Kataifi Pastry New World: Where to Buy, Price & Availability
Something’s missing from your shopping list, and you can’t quite put your finger on it. Kataifi pastry—that shredded, noodle-like dough used in everything from knafeh to baklava—has a way of disappearing from shelves when you need it most. If you’ve been searching “kataifi pastry new world” and coming up empty, here’s what actually shapes availability at New World stores across New Zealand, and where to turn if the pack isn’t there.
Common Brand at New World: Timos · Typical Package Size: 375g · Usual Store Section: Frozen · Energy per 100g: 296.5 kcal · Origin Style: Shredded filo pastry
Quick snapshot
- Timos Kataifi 375g is the main brand stocked at New World (New World NZ)
- Timos Kataifi is also sold at Farro Fresh and FreshChoice (Timos official site)
- Whether Timos Kataifi arrives fresh or frozen from suppliers
- Exact pricing across all New World store locations nationwide
- Current stock levels at most New World branches beyond Kerikeri
- Timos lists New World and major supermarkets as current stockists (Timos official site)
- Stock fluctuations noted across store locations (Timos official site)
- Check local store or FreshChoice online if New World is out
- Consider shredded filo as a backup option
Where to buy kataifi pastry new world
New World carries Timos Kataifi Shredded Pastry, and the product has an active listing on the retailer’s website. The listing shows the product exists in their system, but availability at individual stores varies. At New World Kerikeri, for example, the product page explicitly states: “Sorry, this item is not available in New World Kerikeri.” This isn’t a system glitch—it’s a realistic snapshot of how specialty items move through the supply chain.
Availability at New World stores
Timos Kataifi is listed in New World’s national catalogue, which means any store can stock it. Whether a specific branch does depends on local demand and how their buyers placed orders. New World notes that product availability is subject to change, and their online stock checker reflects real-time inventory at the store level. If you’re planning a trip, search your local store on the New World website before heading out. If the online checker shows it unavailable, calling the store directly can confirm whether a recent delivery changed the situation.
New World online options
New World offers online shopping through their website, with delivery or click-and-collect options depending on your location. The online platform shows inventory for your chosen store, so you can check availability before ordering. If your local New World is out of stock, you can sometimes find the same Timos product at FreshChoice, which also carries it with online ordering available. FreshChoice Merivale sells Timos Kataifi 375g at $15.99 NZD, and the store confirms they offer online shopping for this item.
Price at New World
New World doesn’t list a public price on their website for Timos Kataifi, but comparable pricing is available from other NZ retailers. FreshChoice Merivale has it at $15.99 NZD for the 375g pack. Woolworths NZ sells the related Timos Filo Pastry Fresh 375g at $7.60 NZD, which is roughly $2.03 per 100g. If you’re comparing value, note that kataifi’s shredded, string-like form involves more processing than standard filo sheets, which partly explains the price difference.
The implication: New World is a viable source for Timos Kataifi, but treat each store individually. The national listing doesn’t guarantee stock at your branch—check online or call ahead.
Is kataifi in the frozen section?
Kataifi pastry is often stored in the frozen aisle at supermarkets, but it’s not always placed there. In the US market, Kontos Kataifi is explicitly sold frozen and kept in freezer cases at retailers like Surfas, priced at $10.25 USD per 1 Lb pack. In New Zealand, Timos lists their kataifi through standard grocery channels rather than a dedicated frozen section, though some stores place it in unexpected aisles like antipasto or specialty foods.
Typical supermarket placement
At FreshChoice Merivale, Timos Kataifi appears in the Antipasto section—not where most shoppers would look for a pastry ingredient. This placement reflects how retailers categorize specialty Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ingredients. If you can’t find it in the bakery or pastry aisle, check international food sections, antipasto corners, or ask a staff member to point you toward their specialty or deli area.
New World section details
New World’s online listing doesn’t specify an in-store section, and the product page notes that placement can vary by store. Some New World locations may keep it in the frozen aisle alongside other pastry doughs, while others shelve it with specialty ingredients. If you’re ordering online for click-and-collect, the store will pick the item from their current shelf location, so the section question only matters if you’re browsing in person.
What this means: Don’t assume kataifi will be in the frozen section or any predictable aisle. At FreshChoice, it’s in Antipasto. At other stores, it could be anywhere from bakery to deli to freezer.
Is kataifi just shredded filo pastry?
Kataifi is made from the same basic dough as filo—flour, water, a touch of oil and salt—but the similarity ends with the ingredients. Where filo is rolled into thin sheets, kataifi is pushed through special dies to create fine, noodle-like strands. The result is a texture that filo sheets simply can’t replicate: delicate, crispy threads that crumble and grab sauce in ways that sheet pastries cannot.
Differences from filo
Filo sheets stack and layer; kataifi strands nest and tangle. When you bake kataifi, you get a crunchy, golden nest of threads rather than flaky layers. This structural difference matters in recipes: kataifi works for wrapping around cheese, nuts, or cream filling to create textured exterior crusts, while filo is better for layered pastries like baklava or spanakopita. Timos describes their kataifi as “soft but forgiving”—their version holds together better than some crunchier commercial varieties, making it suitable for both traditional and experimental dishes.
String pastry description
The name “kataifi” comes from the Greek word meaning “to shell” or “to encase,” referencing how the strands wrap around fillings. Timos officially calls it “Kataifi Pastry,” also describing it as shredded filo or string pastry. The product is described as resembling fine vermicelli noodles, which gives you a visual sense of what the strands look like: thin, uniform, and interlocking when you work with the dough.
The catch: Shredded filo can approximate kataifi in a pinch, but it won’t create the same distinct texture. If your recipe specifically calls for kataifi—like traditional knafeh or certain baklava styles—you’ll notice the difference.
What is a good substitute for kataifi?
The best substitute for kataifi depends on what you’re making. For most recipes, shredded filo pastry comes closest, and commercial options like Kontos offer frozen kataifi-style dough for home bakers. If you’re in New Zealand and can’t find kataifi at all, there are a few paths forward, ranging from store-bought alternatives to homemade hacks.
Common replacements
Shredded filo is the standard substitute. You can buy regular filo sheets and shred them by hand or food processor, though the resulting strands won’t be as fine as commercial kataifi. Kontos Kataifi Phyllo Dough (Frozen), available from US retailers like Surfas for $10.25 USD, is a direct alternative with only 5 left in stock when last checked. In New Zealand, if Timos Kataifi is unavailable, check whether your store stocks Kontos or another imported brand through specialty food retailers.
Hack to make from scratch
Making kataifi from scratch is possible but challenging. The key is creating a very thin batter-based dough that’s poured through a sieve or specialized die to create fine strands. A simpler method: roll regular filo as thin as possible and hand-shred it into small pieces. The texture won’t match commercial kataifi, but it will hold a shape and provide some crunch when baked.
Why this matters: If you’re chasing a traditional knafeh or baklava recipe that specifically requires kataifi, no substitute will give you the exact result. If the dish is flexible—say, a nutty pastry nest—the shredded filo hack will work.
Is there another name for kataifi pastry?
Kataifi is known by several names depending on the region and language. In Greek and Levantine contexts, it’s sometimes called kadaifi or konafa, though konafa more often refers to the dessert dish made with kataifi. In English-speaking markets, the terms “shredded filo pastry” and “string pastry” appear on packaging to describe the product without relying on foreign words.
English and alternative names
Timos officially markets the product as “Kataifi Shredded Pastry” on their New Zealand packaging. In the US, Kontos calls theirs “Kataifi Phyllo Dough,” combining the traditional name with the familiar “phyllo” term. Some retailers simply label it “Shredded Filo” to signal its kinship with standard filo pastry while distinguishing the string form. If you’re searching online, try variations: “kataifi,” “kadaifi,” “konafa,” “shredded filo,” and “string pastry” all return related results.
Related terms like kunafa
Kunafa (or knafeh) is the dessert most closely associated with kataifi—the pastry strands are the signature topping or filling of this Middle Eastern dish. Searching for “kunafa recipes” will lead you to dishes that use kataifi, and vice versa. The two terms are intertwined in recipe databases, food blogs, and supermarket shelving, so searching either will surface the other. If you find a “kunafa kit” at an international grocery store, it likely includes kataifi as the main component.
The pattern: Whatever name you use, you’re describing the same product: fine, noodle-like strands of filo-style dough. Supermarkets may use any of these names, which is why searching with multiple terms increases your chances of finding it.
The table below summarizes pricing across New Zealand and US retailers for kataifi and related products, showing how the 375g Timos pack at FreshChoice compares to other available options.
| Product | Pack size | Store / Region | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timos Kataifi Shredded Pastry | 375g | New World NZ | Not publicly listed | Online listing exists; stock varies by store |
| Timos Kataifi Shredded Pastry | 375g | FreshChoice Merivale | $15.99 NZD | Available online; shelved in Antipasto |
| Timos Kataifi Shredded Pastry | 375g | Farro Fresh (Auckland) | Contact store | Listed as NZ stockist by Timos |
| Timos Filo Pastry Fresh | 375g | Woolworths NZ | $7.60 NZD | Related product; $2.03 per 100g |
| Kontos Kataifi Phyllo Dough | 1 Lb | Surfas (US) | $10.25 USD | Frozen; only 5 left in stock |
| Kontos Kataifi Dough | 1 Lb | Kontos official | Varies by retailer | Retail pack: 12 × 1 Lb per case |
| Generic Shredded Filo | Varies | Supermarkets | Varies | Closest substitute if kataifi unavailable |
Seven products across four retailers, with pricing that confirms kataifi commands a premium over standard filo. FreshChoice’s $15.99 for 375g puts Timos Kataifi at roughly $4.26 per 100g—more than double the $2.03 per 100g for Timos Filo at Woolworths.
Timos dominates the NZ kataifi market with a 375g pack, while the US equivalent (Kontos) is frozen and comes in 1 Lb units. If you’re comparing prices, factor in pack size and freshness format—fresh shredded filo trades differently than frozen.
The nutritional comparison below shows how Timos Kataifi from New Zealand stacks up against the US-based Kontos alternative and standard Timos filo for those tracking macros.
| Attribute | Timos Kataifi (NZ) | Kontos Kataifi Dough (US) | Timos Filo (NZ, for comparison) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack size | 375g | 1 Lb (approx. 454g) | 375g |
| Store section | Varies (Antipasto at FreshChoice) | Frozen | Standard pastry aisle |
| Energy per serving | 300kJ (71 kcal) | 70 calories | Similar to kataifi |
| Protein per serving | 1.05g | Not specified | Similar to kataifi |
| Carbohydrates per serving | 16.3g | Not specified | Similar to kataifi |
| Key ingredients | Wheat flour, water, corn flour, canola oil, salt, preservative (202) | Wheat Flour, Water, Corn Starch, Salt, Soybean Oil, Sodium Propionate | Wheat flour, water, oil, salt |
| Allergen warning | Contains gluten | Contains gluten | Contains gluten |
Both products share a wheat-flour base and share an allergen profile dominated by gluten. The preservative difference—sodium propionate versus 202 (potassium sorbate)—is a regional regulatory variation rather than a meaningful ingredient difference.
Timos Kataifi is not available at New World Kerikeri, and the store’s online system explicitly flags this unavailability. If you’re in the Far North or a smaller center, your New World may not stock it—plan to check FreshChoice, Farro Fresh, or specialty international grocers instead.
Related reading: Sugar Free Chocolate NZ: Best Picks at Countdown & More · Fish Pie Recipe NZ: Best Smoked Versions by Annabel Langbein
surfasonline.com, merivale.store.freshchoice.co.nz, woolworths.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
Does FoodWorks sell kataifi pastry?
FoodWorks is an Australian chain, and kataifi availability there is not confirmed in current research. For NZ shoppers, stick with New World, FreshChoice, Farro Fresh, or specialty international grocers.
Is kataifi at Aldi?
Aldi NZ has not been confirmed as stocking kataifi. Aldi’s product range focuses on core staples rather than specialty international ingredients. Check Aldi’s weekly specials if you’re budget-conscious, but don’t count on kataifi appearing there.
What is the English name for kataifi?
“Shredded filo pastry” and “string pastry” are the most common English descriptions. On packaging, you may see “Kataifi Pastry” alongside these translations. The terms are interchangeable in recipes and product listings.
Is filo pastry the same as kataifi?
No—they share ingredients but differ in form. Filos rolls into thin sheets; kataifi is pushed into fine strands. The textures in finished dishes are completely different.
Which section would kataifi be in?
At most NZ supermarkets, it varies. At FreshChoice Merivale, it’s in the Antipasto section. At stores with frozen international foods, it may be in the freezer. Check international foods, deli, or antipasto first, then ask staff if you don’t find it.
Where to buy kataifi pastry dough today?
For NZ shoppers, FreshChoice Merivale (online and in-store) and Farro Fresh Auckland are confirmed stockists. New World has an active listing but stock varies by location. If those are inaccessible, specialty international food stores may carry imported versions.
Where to find kataifi pastry and pistachio butter?
Pistachio butter is a separate specialty item—look for it at international grocery stores, Middle Eastern grocers, or online retailers. Kataifi and pistachio butter are sometimes stocked near each other in Mediterranean sections, but no NZ retailer has confirmed them as a paired product line.
