid growing health concerns, many Australians are cutting back on sugar, with 24% of them following a diet that restricts their intake. How are they satisfying their craving for a sweet sensation without resorting to artificial alternatives like aspartame that are often regarded with suspicion?