Below are our articles about past seasonal collections and the featured local purveyors.

We are lucky to have sourced from over 80 different Sonoma County makers.

If you like a product, you can read more about their story and order more directly from the artisan!

Summer Box

PHI KIND CHOCOLATE No.4 Mylk Coconut Cream chocolate, SANTA ROSA  

 Jonathan Pantalis, founder of Phi Kind, always had a passion for food and philanthropy.  He spent many years fighting to overcome depression and fatigue.  He realized that the root of his deteriorating health was the over processed and over-sugared foods he loved so much.  At that point he decided to change his business plan from creating pies to one of creating pure unadulterated chocolate.  None of that over processed stuff!

Phi KindChocolate No.4 is made from un-roasted heirloom Criollo chocolate that has been stone ground under 118 degrees.  Grinding under 118 degrees helps to keep the chocolate raw, allowing it to retain its vitamin and nutrient packed form.  It also contains stone ground coconut butter and organic vanilla bean. This bar is loaded creamy richness with notes of coffee, caramel and vanilla. Enjoy this bar and really savor each rich bite.

This chocolate was meant for those that prefer milk chocolate without the milk. Explore all their great offerings by ordering directly from their website phikind.com

RETROGRADE COFFEE ROASTERS, SEBASTOPOL

Going back to the basics is what we love most about what Danielle and Casey are doing at Retrograde Roasters. Their focus on injecting integrity into everything they put forth makes you want to try everything on their menu. Not only do they roast exceptional coffee, but they make one of the best breakfast frittata sandwiches we have ever had.  They make their pumpkin spice, chai and hemp-coconut milk from scratch and they source Sonoma County made products whenever possible.

We were lucky to experience a coffee tasting (a cupping) hosted by Retrograde and the visiting coffee growers from El Salvador. We smelled and tasted six regions of coffee beans at three stages of brewing. Every coffee roast transformed and we gained a new respect for these special beans grown so intentionally. All the beans Retrograde roasts are imported using direct trade with coffee farmers, which you can trust the producers are getting above fair trade prices to reinvest into their own families and local economies. 

We hope you’ll enjoy this wonderful bag of the Guatemala Organic Co-Op Coffee. Notes of cherry and honey is what you’ll taste from your cup of coffee. You can find more of Retrograde’s products from their website https://www.retrograderoasters.com/ or pay them a visit at 130 South Main Street #103 ​
in Sebastopol for a latte that is out of this world!

THE HAMBURGER RANCH & BBQ, BBQ SAUCE, CLOVERDALE

The world-famous Hamburger Ranch is an iconic restaurant in Cloverdale located at the north end of town. They have “world famous-proof” written on the walls-they have hundreds of postcards from all over the world from travelers that have visited the restaurant. Locals and travelers flock there for the amazing BBQ cooked up year-round by Bob and Joanne Krucker.  One of my favorite things about this restaurant is the cowboy burger with a lasso that serves as their restaurant sign. I remember as a child always giggling whenever I went there with my parents.

More importantly though is that The Hamburger Ranch makes this amazing BBQ sauce!  It is so good it has won gold medals at the Sonoma County fair.  Enjoy it on all your summer BBQ’d meats and veggies!

You can find more information about the goods they offer at 31195 N Redwood Hwy, Cloverdale, CA 95425

Phone: (707) 894-5616

Russian river fine foods, Smokey River BBQ SAUCE, Santa Rosa

We thought it would be fun for you to compare bbq sauces this summer so we’ve included another one.  This sauce hails from a little farther south in the county, Santa Rosa.  Russian River Fine Foods is a family owned business founded in 2004. They strive to make quality sauces by using local ingredients whenever possible.

Just like with bbq sauce from The Hamburger Ranch make sure to use this sauce liberally on your bbq’d foods this summer.

Revolution bread, granola, petaluma

Revolution Bread was founded by Eli Colvin in 2012. Eli has a rich background in baking and he began his career at the Downtown Bakery in Healdsburg. He then moved on to Artisan Breads, Bennett Valley Bakery and the Model Bakery where he worked until he decided to venture out on his own and start Revolution Bread.

Just like his bread, his granola is honest.  It isn’t fancy, but it’s nutritious and you get to taste each ingredient as it is. Combine this granola with any summer fruit and you’ve got yourself a quick and simple dessert for any summer dinner.

You can find Revolution Bread at many of the farmers markets in Sonoma County or you can take a peek at their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RevolutionBread/.

Southpaw Seasonings, bec’s blend original, SANTA ROSA

This is an award-winning salt based blend of spices perfect for any meats, eggs and veggies. Don’t be shy with it, use it liberally. You can pat it in, sprinkle it, rub it in or use it in a marinade. You won’t be disappointed.

Southpaw Seasonings was started by Bryan and Meg Carr and their passion for home cooking. They wanted to create blends of spices for the everyday cook and blends that their children would enjoy as well.  You can find them most Saturdays at the Santa Rosa Vet’s Building Farmers Market or at their website https://www.southpawseasonings.com/

Savory spice, Santa Rosa sweet & spicy sprinkle, SANTA ROSA

If you find yourself in Santa Rosa you must make a stop at Savory Spice shop in downtown Santa Rosa. It is a spice wonderland. Any spice you can think of and many that you did not know existed are at Savory Spice.  Not only that, but every staff member there is so knowledgeable and eager to help you.

In 2004 Janet and Mike Johnston founded Savory Spice out of Denver, Colorado. This shop is such a staple in Sonoma County and they made this blend to pay homage to their Santa Rosa location.  We recommend sprinkling some of this spice on popcorn OR we think it’d go great on prawns.  You’ll get some really nice spicy, sweet coconut curry like flavors. Nowadays, Mike and Janet are operating from their website and have over 30 franchisees under their brand. Find out about their whole new product line at https://www.savoryspiceshop.com/ Enjoy! 

three leaves foods, stoneground oh-mega butter, SANTA ROSA

Craving a rich, savory, sweet nut butter? You’re going to love this one. It’s mixture of almonds, sunflower seeds, coconut oil, maple syrup, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt. Try this on some toast with a cup of Retrograde coffee…mmmm.

Three Leaves Foods impressed us with their mission of making healthy and delicious home cooked meals for those that maybe don’t have a whole lot of extra time or are trying to learn how to incorporate healthier eating into their lives. Three Leaves Foods offers a weekly or monthly subscription for a week’s worth of pre-made meals. You can also stop by their kitchen on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to pick up some a la carte items. They post their weekly menu on their site in advance so you know what you have to look forward to. Started by Rob Hogencamp, Executive Mentor Chef at Ceres Community Project, where he has had the opportunity of mentoring hundreds of local youth in the art of cooking as a form of medicine. Celosia Arcadia, Rob’s right hand woman, has a background in nutrition and herbalism.  

We hope that you’ll find this butter as delicious as we have, and please do continue to support Three Leaves Foods, you can purchase additional items at https://www.threeleavesfoods.com/.

Spring Box

Panizzzera Meat Co. Spice Rub, Occidental

Panizzzera has been providing fresh and local meat products in Occidental circa 1920. Constante and Margaret Panizzera were Italian Immigrants from the Lake Como region of Italy. Constante continued butchering until he was 88 years old. Joe Panizzera carried on the family tradition eventually handing it over to his son Bob.

After nearly 60 years of meat processing, Bob Panizzera finally decided to retire in 2014 on the Panizzzera’s 100 year anniversary.  His two apprentices, Ryan and Josh, have learned over the years how to carefully continue whole animal butchery and the process of manufacturing sausages. With Bob's approval they both took over the company, vowing to continue the tradition.

We wanted to highlight Ryan and Josh’s hard work for continuing this legacy by featuring their delicious spice rubs. It is so neat to see a new generation preserve the integrity of Sonoma County’s history by slowly taking over the small businesses that make our area so unique.

Order your own gift or monthly meat boxes directly at www.panizzerameatco.com. You can also buy awesome sausages at the meat counter at Andy’s Market in Sebastopol. Or, if you’re in Occidental, make sure to stop by their shop at the original slaughter house at 3905 Main St.

Crooks Coffee Blues Breaker Medium Roast, Santa Rosa

Crooks Coffee located in downtown Santa Rosa is the new coffee spot in town.  Not only is it owned and operated by a local family of two moms and three sons, but Crooks Coffee also stays true to local by sourcing locally roasted beans and offering locally baked pastries.  One of the things that we really liked about Crooks is their involvement in trying to create entertainment for the community by hosting scavenger hunts, game nights, open mics, art shows, and live music shows. A little for everyone!

We’re proud to be able to feature their beans in this Spring shipment. We can certainly get down with promoting a family owned business whose main priorities are quality, customer service, and community. 

Enjoy this bag of fresh beans from Crooks Coffee and be sure to visit them at https://www.crookscoffee.com/ or at their shop at 404 Mendocino Ave Suite C Santa Rosa

Pascaline Patisserie and Café, Forestville

Pascaline has wowed us again! We are so excited to feature their lemon loaf cake.  We couldn’t think of a better treat to bring in the Spring than this beautifully delicious loaf cake. We think that you’ll really enjoy drizzling some of Sonoma Sauces Merlot Blackberry sauce over the top…yum!

We remember the first time we walked through those doors we thought we had somehow been teleported to France!  Before our eyes were some of the most beautifully crafted pastries we had ever seen! And there were so many!  Not only were there pastries, but also so many colorful artful candies, savory foods and some of the best hot chocolate we have ever tasted. 

 Co-founders Chef Celine & Chef Didier both have worked at some of the most prestigious hotels and Michelin starred restaurants in France before coming to the U.S. They met at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco before teaming up to start a catering company together. Chef Celine in specializes in sweet while Chef Didier heads up the savory. Pescaline is the type of place that you can order anything and be completely satisfied. 

Please visit Pascaline Patisserie and Café located at 4552 Gravenstein Hwy North Sebastopol, CA to experience first-hand the amazing food coming out of this spot. You can also check them out online at https://pascalinepatisserieandcafe.com/home.

Rustic Bakery Sel Gris Crackers, Petaluma

10 years ago Carol LeValley and Josh Harris started Rustic Bakery.  They wanted to create the perfect flat bread cracker accompaniment for all the wonderful artisan cheeses in our area.  They decided on using the organic ingredients olive oil, sel gris from France and sourdough levain for their crackers. Simple ingredients to create an unadulterated cracker.

Rustic Bakery has opened several cafes in Marin County with their production facility being in Petaluma in Sonoma County.  At each of their cafes you’ll find fresh, organic, simple and delicious foods.  You can also find their products at many grocery stores and small local shops.

We are including this shipment a box of their original Olive Oil and Sel Gris crackers because, like Carol, we agree that it’s the perfect vessel for cheeses, meats, and spreads. 

You can visit Rustic Bakery online at http://www.rusticbakery.com/ or any of their cafes in Novato, Larkspur, and Tiburon.  Crunch!

Vella Dry Jack Cheese, Sonoma

Cheese made with tradition and heart withstands the test of time and Vella Cheese is the example of this.  Vella Cheese has been a staple in the town of Sonoma.  It was founded in 1931 by Gaetano “Tom” Vella who taught everything he knew about cheese making to his son Ig Vella.  Ig Vella went on to carry the on the family tradition and became known as the “godfather of artisanal cheeses.”  Vella Cheese’s Dry Monterey Jack was named one of the top 25 cheeses in America. 

We visited their Sonoma shop one rainy afternoon and we were delighted to find ourselves in a beautiful old brick building.  Their many awards adorned the walls as well as pictures of the Vella family.  Needless to say we very much enjoyed our cheese tasting and hope that you’ll enjoy their cheese as much as we did!

You can visit their Sonoma shop at 315 Second Street East, Sonoma or check them out online https://www.vellacheese.com/index.html

G Nola’s Vanilla Cashew Granola, Santa Rosa

Oh my G Nola! What amazing granola!  This vanilla cashew granola is so tasty! It’s a perfect blend of slightly sweet, slightly savory.  You can really enjoy it with any side of your choosing, whether it be with yogurt, fruit, or a smoothie it’ll add the perfect bit of crunch.

G Nola is a family owned business out of Santa Rosa, and they’re eager to get more people eating granola!  They use butter, not oil, certified organic pure maple syrup, and it comes in four different flavors of Butter Pecan, Chocolate Almond, Vanilla Cashew, and Toasted Coconut. 

Our favorite was the Vanilla Cashew, enjoy it this spring atop of a smoothie!

You can check out G Nola online at https://www.g-nola.com/ or you can find them in our local markets in Sonoma County or at a few select ones in the bay and Sacramento areas.

Sonoma Chocolatier’s Vegan Truffle Box, Sebastopol

“Our company reflects our values:

Care for the earth and it will provide for us;

Treat colleagues and customers as we wish to be treated;

Be compassionate.”

Sonoma Chocolatiers definitely conveys these values in every aspect of their business from ensuring that their chocolate is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. They are Rainforest Alliance Certified and they use recycled or compostable packaging.

Sonoma Chocolatiers was founded by David and his wife Susan.  David started out making chocolates for fun and when he had free time from his job in international environmental policy and conservation.  Susan was as a psychotherapist.  They decided to Leave the Washington D.C. area and move to Sonoma County to be able to live in a healthier environment.  They founded Sonoma Chocolatiers in 2008.

You can feel good about eating these tasty chocolates because every ingredient is sourced locally whenever possible and every ingredient is sourced ethically. Plus they are vegan, so even all the animals are happy. Now doesn’t that make these little truffles taste that much sweeter?!

You can visit Sonoma Chocolatiers at 6988 McKinley St Sebastopol or you can check them out at https://www.sonomachocolatiers.com/.

Deergnaw Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Dry Creek Valley

Deergnaw, the name Russ and Arlene gave their home, their 270 acres and their olive oil. It sits three miles up Chemise road, a rural dirt road in the hills west of Dry Creek Valley. You can tell that this olive oil is special when you taste its bright grassy and buttery balance. Estate grown and hand harvested, Russ can stand behind his exceptional product at the Healdsburg Farmers market where we had our first taste.  

Libby from Beet Generation Farm Pasta raved about working with Russ and about the gift set collaboration that they did with Deergnaw Olive Oil and their Pasta over the holidays. She hooked us up and we had to feature it this Spring so you can see for yourself how special this Olive Oil really is.

You can order more at www.deergnaw.com or come out to The Healdsburg Farmers Market on Saturdays May-November 8:30 –Noon to meet Russ yourself and have a tasting!

Blackberry Merlot Dessert Sauce by Sonoma Sauces, Santa Rosa

Jennifer has suck gold with her rich, deep purple and decadent sauces. As a professional boutique dessert maker, she knows that everyone loves dark juicy fruit to drizzle over their cheesecake slice or ice cream. And what is any good dessert without wine? She makes a Zinfandel Dark Cherry Sauce and this Blackberry Merlot sauce that we think pares perfectly with this Lemon Cake loaf from Pescaline in your Spring box.

Jennifer can also make wedding cakes, cupcakes and design dessert bars for any occasion big or small. She is passionate about handmade desserts and you can order your own custom creation directly from her at www.sonomacake.com!  Or you can check out her Instagram page to get inspired, like we did, @sonomasauces.

Winter Box

Petaluma Toffee Company, Petaluma

We've been wanting to feature Petaluma Toffee Co. for a while, but we didn't make the leap until a few weekends ago when we had a booth at the holiday craft faire in Petaluma right by Suzanne and her delicious toffee.  We were given samples of their Coffee Toffee, Original and even Whiskey Toffee and realized that this Winter was the time to include it in our subscription. This is a small, family owned and operated business and every piece of toffee they make is made with love and care.  Suzanne and her husband started in their kitchen, making it for friends family for the holidays. Now is our chance to share it with you and plus, who doesn't want a little sweetness over the winter season? 

You can order more by contacting Suzanne directly at PetalumaToffee@gmail.com or if you are in Sonoma County, visit the Valley Ford Store.

Tulsi Tea By Tea Maker, Cynthia Alvarez, Santa Rosa

Cynthia is no stranger to the importance of local organically grown foods.  Her dad is Hector of Hector's Honey who is a 3rd generation Santa Rosa farmer and bee keeper. Cynthia grew up on the family farm and has been working the farmers markets with her mom and dad since she was old enough to walk! Cynthia thought that she wanted to be a nurse and so started the nursing program through the Santa Rosa Junior College. She soon realized that she missed being outdoors, she missed having the connection with the land as well as realizing that she didn't like the way western medicine relied so heavily on pharmaceuticals.  She decided to instead enroll at the California School of Herbal Studies in Forestville, CA.  This is where she learned of the medicinal properties of herbs, which has become her passion and she now grows, handpicks and dries many different herbs on her dad's property to make her ever-changing tea blends..

This bag of Tulsi tea that we have chosen to be a part of our Winter box is a blend of Tulsi, orange peel, juju berries and cinnamon.  A perfect blend for the cold winter days. We included a fabric tea bag so you can easily steep a perfect pot of tea.

You can find Cynthia and her teas on Wednesdays and Saturdays in her family’s Hector's Honey stand at the Santa Rosa Farmer’s Market at the Luther Burbank Center.

Paul Moktan’s Habanero Hot Sauce, Himalayan Tandoori and Curry House, Sebastopol

Paul's father opened up the Himalayan Tandoori and Curry House in Sebastopol in 2007.  Initially, Paul thought that his calling in life was to be a lawyer, and in fact he did go to law school at Sonoma State University, but soon realized that his passion was for food.  He loved working with fresh ingredients with integrity and being able to work alongside his father.  His family takes pride in making everything from scratch at the restaurant, which is how his desire to make hot sauce surfaced.  After looking up videos on Youtube, Paul chose to do a habanero based hot sauce because of the fruity notes that you get from this pepper. These fruity notes happen to pair very well with Himalayan foods. He decided against fermenting his hot sauce because he wanted to keep it spicy and bright. He even uses Himalayan salt in his sauce to stay true to his roots.   

This is a very tasty hot sauce, but we do caution that it is spicy, so use sparingly as you will get so much flavor and spice with just a few drops.  You can contact Paul Moktan directly if you'd like to get your hands on more spicy hot sauce goodness at paulmoktan@gmail.com

Eye Candy Chocolatier’s Holiday Truffle Box, Sebastopol

We loved the story behind Eye Candy and couldn't wait to feature the chocolate in this box.  Eye Candy was founded by Dr. Sonja Schluter, ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma treatment,  who on her spare time and days off found stress release in making beautiful delicious chocolate.  Dr. Schluter did attend Ecole Chocolat in Vancouver where she learned the art of chocolate making.  After 20 years of making chocolate for family, friends and her patients, she's now opened up a retail shop.  She donates a portion of the proceeds from her chocolate to the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

Dr. Schluter uses a blend of cacao that's between 54-64%, which she then pairs so gracefully with other flavors. 

You can find Eye Candy at the Gravenstein Station in Sebastopol or you can give them a call at 707.888.0568.

Cranberry Mostarda By Lala's Urban Farmstand, Petaluma

We met Leslie a couple of years back and have featured her jams in prior boxes.  We keep going back to Leslie because her products are made from pesticide free veggies and fruits and most of the produce she uses for her products come from her neighbors' gardens.  If you live in the county please visit Lala's Jam Bar and Urban Farmstand in Petaluma or you can visit her website at https://lalasjams.com/.  

This cranberry mostarda is the perfect spread for the upcoming holidays. It is an old Italian recipe that is special to this season and it takes five whole days to make! It's a perfect combination of sweet and tart and will tie together any cheeseboard you prepare this holiday season, enjoy!

Taylor Lane’s Rise and Shine Organic Coffee, Sebastopol

Taylor Maid was founded 25 years ago by Chris and Terry Martin.  They began roasting organic coffee in the barn on their property on Taylor Lane in Occidental, CA.  They moved to Sebastopol in 1995, the same year they began packaging their coffee in steel cans which led the way to the re-fill program at local grocery stores.  People could now take their steel cans and reuse them by filling them when they went grocery shopping.

We fast forward a few years to 2012 when they opened up their first retail shop in the Barlow and then to 2017 when Taylor Maid was sold to a couple of local families and re-branded as Taylor Lane Organic Coffee to modernize and pay homage to the local road name where it all began back in 1993.

We chose the Rise and Shine blend because it's a bright blend and a well balanced combination of light and medium roasts. We love Taylor Lane Coffee because of its high quality, consistency and nostalgic aromas of Sonoma County bakeries, restaurants and coffee shops.

You can visit the Taylor Lane's Retail shop at the Barlow in Sebastopol or you can check them out at https://www.taylorlane.com/. 

Della Fattoria’s Cranberry Compote, Petaluma

We were on a cranberry kick with this winter box and couldn't resist including this cranberry compote from Della Fattoria.  Anything cranberry is a great addition to the flavors of the holiday season. Della Fattoria, Italian translation for from the farm, was started by Kathleen Weber.  It all began when Kathleen read Carol Field's "The Italian Baker."  Kathleen's first "retail shop" was the trunk of her Volvo, Della Fattoria has come a long way since then.  It is definitely a Sonoma County staple.  You can visit Della Fattoria the next time you're in Petaluma or you can look them up at dellafattoria.com.

Bryerton's Cinnamon & Smokehouse Roasted Almonds, Santa Rosa

William and Rhonda Bryerton are the founders of this lovely company. Their almonds are fresh, crunchy, and packed with flavor.  They make the perfect addition to any of your winter gatherings.  We decided to opt for a sweet and savory combination in one box to satisfy your cravings. The cinnamon flavored almonds will remind you of the tastes and smells of holiday baking; while the smokehouse almonds will add a touch of smoky umami goodness.  You can find Rhonda and William at practically all of the Sonoma County farmers markets as well being able to contact them through their website at https://bryertonsroastedalmonds.com/.  Enjoy!

Fall Box 2018

Eat-Your-Medicine Gomasio By Rain and Sun Family Farms, Sebastopol

Do you have pain, stress or need to boost your immunity? I know we do! That’s why we love and are happy to tell you about Rain and Sun Family Wellness and Green Valley Farm and Mill. It’s a place where you can celebrate all the tools we have to help better our lives. They grow beautiful organic fruits, vegetables and herbs, offer acupuncture treatments (by A.J Seo) and psychic readings (by Rosa Reinikainen). They also offer classes there on how to boost your immune system, give herbal consultations and create their own remedies.

I was lucky to meet A.J and Rosa at the Sebastopol Farmers Market when looking for something special for our Fall Box. Their warmth was immediately inviting and I was able to taste three different “Eat-Your-Medicine” Gomasio blends. All of them blew me away with their layers of flavor, but I had to go with the savory one because I kept going back for more. You can sprinkle it on just about anything savory and feel like you are taking care of your yourself a litte more during your day. It’s perfect for the cold and flu season coming up. I love it on salads because of the lemon zest and sesame seeds give it zest and great texture.

You can find more magical food medicine at rainandsunfamilywellness.com and make sure to join their mailing list to see all the great farm and self-care events coming up. We know we are happy we did!    

Jalapeño Hot Sauce by Preserve Farm Kitchens, Petaluma

Preserve Farm Kitches was founded by Merrilee Olsen (CEO and Founder) and the late legendary Sonoma County farmer Nancy Skall. It all started at the Healdsburg Farmers Market years ago when Merrilee went to buy a special varietal of strawberries from Nancy. She found out at this trip that any unsold strawberries ( because of cosmetic reasons) were headed for the compost and thinking “what a shame.” Merrilee decided to instead ask Nancy if she could use those strawberries to make into jam that she could then sell at the market.  Nancy agreed, that was to be the beginning. Merrilee realized that she could help reduce the waste by turning these perfectly good fruits and vegetables into preserves.  She had years of experience working in the food industry so that wasn’t a hard task for her. Their mission for Preserve Farm Kitchens is to support local farmers to make products that are local, sustainable and fair trade.  This is one of the reasons we decided to feature their hot sauce and the other being of course that it’s mighty tasty! 

You can add this hot sauce to really anything to give it that extra kick you’re looking for.

You can find Preserve Farm Kitchens at some Whole Foods Markets as well as at their website https://preservefarmkitchens.com/.  Thank you to Merrilee and Nancy for starting such a wonderful business aimed to support our local farmers.

Heirloom Floriani Polenta by Front Porch Farm, Healdsburg 

One of our favorite things about the Healdsburg Farmers Market is the beautiful way that the produce is presented.  Front Porch Farm’s stand is no exception.  The bags of Floriani red flint corn Polenta caught our eyes this fall.  Floriani red flint corn is from northern Italy and grown widely throughout the area because of its exceptional flavor and qualities for making great polenta.  It’s pretty rare variety and not too widely planted in the United States.  We commend Front Porch Farm for dedicating itself to not only growing this Floriani red flint corn, but also for growing other heritage varietals which contain far more nutritional value than their mass produced counter parts. 

Polenta would be a delicious addition to any fall meal, and we think it would pair wonderfully with the Mushroom Jerky Maitake Bbq.

You can find Front Porch Farm at the Healdsburg Farmers Market, or at their website https://fpfarm.com/contact/.  Enjoy this beautiful hearty polenta!

Mushroom Jerky Maitake BBQ by Sporgy, Healdsburg 

Now a scrumptious treat for our vegetarian and vegan friends!  We have found another mushroom jerky company in Sonoma County!  We are excited to see new plant based options popping up throughout the county.  These mushroom snacks will help kick that bbq craving that seems to come around every summer and fall.  They are made out of locally grown Organic Maitake mushrooms, smoked with a special blend of woods and then mixed with their bbq sauce, for an explosion of umami. 

Sporgy was created by two chefs crazy about mushrooms.  Chef Carlee is a vegetarian and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, New York.  She’s worked through out the restaurant industry on the east coast, as a personal chef, and also as a competitor on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen television show-pretty cool!

Chef Adam also has an impressive background as a chef in mass catering, find dining, and as a personal chef.  Adam brings the bbq flavor to their mushroom jerky as he comes from Texas, and as we all know Texans love their bbq sauce!  The two met while working in Southern California and both decided to migrate to our beautiful county where the idea for Sporgy was sprung.

You can contact Chef Carlee and Chef Adam at any of the farmers markets in Windsor and Healdsburg and of course at their website https://sporgymushrooms.com/.  Nom, nom, nom!

LAURA'S APPLE Cider Vinegar, APPLES FROM LAURA'S GRAVENSTEIN ORCHARD IN SEBASTOPOL 

Laura has done it again!  We featured Laura’s apple butter last year in our Fall box, and thought it was time to feature her again.  This time we went with her double fermented lightly oaked apple cider vinegar.  The apple cider vinegar is bright and wonderful.  We recommend using it in combination with another item as a salad dressing or perhaps as a topper for meats, especially pork.

Laura has been making preserves since she was a child, and it's a good thing that she hasn't stopped!  As soon as you meet Laura you immediately get a sense that she is a person passionate about what she does.  Her enthusiasm for what she makes is contagious.

You can contact Laura at Laurahasapples@comcast.net or by visiting her at the Veterans Building Santa Rosa Farmers Market, Sebastopol Farmers Market or the Bodega Bay Farmers Market.

St. Jorge Cheese by Joe Matos Cheese Factory, Santa Rosa

Aged for 60 days, made from Sonoma County grown cows, complexity coming from its texture and depth.  These are words that describe the St. Jorge Cheese from the Matos family. 

Joe and Mary Matos came to the county in the 1970s from the Portuguese Azores island bringing with them the recipe to island’s famous cheese.  Joe and Mary began the farm in the 80’s making the cheese to mostly sell to the Portuguese community in Northern California, but it’s goodness wasn’t kept a secret for long, soon it became distributed across the country.  Even though their cheese has a reputation of being one of the finest, the Matos stay true to being a family operated farm and cheese factory.  You can still visit them at 3669 Llano Road, Santa Rosa at their farm for some cheese tasting. It truly is a Sonoma County hidden gem. We recommend using the St. Jorge cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich…mmm,mmm,mmm.

You can also buy St. Jorge at the Luther Burbank Farmers Market.

Seaweed Chocolate and Seaweed Salt by Sea of Change Trading Company, Windsor 

Sea of Change Trading Company founded by Courtney Smith and Anastasia & Cole Meeker in 2015, is unfortunately closing its doors as they have decided to start a new venture by buying and renovation the historic Morton’s Warm Springs in Glen Ellen!  We are very thrilled though to be able to share some of their goods with you before everything is eaten up.  Inspired by the bounty of the sea and the richness of nutrition that sea vegetables (seaweed) have to offer, Sea Of Change wanted to share this richness through snacks made of sea vegetables.

Cole Meeker was eating a chocolate bar on one of the trips out to the ocean to harvest wild seaweed when the idea popped in his head to combine the two together-cocoa and seaweed.  He did some research and couldn’t find any other producers in the U.S. doing this.

We are featuring their dark chocolate ( Dark and Salty) Dulse bar because, how could we not? A healthy delicious chocolaty treat, that’s also good for you?! We stumbled on a gem! Along with the chocolate bar, we have also included a seaweed salt that is perfect for sprinkling on some veggies, salad mix, or perhaps a nice cut of fish. Enjoy!

Chai Spiced Sea Salt Caramels by Wine Truffle Boutique, Chocolates and Gelato, Kenwood

We hope you’ll enjoy these little morsels of salty sweetness, we sure did!  As the temperatures cools down, cold treats are no longer craved as much as they were in the hot summer months, and we couldn’t think of a more fitting fall dessert than a creamy Chai Spice Caramels.

Wine Truffle boutique was started by two young women entrepreneurs who had grown up loving the art of chocolate making.  Libby Miller grew up watching and working alongside her mother in their downtown St. Helena candy shop.  When the shop was sold, Libby went on to other adventures, but her love of sweets brought her back to her roots.  She now gets to make confections using her family’s recipes. Regina Taormina Rolland was born in Albany New York and migrated to the county in the late 90’s when she was just in her early twenties.  She grew up in a household that loved having family and friends over to share laughs and food.  She amazingly received her first culinary award at the age of 15 for her triple chocolate cheesecake!  There couldn’t be a more perfect duo for this idyllic boutique.

Please find Wine Truffle Boutique the next time you’re in Kenwood at VJB Cellars in their Italian marketplace.  You can also check them out at their website https://winetruffleboutique.com/.

Summer Box 2018

The first batch of this year's Peach Jam by Dry Creek Peach and Produce, Healdsburg

When you think of Summer what’s the first thought that pops in your head?  For us it’s the sweet, sweet smell and taste of peaches. Nothing quite spells out Summer like the sweet juice of a peach running down your fingers and hand as you take a bite out of a local summer peach.  Sure, we can now buy peaches year-round at the super market, but they just don’t compare to ones you buy when they’re in season and especially if they’re grown locally.

Brian, Gayle, and Patrick Sullivan have been growing organic heirloom peaches in the Dry Creek Valley of Healdsburg for 18 years, and they are one of the last remaining peach farms in Northern California.  They are grateful and proud to be able to farm their land, which has a long history of peach and produce growing dating back to the 1970’s.  Dry Creek Peach and Produce truly is a Sonoma County treasure because they remind us that before all the vineyards were planted, this climate and soil grew a diverse amount of fruits, veggies and nuts. You can find the Dry Creek Peach and Produce booth at the Healdsburg farmers market or at their farm stand located off of Yoakim Bridge road. See them online at http://www.drycreekpeach.com/index.html. 

We came across this peach jam late last summer so we didn’t have the opportunity to include it, but vowed that we would the following summer so here it is!  Summer in a jar!  And please support your local farmers because they really are doing a labor of love by growing our food.

Hibiscus Iced Tea Kit made by the Jimtown Store, Healdsburg

Jimtown, located just off of highway 128 in Healdsburg, has been a part of the local community since 1895!  Back in those days it served as a general store, post office and meeting place for locals.  It no longer serves as a post office, but it remains a hangout for locals and tourists alike gathering together to enjoy the wonderful foods, quirky artwork and gadgets that remind you of yester-year.

Carrie Brown, the owner, purchased Jimtown Store in 1989 with her late husband John Werner and opened doors to the public Memorial Day weekend in 1991.  Its hard to find Jimtown Store items in local stores, but you can purchase them online on their website https://www.jimtown.com/. You really do have to take a trip to the actual store though, it is very much a treat to feel like you’re stepping back in time to old Sonoma County.

We have chosen to share with you their Spiced Hibiscus Tea Kit, because Hibiscus reminds us of summer.  It’s refreshing, spicy, slightly tangy and sweet! You can enjoy it hot for an evening treat or sip on it chilled.

Bella Rosa Morning Star Coffee, Santa Rosa

 John at Bella Rosa specializes in roasting Organic, Fair Trade and shade grown coffee. Named after Rose, the Brooklyn  / Sicilian Grandmother of John’s wife, Bella Rosa is all about family and community. This is a business that takes pride in using the smallest carbon footprint possible. The ideology behind his business is to promote local to put profits back into the community. Bella Rosa puts time and money into supporting community events and education and encourages other local business to do the same.

John has also designed his own roaster. Instead of using a drum roaster, he uses convection technology so his coffee never comes in contact with hot steel. Very hot air gently roasts the beans, which results in a full flavored, smooth and a low Chlorogenic Acid coffee that is easier on your stomach.

We chose Bella Rosa’s Morning Star medium roast on John’s recommendation. It’s a blend of Fair Trade Sumatra and Chiapas beans. We brewed a cup and we agree that is a perfect way to wake up and start your Summer mornings.

Check out Bella Rosa's Café Monday thru Friday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm at 5491 Skylane Blvd. Suite 140 in Santa Rosa for some fresh baked goods. You can also call in a coffee order at (707)542-6220 or you can order directly off their website at www.bellarosacoffeecompany.com

Thank you John!

Kiss the Flower Bee Pollen, Santa Rosa

"Integrity is our bottom line."  We love that about Kiss the Flower, and it is very visible with every one of their honey products. DeWitt Barker is the founder and owner of Kiss the Flower, which he founded in 2010; although he had been studying beekeeping and working with bees since before 2005 when he left his career in the music industry and decided to pursue his passion for bees.

DeWitt has located most of his hives in west Sonoma County and now has up to 100 hives producing 3,000 pounds of honey! Pretty incredible! His signature is selling honeycomb. He believes this is a way that people can feel ensured that they are getting real unadulterated honey. 

Not only does Kiss the Flower sell honey, they also sell bee pollen.  In this Summer box, you’ll find a small jar filled with colorful little beads, which are beautiful and bee pollen.  You may not be as familiar with bee pollen, but it has many uses. You can sprinkle it on your oatmeal (as I did this morning), add it to your smoothies or for a very summery dessert-you can sprinkle it on some ice cream!  Not only is bee pollen tasty but it’s also very nutritious, so sprinkle up and enjoy!

You can check out Kiss the Flower at https://www.kisstheflowerhoney.com/. 

Sonoma Spice Queen Java BBQ Spice Rub, Petaluma

Wind’s love for history and culture was leading her down a path to becoming a social studies teacher, but her keen palate kept leading her to explore the flavors of the past. After taking many cooking classes to identify the flavors and techniques of different cultural foods, she realized that every recipe was built on the blend of spices used. 

After a lot of research and experimenting, Wind came up with some of her very own Organic spice blends.

When I visited her store in Downtown Petaluma for the first time, I was overwhelmed with the wonderful aromas as soon as I walked into the door. Wind is super personal and friendly and she was happy to help me discover something new to use in my kitchen.

All her beautifully labeled jars and tins are arranged with sample jars so you can smell each one before your purchase. I found a Chinese five spice,  a chai masala and a Spring garlic salt I could not leave without! Her curries and North African spices are intoxicating too!

We decided because it is Summer, we needed one of her great rubs for the BBQ. We landed on this Java BBQ rub because it is unlike anything you have ever had. Using local coffee from Retrograde this rub adds roasty notes to your grilled chicken, pork or steak. Wind also has a killer recipe for grilled mushroom and roasted almond tacos!

The possibilities are endless with the help of Wind’s Organic spice blends. You can find her website at www.sonomaspicequeen.com, but we highly recommend you pay her a visit at 407 C St in Petaluma to see her quality selection for yourself.

Peanut Brittle by Pascaline Patisserie and Café, Forestville

Oh Pascaline, Pascaline!  The first time we walked through those doors we thought we had somehow been teleported to France!  Before our eyes were some of the most beautifully crafted pastries we had ever seen! And there were so many!  Not only were there pastries, but also so many colorful artful candies, savory foods and some of the best hot chocolate we have ever tasted.  Right then and there we knew we had to include something from Pascaline’s in one of our upcoming shipments.

We decided on a classic Peanut Brittle hand crafted by Chef Celine to include in this Summer box. It is bright, crunchy, and so very tasty. It's exactly what you need to munch on while you welcome in the first day of Summer.

Co-founders Chef Celine & Chef Didier both have worked at some of the most prestigious hotels and Michelin starred restaurants in France before coming to the U.S. They met at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco before teaming up to start a catering company together. Chef Celine in specializes in sweet while Chef Didier heads up the savory. Pescaline is the type of place that you can order anything and be completely satisfied. 

Please visit Pascaline Patisserie and Café located at 4552 Gravenstein Hwy North Sebastopol, CA to experience first-hand the amazing food coming out of this spot. You can also check them out online at https://pascalinepatisserieandcafe.com/home.

Stevenson’s Smoked Salmon, Petaluma

Paula Stevenson never liked fish yet she always had it in the kitchen because her husband is a salmon fisherman. She baked it, broiled it and grilled it, but she could not find a way to enjoy it.  She then had a bright idea to smoke it! Her family set up the smoker and she tried different recipes to find something she liked.  Finally she landed on marinating salmon in red wine, soy sauce, molasses and a few secret spices. Voilà, she loved it and so does everyone else.  Enough to start her own local business you can find at the Luther Burbank Farmers Market.  If you love it, like we do, you can order by phone and Paula will send you some. (707)-799-6329

Dry Creek General Store Rice Crispy Treats & Pickled Green Beans, Healdsburg

When was the last time you had a rice crispy treat the size of a delicious looking brick? How about a big jar of home made tangy pickled green beans? We saw these new items in one of our favorite lunch spots and we had to get a few for ourselves. After we tasted them (though it was a weird combo) we could not wait to share them with our subscribers. There all all types of quality, unique & hand made products at The Dry Creek General Store that you never knew you needed until you see them for yourself. We highly encourage you to visit if you can!

The Dry Creek General Store is historic because it has been serving the valley since 1881! Here is a little background; The Dry Creek Valley had only 10 families settled in it during the gold rush in 1849. Early farmers were growing hops, wheat and raising sheep in Healdsburg. French immigrant Georges Bloch introduced wine to the valley in 1870. Fifteen years later the region had 54 separate vineyards totaling 883 acres, with well over half the acreage planted in Zinfandel. This influx of industry set off R. H. Bagley to build the store on Dry Creek Road. After the construction, the whole area held a barn dance to celebrate the Dry Creek General Store! 

To this day, you can get lunch, locally made goods and always find something new. We highly recommend sitting outside on a hot day with a cold drink to watch the vines grow across the street. To learn more about the DCGS visit, www.drycreekgeneralstore1881.com

Spring Box 2018

Cookie Take a Bite Lemon Sugar Sparkler and Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Cookies, Santa Rosa

Tracy Mattson of Cookie Take a Bite is the type of person you are always happy to see. She is a true entrepreneur and she makes the best bite sized cookies in town!

Tracy is a classically trained pastry chef who has worked in fine dining restaurants with esteemed chefs all around the US before she settled down here in Sonoma County.

Her love of cookies started from sneaking cookie dough from her mothers mixing bowl and it grew into a love she could share with her family and community.  We love trying her new flavors and indulging in her originals, like chocolate chip and her amazing gluten free peanut butter cookies.

When asking Tracy about which cookie to feature for Spring, she gave us two options, Lemon Sugar Sparkler and Chocolate Raspberry Swirl. We just had to pick both. You can try all her delicious flavors by custom ordering cookies for special events, corporate gifts and sign up for her Cookie of the Month Subscription on her website cookietakeabite.com.  

Hardcore Kalani Coffee, Sebastopol

Hardcore in Sebastopol off Hwy 116 and Bloomfield Rd is a Sonoma County hub for meeting up and grabbing a hot cup of delicious Organic Coffee. They only serve espresso in their coffee drinks so every serving is fresh and special.  Molly Sunde has been running Hardcore since 1995. She started out in the back of a Volkswagen van. Even through multiple shutdowns due to the old original building falling apart, Hardcore always found a way to stay open with the help and support of their loyal customers and community. 

We love going to Hardcore because there is always someone sharing music, produce, news, art or great conversation. You can sit in bathtub chairs and look at the beautiful flowers and people watch while sipping on a terrific beverage. 

Enjoy this big bag of wonderful freshly roasted coffee with a slice of toasted Grindstone bread and some DeVero lemon curd in the morning. If you want to order more fresh coffee for pick up, call Molly at 707-823-7588.  
 

Chef Josef’s Citrus Tarragon Seasoning Blend, Santa Rosa

As the director of Meals on Wheels and the purveyor of flavor from his creative seasoning blends, Chef Josef brings a lot to the table here in Sonoma County. After 40 years of being a respected chef, Josef was able to develop his signature spice blends to bring consistent enhancement to his gourmet cooking. He started packaging them originally as Christmas gifts for family. There was such a great response that he started sharing them with all of us!

   We met him at his booth at the Healdsburg Farmers Market where he let us taste his entire product line. He has won double gold and gold awards at the Santa Rosa Fair, and right away we could see why!

We loved his Original Spice Blend that goes well with anything savory, but we chose his Citrus Tarragon Blend for this Spring box because of its bright notes. We tried it on scallops, chicken, eggs, steamed vegetables and blended with olive oil and rice wine vinegar to make an awesome vinaigrette for salad! Yum!

Find Chef Josef online at www.chefjosef.com to order all his blends and discover his wonderful recipes you can easily make in your home kitchen. You can also visit him by volunteering at Meals on Wheels off Kawana Springs RD is Santa Rosa. 

Phi Kind Chocolate 85% Ecuadorian Raw Cocoa, Santa Rosa  

 Jonathan Pantalis, founder of Phi Kind, always had a passion for food and philanthropy.  He spent many years fighting to overcome depression and fatigue.  He realized that the root of his deteriorating health was the over processed and over-sugared foods he loved so much.  At that point he decided to change his business plan of creating pies to one of creating pure unadulterated chocolate.  None of that over processed stuff!

The Ecuador #2 chocolate is made from unroasted heirloom Criollo chocolate that has been stone ground under 118 degrees.  Grinding under 118 degrees helps to keep the chocolate raw, allowing it to retain its vitamin and nutrient packed from.  This bar is loaded with deep richness! Enjoy each square slowly because they really give you a zing of energy we found.

We also love Phi Kind’s house ground cherry almond butter, which they put into their truffles. . Because they offer delicious vegan, sugar-free, gluten free and raw options for everyone to enjoy, their business is growing fast! Explore all their great offerings by ordering directly from their website phikind.com

Tierra Farms Tres Perros Dried Spicy Peppers, Santa Rosa

Wayne and Lee James started Tierra Farms in 1980 and in 2000 moved from Chalk Hill just north of Santa Rosa off Airport Blvd to the East. Here stands the original storage barn owned by Luther Burbank. The building was relocated to this spot by Tierra Farms, reinforced and made into a full time farm stand to be used for the fresh picked produce that is grown on their 17-acre property. All year round seasonal and Organic produce is grown and harvested here. They make and sell jams, seasonings, vegetables, beans, greens and peppers.

We found this great mix of Tres Perros hot chili peppers here and we could not wait to try them. We put one dried pepper in lentils, chili, vegetable soup and in a stir fry. It was always just enough spice and flavor to brighten up the dish.

Come visit Barbra, Crystal and the original garden tec, Pablo, to try some one of a kind flavors or discover something new on their website tierrafarm.com. 

Comet Corn’s Coconut Curry Popcorn, Santa Rosa

 It's not all that often that you meet people that are certain about what they're meant to do in life. Sherry and Jeff know exactly what they're meant to do and they're doing it!  Their purpose in life is to make the best popcorn possible and spread their popcorn geekness into the world.  Their love of popcorn is incredibly infectious.  We toured their popcorn making facility with Sherry and talked about life and the importance of love.  We left the facility with five bags of “samples” of different flavored popcorns and felt that we had hit the jackpot! We went through every bag, for research proposes. Maple, Bloody Mary, Hippy Dust, Salted & Coconut Curry! 

Even though they have several delicious flavors, we settled on the cocunut curry.  It's so unique and just the perfect balance of spices and crunch.  An added bonus-they use all organic corn its Vegan and GMO free!  You can order your favorite flavor at www.cometcorn.com. Enjoy!

Grindstone Bakery Sprouted Seed Bread, Rohnert Park

Mario and Darleen founded Grindstone Bakery 1999 in a small "garage" in Santa Rosa, California, their passion for chemistry, health and stone milled grains lead them to experiment with alternatives to modern wheat and they created fermentation cultures for an authentic sourdough process. 

You will not find many people who care this much about the integrity of their product on a molecular level. They have a very in-depth explanation about their processes on their website www.grindstonebakery.com (under About) that we can’t attempt to summarize without leaving out important key points to why they do what they do. All we know is that this incredibly warm and intelligent team’s cookies and bread loaves make us feel great when we eat it. If you crave healthy, vegan and super high quality bakery items, look no further. They also have some of the best gluten free products we have ever had. Explore their bounty and order online on their website.

DaVero Farms Lemon Curd, Healdsburg  

DaVero farms and winery is just one of those places that catches your eye because of its rustic beauty.  There isn't a glamorous, ultra trendy winery and tasting room. Instead, you are greeted by a beautiful landscape that is well maintained with love. Happy animals roam here with a beautiful olive orchard, citrus trees and Italian varietal vineyards. They are Fish Friendly Farming certified and Demeter certified for biodynamic farming. They know how to grow things right here!

DaVero’s lemon curd is handmade from the Meyer lemons on site and is tart and sweet at the same time! We found it incredibly yummy and we highly recommend spreading it on some toasted Grindstone Bakery bread.

Come in for a tasting and walk around their beautiful property. Or you can order online and read about their special events at www.davero.com 

Blue Feather Organics All Purpose Cleaner

We met Debbie at the Healdsburg Farmers Market last fall.  There was a very pleasant relaxing smell of lavender and tea tree oil coming from her booth.  Her table was lined with blue bottles containing her all natural mixtures of cleaning sprays and room sprays and we got to talking about Blue Feather Organics, her business.

Debbie practically grew up on the water, which is what prompted her to create a line of cleaning sprays. They are so natural, yet effective and won't harm the environment. Especially aquatic environments.

With Spring cleaning time here, we wanted to share her product with you.  Yes, it's not food, but with all the water and environmental issues going on, we thought it was important to share a cleaning product friendly to our environment. Not to mention it will make your home smell good too! Find more of her Organic products at bluefeatherorganics.com.

Spring Cleaning Scrubby Hand Knitted By Joyce Bennett, Santa Rosa 

Joyce Bennett hand knits these super useful scrubby pads in her spare time and gives them to her big wonderful family and friends. She has made hundreds of them over the years and attaches a sweet tag introducing them, which we loved. The time and attention put into these little gifts warms our hearts.

We thought this scrubbie would pair perfectly with Debbie’s Blue Feather Organic All-Purpose Cleanser for a good Spring Cleaning! If you want to order more Scrubbys, email joy@sonomacountygoods.com and we can ask if she is interested.    

Winter Box 2017

Retrograde Coffee Roasters, Sebastopol

Going back to the basics is what we love most about what Danielle and Casey are doing at Retrograde Roasters. Their focus on injecting integrity into everything they put forth makes you want to try everything on their menu. Not only do they roast exceptional coffee, but they make one of the best breakfast frittata sandwiches we have ever had.  They make their pumpkin spice, chai and hemp-coconut milk from scratch and they source Sonoma County made products when ever possible.

We were lucky to experience a coffee tasting (a cupping) hosted by Retrograde and the visiting coffee growers from El Salvador. We smelled and tasted six regions of coffee beans at three stages of brewing. Every coffee roast transformed and we gained a new respect for these special beans grown so intentionally. All the beans Retrograde roasts are imported using direct trade with coffee farmers, which you can trust the producers are getting above fair trade prices to reinvest into their own families and local economies. 

Please enjoy Retrograde’s Solstice blend this Winter with some Twin Hills Apple Bread. Don’t miss out on any new retrograde events and new releases by checking out www.retrograderoasters.com.  

Hector’s Wildflower Honey, Fulton

Hector is a third generation farmer here in Sonoma County off of River road in Fulton. His Grandfather started the farm originally, his father introduced livestock, Hector took to beekeeping and now his daughter is growing a plethora of herbs to make tea blends.

His honey is unfiltered, raw and single origin with respect to each bee box around Sonoma County. He is a true local treasure with his authentic and humble approach to harvesting home grown fruits, vegetables, chilies and honey with superior flavors. 

We are so thankful that not all of his bees perished in the fires.

You can find Hector and his family at the Santa Rosa, Healdsburg and Sebastopol farmers markets or at his farm stand on Thursdays just West off the 101 before you get to Fulton.  Enjoy!

Foggy River Farm Chili Bean Mix, Russian River Valley

Foggy River Farm grows and hand harvests each one of these heirloom beans from the Russian River Valley to bring to the local farmers market. Inside this bottle you will find Tiger’s Eye, Jacob’s Cattle and Hidatsa Red beans that are the traditionally used in chili, soups and baked bean recipes. We loved the quality flavor and texture of this chili mix. You can get creative by adding tomatoes, hot peppers and protein to your crock pot of chili beans for a dinner that will keep your family warm and cozy.

There are even cooking instructions right on the bottle. You can find more great products by Foggy River Farms at the seasonal Saturday Healdsburg farmers market and at the Sebastopol year round farmers market on Sundays too. They also have a great website to learn more at www.foggyriverfarm.org.   

Twin Hill Ranch Apple Bread, Sebastopol

Twin Hill Ranch is a community farming tradition located near Sebastopol and has been growing, packing, and shipping apples for over 60 years. It was sold about 6 years ago, but the Hurst family keeps tradition alive by continuing to make Apple cookies and this apple bread from their mother Margery’s original recipes.

Ben Hurst delivers this delicious apple bread to local marketplaces all over Sonoma County to this day. When you taste how good it is, you will know why we had to include it this in our box this Winter. We love the subtle sweet crust on the top edges. We recommend to have a slice with a fresh brewed cup of Retrograde’s hot Solstice coffee and a little quince preserve from Rainbow’s End Farms. This bread is only found in local stores so make sure to grab a loaf when you can find it.

Rainbow’s End Farm Quince Preserve, Sebastopol

Rainbow's End Farm was founded by Nan Koehler in 1977. Her 48 acre property is home to 1000 different plants, trees and herbs that coexist to be enjoyed for their medicinal, spiritual and delicious properties. Every time I stop by Nan’s booth at the Sebastopol and Occidental booth at the farmers market, I find something new. Herbal teas, produce, preserves, eggs, soaps and herb pesto blends are just a few of the great handmade items she offers. We love that in a Press Democrat article, she says, “I practice edible landscaping” when referring to her diverse farming style on her land. Nan has nurtured a legacy of information to share with the future generation of farmers here in Sonoma County.

We chose her handmade quince preserve because we felt it was a great example of a Winter condiment. It should be enjoyed with cheese, pork, toast and butter or just right from the jar. To learn more about Rainbow’s End Farms, you can visit farmtrails.org, call 874-2315 or email nan@rainbowsendfarm.org.

Edible Complexe Apricot Mahjoon, Occidental

Deborah Schatan brings to us beautiful, delicious Mahjoon.  Mahjoon is savory, yet slightly sweet and made with dried fruits, nuts, honey and spices.  We really like the versatility of it.  You can eat it with meats, on its own or perhaps as Deborah does, with cream cheese and fig crackers.  

We had never heard of Mahjoon before, but we learned from Deborah that the Berbers of Morocco have been making it for thousands of years. Usually it is infused with cannabis…but not this time.  We hope you enjoy this mysteriously aromatic delicious treat!

You can find Mahjoon and Deborah at the Healdsburg Farmers market as we did, or you can check out her website http://www.ediblecomplexe.com/ , which also lists many more food pairings for Mahjoon.

Volo Candied Orange Chocolate, Healdsburg

Jeff and Susan fell in love with chocolate when they worked as chefs at a resort near Todos Santos in Baja.  They loved the versatility of it and were amazed at how much it was used in Mexican cuisine in both sweet and savory forms.  

They decided to come back to the states to become chocolatiers and started Volo.  The name Volo Chocolate literally translates from Latin to “I want” Chocolate. Their operation truly is bean to bar. They labor over their cacao beans with love and patience. Even their label is from a photo of their unique family made quilt squares.  For the grinding process alone it takes three days!  We love the dark chocolate with candied orange. They make the candied peels themselves using the fruit from orange trees owned by local artist, Cathy Shanahan.

Don’t miss out on your chance to order more Volo chocolate at https://volochocolate.com/.

Journeyman’s Meats Finnochiona Salami, Healdsburg

A new meat shop has opened up in downtown Healdsburg, and it is a thing of beauty.  You will find Pete Seghesio, the proprietor and maker of salumi, there ready to share his passion about meat with you.   

Pete traveled to Italy where he spent time with a local family learning the art of salumi making.  He then decided to take what he learned in Italy and started Journeyman’s Meats.

We love the taste of the Finnochiona and believe that it goes so deliciously well with Valley Ford’s Estero Reserve cheese.

Visit Journeyman’s Meats tasting room in downtown Healdsburg or check out their website at https://journeymanmeat.com/.

F&B Farms Raspberry Vinegar, Healdsburg

We met Frank and Barbara at the Windsor farmers market where they had a beautiful display of raspberry red glass bottles glistening in the sun, and we immediately thought, “there must be something delicious in those bottles; and there was!”  

They have been making their raspberry vinegar for the past three years, but have been working on perfecting the recipe for much longer.  They have been farmers for the past 30 years and have been married for 40!  Congrats to them!  They were one of the first farms in Sonoma County to be classified as an organic micro farm, which means that they grow their raspberries on less than an acre in Healdsburg.  

We hope you enjoy this bright and well-balanced vinegar.  You can find Frank and Barbara at the Windsor farmers market or at fb-farms.com.

Fall Box 2017 

Rainy Day Chocolate Truffles, Windsor

Jen and Chris create award-winning chocolate at Rainy Day all year round. They are proud to be part of the American Chocolate Revolution, exposing people to the true flavors available from single-origin chocolate. Rainy Day Chocolate has integrity inside their products by using Fair, Direct and Transparent Trade, which ensures cocoa bean farmers an equitable partnership.  So far Rainy Day has brought Sonoma County cocoa from Guatemala, Madagascar and Belize!

 These decadent little truffles are made out of premium Belgian Chocolate and hand made with the addition of local ingredients into bite-sized morsels of joy. We love them and we hope you do too. You can get more Rainy Day Chocolate at rainydaychocolate.com. They even now offer their Truffle Club for month-to-month or annual subscriptions to get fresh new chocolate delivered right to your door!

Achadinha Farms Capricious Goat Cheese, Petaluma

Jim Pacheco is a third generation dairyman on both sides of his family. His family's history of dairy farming in California was established in 1955.  In order to sustain the family business, in 2000, Jim and his wife, Donna began to produce cheese. The Pacheco’s raise Nubian goats and Jersey cows, which are both similar in personality and milk quality.

“We believe in feeding our girls a more alkaline diet so that the milk they produce is more alkaline, making the cheese easier to digest and better for us.” You can really taste the love they put into their “Girls” to help them stay healthy and producing beautifully flavorful cheeses.

We have wanted to feature this Capricious Goat Cheese since we started Sonoma County Goods in 2015. It is hard to get this time of year because the goats did not produce much milk, but Donna hooked us up and we are very proud to share this special treat with you. Try this cheese shaved over the top of the Ancient Agro Pasta Ribbons in you box or with the Water Horse Plum Chutney. You can order more types of Achadinha cheese on their website achadinhacheese.com!

Ancient Aztec Pasta Ribbons, Rohnert Park

We were lucky to find this great product at the ever growing Heirloom Festival this year! After speaking with Karan, I realized that he does not only make pasta, but is very passionate about grain and how it is sourced and processed. All his grain that he uses are identity preserved grains, which are non GMO or hybridized. They are all certified Organic and grown by small family farms in California and Montana. 

The Pasta Ribbons you are about to enjoy are made from Organic Durum Iraq Stone Ground Whole Wheat Flour. Sounds hearty, but when you cook this pasta for 10 minuets in a pot of lightly salted boiling water; you will find that the texture and flavor will blow you away. It has that delicate chewiness that you crave and it can take on any sauce you put it with. We recommend lightly sautéing in butter, garlic, fresh parsley, some of your dried heirloom tomatoes chopped up from your box, and the Capricious Cheese shaved over top. Wow!

You can learn much more about grain and order wholesale at ancientagro.com.

Cookies by Carina, Santa Rosa

Just looking at these picture perfect cookies, you know they are something special. Carina makes these sweet and buttery little treats in her kitchen and we were very lucky to be able to feature her this Fall. She does not stop at just cookies, because this creative Mama also makes cupcakes, cake pops, caramel wrapped pretzels, personalized cakes and chocolate dipped strawberries to fit any occasion. She wowed us with her Fall themed cookie ideas of white pumpkins and marbled Fall colored leaves and we got to taste her sleepy clouds, stars and a dazzling hand painted unicorn cookie!  

For your next event or celebration, stun your guests with custom cookies, cakes and treats from cookiesbycarina.com.  We know we will be ordering more very soon!  

Cirque Du Ferments Kiracha Live -Cultured Hot Sauce, Windsor

I was worried that we would not be able to get these super small batch bottles of magic before our shipment date, but the team at Cirque Du Ferments made it happen! We love their raw fermented beverages, all their sauerkrauts and Kim chi, but this Kiracha jumped out at us! It contains Heirloom Chiles, Hosui Pear, garlic and pink salt fermented together into a bright concoction of spicy bliss. It gives a nice kick to anything savory without overpowering it. 

Cirque Du Ferments is really on it when it comes to great fermented products. Kevin, Tina and Michael run everything to meet their public demands and they don’t ever skimp on quality. If you see them at one of the many Sonoma County Farmer’s Markets, they can educate you on the tried and tested health benefits from incorporating raw fermented foods into your regular diet. They will also show you the many unique ingredients they use. You can find them on social media and sign up on their launching website cirqueduferments.com.   

Chalk Hill Cookery Onion Chia Flatbread, Healdsburg

Chalk Hill Cookery was founded in 2012 by Chef Matteo Silverman who is passionate about plant based cuisines.  He relocated to Sonoma County after having gone worked in several restaurants in San Francisco and New York.  He has even been a private chef to celebrities like Montel Williams and Russell Simons. Pretty cool!

You can find Chalk Hill Cookery at the Luther Burbank Center farmers market and at the Sebastopol farmers market, also you can check out his website chalkhillcookery.com

The onion chia flatbread can be used like a cracker type vessel to dip in sauces, eaten with cheese and used as a wrap.  It is a raw, vegan, and gluten free food, all the while remaining supple and flavorful, with an 'oh so good' wonderful onionness!

Plank Coffee Guatemala Huehuetenango Coffee Beans, Cloverdale

Plank Coffee opened its first location in downtown Cloverdale in May of 2012.  Their second location, a coffee roasting facility and commercial kitchen was opened in October 2016. They specialize in the highest quality food and beverages, and make most of their products from scratch using organic ingredients.  In addition to a massive selection of organic and fair-trade loose leaf teas, house-roasted coffee and 100% organic fresh juice, Plank also carries a large selection of Gluten-Free and Vegan pastries.  

The Guatemala Huehuetenango coffee is a favorite of customers and employees.  It is an Arabica bean that is processed using a washed method creating a clean drinking experience with a long finish.  It is roasted to a medium City roast creating a Sweet, dark chocolate flavor with dried cherries and butterscotch notes.  Huehuetenango is a growing region located on the western side of central Guatemala.

Mike and Marne (owners of Plank Coffee) take a lot of pride in the foods that they produce, and were kind enough to show us their roasting facility and kitchen.  Mike took the time to explain to us what they look for in coffee beans and their roasting methods.  Joy and I look forward to their future ventures, as anything that they set out to do will be well executed, artistic, and delicious!  By the way you have to try their shrubs, they are amazing!

Plank Coffee is located at 227 N Cloverdale Boulevard and is open seven days a week.

      Laura's Apple Butter, Apples from Laura's Gravenstein Orchard In Sebastopol 

We met Laura at the Luther Burbank Center Certified Farmers Market in Santa Rosa a few months back.  We had been on the look out for an apple product for the Fall shipment, and were so excited when we saw Laura's booth.  Not only does Laura make delectable apple products, she is one of the nicest people you'll meet!

Laura has been making preserves since she was a child, and it's a good thing that she hasn't stopped!  As soon as you meet Laura you immediately get a sense that she is a person passionate about what she does.  Her enthusiasm for what she makes is contagious.

Laura's apple butter is like Fall in a jar (her husband's description of the apple butter), and we have to agree.  We recommend trying a little jam on toast, as an accompaniment with cheese, or just having a big spoonful by itself.  

You can contact Laura at Laurahasapples@comcast.net or by visiting her at the Luther Burbank Farmers Market, Sebastopol Farmers Market or the Bodega Bay Farmers Market.

Reyes Farm Dried Heirloom Tomatoes,  Windsor

Juan and his brother started Reyes farms about 6 years ago.  They concentrate on producing some of the best heirloom tomatoes in the county and they also raise chickens.  

Juan and his brother grew up on a farm in Michoacan, Mexico, which is why they were inspired to start a farm here in California. They couldn't imagine living life any other way.  It was a pleasure to meet Juan's young nephew and to see that the second generation will continue to farm with such care and dedication.

These heirloom tomatoes were lovingly grown, cut, and dried to produce some very tasty treats that you can chop up to add to your pasta ribbons from your box, pizzas, or just to have as a snack.  Enjoy!

You can find their booth at the Healdsburg Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

Waterhorse Ridge Santa Rosa Plum Chutney, Cazadero

This is an extra special chutney because the Santa Rosa Plum was created right here in Sonoma County by Luther Burbank.  Unfortunately, not very many people plant these plums anymore because of more popular pest resistant varieties, but Patricia and her family at Waterhorse Ridge cherish their Santa Rosa Plum trees.  

Waterhorse Ridge farm is located in Cazadero and they specialize in making jams, chutneys, vinegars, salsa, and marmalades from what they grow on their property.  You can usually find Patricia at the Healdsburg or Bodega farmers markets and you can check them out online at waterhorseridge.com or at their Facebook page.

Summer Box 2017

Willowside Meats House Cured Salami, Santa Rosa

Willowside is the kind of place you go into because you love high quality, natural and flavorful meats and small family run businesses. They specialize in locally grown lamb, pork, beef, chicken and rabbit products. They make wonderful sausages, smoked meats and dry their own jerky. We featured Willowside’s Pork Salami because it’s handmade with a secret blend of herbs and spices. Once we tasted it, we knew we needed to share it with our subscribers. Don’t be alarmed by the little white spots, it is the edible preserving mold Penicillium, which is doing its job to keep cured meats safe for us.

You can contact them through their website willowsideinc.com, but we highly recommend that you stop into their store of wall to wall tasty meat wonders to be transported back in time to when local butcher shops thrived.  Say hi to Don at 3421 Guerneville Rd in Santa Rosa.   

Jewels of the Forest Sweet Chili Shroom Snacks, Occidental

Hunter, Wyatt and Darren are three friends who are taking the snack market by storm. They have created a snack that is gluten free, vegan, all natural ingredients and still delicious for everyone! They start by taking dried oyster mushrooms, add their delicious seasonings and sauce to them and then re-dehydrating them to give them that great chewy jerky texture. Try their sesame flavor and look out for yellow curry coming soon. Order online at shroomjerky.com. 

These guys are very active in the community and they know a lot about Fungi. They don’t only make snacks; they also run a mycological laboratory, are educators & consultants and they run a 15-acre family farm in Occidental. They are always working towards helping to save the world by reducing waste and repurposing spent materials. Learn more at mycolabsolutions.com .

Eyrie Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Santa Rosa

In 2015 Suzanne and her husband became the new owners of what was previously known as Terra Bella Vista Olive Ranch. All of the olives they use to make their buttery EVOO are estate grown in their Sonoma County orchard and they mill their olives within 12 hours of harvest by cold extraction at Olive Leaf Hills mill in Sebastopol.

Suzanne’s Tuscan varieties of olive trees have already won her gold and a silver medal in COOC and California State competitions. They are also in the process of becoming certified Organic. You can see Suzanne’s awards, oil analysis charts and purchasing locations at www.eyrieoliveoil.com, but you can meet her at the Luther Burbank Center Farmers Market in Santa Rosa on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Inner Sunrise Lemon Ginger Tango Iced Tea, Santa Rosa

Cheryl handcrafts all her Inner Sunrise products with the best quality herbs and ingredients. Everything she makes, weather it be body products or teas, have aromas that are superior and intoxicating. We recommend following the directions on the box for steep times, pour it over ice and slice some fresh lemon rings to drop into your glass.

You can find Cheryl at the Saturday Farmers Market at the Luther Burbank Center or visit her great website innersunrise.com to get a glimpse of her relaxation product line and her upcoming tea flavors.

#Saucin BBQ Sauce, Healdsburg

Now here is a traditional sauce that has the smoky hickory thickness you crave when you think BBQ! We love this sauce on grilled chicken because it adds tons of flavor and keeps it moist while cooking. Make sure to eat your BBQ chicken with Big Bottom Market's Biscuits from your box! The two together really make your tastes buds dance.

Family owned and operated in Healdsburg, #Saucin is soon coming out with spicy and teriyaki flavors! Shop online, read their blog or learn more about them at saucinsauces.com.

 Kettle and Fog Gourmet Kettle Corn, Windsor

A few months ago we visited the West End Farmers Market in Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa and had the opportunity to come across Kettle and Fog's booth.  First it was the sweet smell of freshly popped corn that got our attention and as we figured out where the smell was coming from we made a beeline towards their booth.  We were greeted by smiling faces and the sight of a batch of freshly popped kettle corn.  We had to buy a bag!  This was how our relationship with Kettle and Fog began. We feel that there isn't a snack that screams Summer more than kettle corn. Pop open the bag, relax, enjoy and we promise you won't be able to stop at just a handful!

The Hamburger Ranch & BBQ Carolina Style BBQ Sauce, Cloverdale

The world famous Hamburger Ranch is an iconic restaurant in Cloverdale located at the north end of town. They have “world famous-proof” written on the walls and they have hundreds of postcards from all over the world from travelers that have visited the restaurant. Locals and travelers flock there for the amazing BBQ cooked up year round by Bob and Joanne Krucker.  One of my favorite things about this restaurant is the cowboy burger with a lasso that serves as their restaurant sign. I remember as a child always giggling whenever I went there with my parents.

More importantly though is that The Hamburger Ranch makes this amazing Carolina Style BBQ sauce!  It is so good it has won gold medals at the Sonoma County fair.  It is so versatile that you can use it as a mustard-like spread on sandwiches, drizzle some over veggies or use it to dip your sausages in! It is so good!  

Kozlowski Farms Chipotle Jam, Forestville

Kozlowski Farm has been a Sonoma County treasure since 1949 when Tony and Carmen Kozlowski bought their first apple farm.  Two years later they bought the adjacent property and that became the farm.  The Kozlowski family has been making jams since the beginning.  First they started out by making jam from the raspberries that they planted between the apple trees and when those turned out to be successful they ventured on to other flavors.  Kozlowski farms achieved national acclaim in 1984 when Mammy Carmen was asked to make raspberry bread with Julia Child on Good Morning America.  In 1997 Mammy Carmen received the Sonoma County Lifetime Achievement Award in Agriculture. You can visit their amazing tasting room or go online at kozlowskifarms.com to order more goodies.

We selected the chipotle jam for its spicy smoky flavors that is a great glaze for your BBQ pork or chicken. Our favorite combination; cream cheese, this smoky chipotle jam and crackers. Enjoy!

 Big Bottom Market Biscuit Mix, Guerneville

While buying a cappuccino at the market we came across this product. It was so unique, we felt like we came across a secret treasure. Well, little did we know that Oprah, that's right OPRAH, had written an article about these biscuits months before.  I think that tells you the caliber of biscuits these will turn out to be! They are moist, fluffy, scrumptious and fun to make!  All you have to do is add water, shortening and a little love and you'll end up with the tastiest biscuits.

Big Bottom Market is owned by Michael Volpatt, Kate Larkin, and Crista Luedtke. It's Luedtke's Grandmother Steiner's recipe. So thank you to Grandma Steiner and Crista for this tasty biscuit mix. bigbottommarket.com

Lala's Urban Farm stand Apricot Jam, Petaluma

Leslie aka Lala is one amazing woman and her jams are proof! Lala, originally from Scotland, starting making jams as a child with her grandma and it has been a passion of hers ever since. She had a successful career as a realtor, retired and then has started up a second career as a jam maestro!

Many of Lala's jams are made from fruit that she buys from her neighbor's or picks from a friend's fruit trees.  She only uses the highest quality of fruits, which really shine through in the jams. They are colorful, full of flavor and have no added preservatives.  We thought that her Apricot jam was perfect for the summer. You can enjoy it on some toast, use it as a marinade or add a little to vanilla ice cream and enjoy it as dessert. You can do what we did; grab a spoon and go at it! Find out more about the jam tasting room she is building in downtown Petaluma at lalasjams.com.

Spring Box 2017

Beet Generation Too Sexy Tomato Pasta, Sebastopol

Beet Generation is owned by Ali and Libby; with Libby operating the farm and Ali helping out on the weekends when she is not saving lives in San Francisco as a paramedic.  Their life purpose is personal health and joy. They make their own organic pasta in their kitchen every week.  Ali and Libby choose to air dry their pasta so that it retains as much of the yummy flavor as possible.  They choose the pasta shapes not only for their beauty, but also because these shapes are good for holding on to sauces.  The Too Sexy Tomato pasta is slightly tangy and sweet.  Be sure to pair with spicy seafood, tomatoes, fresh basil, zucchini, cheese, and eggplant.

  A fun fact: Each noodle contains 25% organic veggies grown on their farm. You can find them at the Luther Burbank Center Farmers Market in Santa Rosa or at their beetgenerationfarm.com website to learn about their new pasta subscriptions.

               Berkman’s Spices’ Mediterranean Blend, Santa Rosa

                   Phil and Heidi Schneider opened their spice business in 2014. Being in the restaurant industry, Phil found his love of all things food early on. He worked from a bus boy all the way up to management and on to IT information systems for high-end restaurants.  Seeking a change, the Schneider’s entered their homemade spice recipes into the Sonoma County Harvest Fair just before opening their new spice business. Winning two double gold, a gold and a silver medal right off the bat was a sign that they were doing the right thing!

Now they have a large selection of diverse spice blends.

                   We fell in love with their Mediterranean Blend because it has all the flavors of fresh herbs with a soft kick of chili balanced with sea salt. It pairs very well with Beet Generation’s Tomato Pasta, your favorite vegetables or proteins. Visit them at the local farmers markets or browse their online store at www.berkmansspices.com to try all of their unique and high quality spice blends. 

      The North Bay Bohemian

                  This lively paper covers Sonoma and Marin County’s music, food and art scenes. If you want to go out, make sure to pick one up for free in local newsstands or go online for a list of all the upcoming events to check out in the North Bay. Our favorite section is the “Best of the North Bay” because it provides exposure to local businesses that are creating great products and services in our community. Bohemian.com

            Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery’s Estero Gold, Valley Ford

                  Taking a bite of this straw colored, semi-hard cheese will leave your taste buds stunned.  It is nutty, buttery, grassy and complex-absolutely delicious!  Karen Bianchi-Moreda has been making cheese since 2008, but the Bianchi family has owned and operated the 640 acre ranch since 1918! In 2008 Karen decided to step away from handling the finances of the farm to follow her passion of making cheese.  Karen began her cheese making venture by trying to replicate the cheese she so fondly remembered her grandparents making.  After trying for months to get the recipe perfect, Karen finally hit the jackpot with Estero Gold.

                  This cheese has won Double Gold medals at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and has gained so much popularity that it can be found in restaurants and some grocery stores throughout the state.  Be sure stop by the farmers markets in Healdsburg, Occidental or Windsor to say hi to Karen and taste her amazing cheeses. You can also find them at valleyfordcheeseco.com. 

Helpful hint: Be sure to sprinkle some of the Estero Gold over Beet Generation Farm’s pasta… YUM!

            Costeaux French Bakery’s Garlic & Rosemary Crostini, Healdsburg

                   Costeaux French Bakery has been family owned and operated since 1923.  Now, for a little Sonoma County bread history; in 1923, Costeaux started out as the French American Bakery. During 1930-1971 the bakery went through several different owners and names until 1972 when Jean and Anne Costeaux from Reims, France bought it.  Then in 1981 the Costeauxs sold the bakery to Karl and Nancy Seppi. 

                  Costeaux French Bakery’s downtown Healdsburg site is not only a bakery, but also a café.  We highly recommend having a meal there the next time you find yourself in Healdsburg and make sure to enjoy some of their special pastry treats.  The garlic and rosemary crostini that we have included in this shipment, pair well with the spicy olive tapenade from McEvoy Ranch or any of your other favorite dips.  We hope that you will enjoy these tasty little crunchy morsels as much as we do!

You can find more information on the bakery, their products and bread making tips at costeaux.com.

   Picazo Café’s Chimichurri Dressing, Sonoma

This is a dressing we are excited to be able to feature.  Not only is it tasty, but it’s also made by some of our favorite people!  Sal Chavez and Aiki Terashima own Picazo Café and have created a go-to spot for Sonoma locals to enjoy delicious breakfasts and lunches. This past year they have also opened The Reel, a restaurant focusing on seafood, and they have taken the food truck scene by storm as well.  We chose the chimichurri dressing because it is bright (typically made with a mix of parsley, cilantro & oregano), flavorful and a topping that you can enjoy on both veggies and protein.  We even think that this could be a perfect dipping sauce for Costeaux’s Crostini.

The next time you are in Sonoma make sure to stop by Picazo’s Café, The Reel or perhaps ask any Sonoman where the Picazo Food Truck will be appearing for the day. You can also check them out at picazocafe.com.

      The Girl & The Fig, Fig Caramel, Sonoma

                    The Girl & The Fig was founded by Sondra Bernstein (owner) and John Toulze (managing partner and executive chef). Their dedication to cooking with seasonal products, which are mostly grown on their estates, is one of the many reasons why we choose to include these wonderful products in our shipments.  Not only do Sondra and John manage the restaurant, the café and the catering truck, but they also produce the Fig Food product line. 

                    While trying all the tasty offerings at The Girl & The Fig in Sonoma Valley, we found this amazing caramel. Right away I thought of dipping green apple slices into it or putting it on vanilla ice cream. The little bits of fig give it a nice textural component too. All of their products are made from sustainably grown foods and can now be found in some stores across the nation or through their online store www.thegirlandthefig.com.

          Chili Gods Green Pepper Sauce, Healdsburg

                  It being vegan, gluten free and non-GMO makes this versatile hot sauce easy to enjoy for everyone. Also, it goes perfectly with almost anything savory you can think of! We loved the verde flavors of green jalapeños and tomatillos for this Spring. Chili Gods is the proclaimed International Ambassador of all things hot and spicy.  Frank Yates, the creator of Chili Gods, has a great passion for flavor and profiling savory, sweet and tang in his creations. He also produces the Burning Mouth Festival. Chili Gods is rapidly rising in popularity and now you can find their hot sauces online, in stores or on local restaurant tables. Find all of their flavors at chiligods.com   

             Mama De Laura’s Dehydrated Kale Rock’in Savory Blend, Sebastopol

             We found these gems at Hardcore Coffee shop when Russell (Joy’s Boyfriend) insisted we scout them out. After meeting with Sharon, the creator, we knew we found something special. Sharon started making these in her kitchen with her grandchildren as her helpers. These snacks are so mouthwatering and delicious that even babies will eat their kale.               

 Sharon’s kale strips have a great texture unlike any other kale snack because Sharon only uses Dino Kale. The bumps and ridges make for the perfect crunch. The creaminess of macadamia nuts, fresh thyme, zesty lemon, red pepper and nutritional yeast harmonize together making it impossible to eat just one. She makes a Cacao Kale Chip and soon a spicy one too. We are sure she will become a local favorite!  

   McEvoy Ranch Spicy Olive Tapenade, Petaluma

                  Inspired by her love of Tuscan olive oil, Nan sought out Dr. Maurizio Castelli, a leading authority on agriculture, to recommend the best olive varieties to grow in our area. Fast-forward twenty years and McEvoy Ranch has become a trail blazers in certified organic, extra virgin olive oil for Sonoma County. Dip and spread your way to flavor with this blend of finely chopped olives and aromatic herbs, both grown on McEvoy’s 550 acre ranch. We picked this product because it represents true fresh olive flavors and pairs so nicely with Coustaux’s Garlic Rosemary Crostini. We also like that it has a little spice to it. Look at all McEvoy’s food, body and home collections at mcevoyranch.com.

Winter Box 2016

Bustelo’s Very Hot Pepper Sauce Aged in Oak, Occidental

        It was in Cholula, Mexico, while attending The University of the America's Latin American Program, that Larry Watson began his life long fascination with chilies. He learned the ancient art of smoking and blending from the local town "Chilero". Being inspired by Sonoma County’s wine making, he tried aging his sauces in used oak wine barrels. The oak gave the sauce depth just like it gives depth to wine or whiskey. In1985 with his friends, Mike Sanders and Gabe Krause, Larry developed Bustelo’s Hot Sauce at Gerard Nebesky's legendary Bohemian Café (The Inn Of The Beginning).

     Sonoma County all most lost this product after Larry passed away in 2007.  After a few years there was such a demand for the local kitchen staple that his family started up production again and now we can all enjoy Larry’s unrivaled creation. Only sold in a few local stores. To find out where call: (707) 874-1663

     little apple TREATS Apple Cider Caramels with toasted almonds, Sebastopol

       In 1999,  Joanne and Dan went from running a native flower nursery in Berkeley to becoming apple farmers in Sebastopol. Starting with apple cider vinegar they made with an old wooden press, they started expanding their ideas on what else they could make with the apples on their property. 

        The Family now makes granola, cookies and amazing caramels. What sets these caramels apart is the toasted almonds, a sprinkling of dried Pink Pearl apples and vanilla sea salt. It takes three apples to make each rich piece of their mouth-watering caramels.

     They buy all of their ingredients from local farmers and co-ops to support local agriculture. Find more little apple products and information on their beautiful website, www.littleappletreats.com

                  Healdsburg Toffee Co. Candied Cayenne Pecans, Healdsburg

      Healdsburg Toffee Co. was established in 2006 when their confectionary recipes became a hit with the public. They only use the highest quality ingredients, make only small batches and they claim to make the best chocolate you have ever tasted. These handmade candied pecans are coated with a sugar glaze with a little sprinkle of cayenne pepper then drizzled with Guittard Old Dutch Milk Chocolate. We love them and we hope you do too!

     You can see more Healdsburg Toffee Co. products and buy everything on their online store. www.healdsburgtoffee.com

   Nana Mae’s Organic Heirloom Apple Juice, Sebastopol 

        In addition to tending 400+ acres of apple trees, Nana Mae’s Founders Paul and Kendra Kolling also plant more than 1,000 redwood seedlings in Sonoma County each year! A part of Paul’s farming philosophy is, “you plant a tree as a way to service the future for your family and community.” From their 25+ heirloom varieties of apples, Nana Mae’s makes pressed apple juice, Blackberry and Honey Apple Sauces, Bartlett Pear Juice and even a refreshing Meyer Lemon Cooler.    

    Pair this award winning apple juice with the Organic Mulling Spice inside this box. Soak the linen bag of Mulling spice in a below boiling pot of Nana Mae’s Apple Juice for 10 minuets to brew the best apple cider you have ever had. www.nanamae.com

         Rosmary’s Garden Organic Blended Mulling Spice, Sebastopol

             Rosemary’s Garden is one of our favorite spots in Sonoma County.  It is an apothecary shop that has been helping the community with its herbal remedies, essential oils, spices, body products, and handcrafted teas since 1972!  Rosemary’s Garden was first founded by Rosemary Gladstar and is now owned by Lena Moffat.  On one of our latest trips to the apothecary we picked up some beautiful mulling spices, just in time for the holiday season!  

             There are a number of ways that you can use this spice. You can soak this linen pouch directly into 1-2 quarts of red wine or organic apple juice on just below boiling heat for 10 minuets or to desired strength. We do suggest preparing your mulling spice concoction right before your guests are due- they will enter a room perfumed with the smell of the spices!  The next time you are in Sebastopol, stop by Rosemary’s Garden and see for yourself all of their wonderful products. If you have any questions, their staff are trained herbalists and are super helpful and friendly. www.rosemarysgarden.com We hope you enjoy!

   Kettel Krakkers Organic Rosemary Crackers, Fulton

   Inspired by a Danish recipe, Kettel Krakkers are handmade at a dedicated gluten-free facility using Organic and locally-sourced ingredients of the highest quality. They only use suppliers that are Bay Area family-operated companies. These krakkers are uniquely flavorful, vegan, seed-rich treats and are so delicious that even wheat-eaters will love them! “The gluten’s missing but it won’t be missed,” says founder Susan Gabiati.

      We have been searching high and low for Sonoma County crackers and we finally found fabulous ones that everyone can enjoy. Rosemary was a favorite flavor because of the nutty and savory lingering taste that keeps us going back for more! We recommend pairing them with hummus, salami or your favorite triple cream brie or dry jack cheese! Check out their other great flavors online at www.kettelkrakkers.com

   Bud’s Custom Meats Cowboy Candy, Penngrove

      In1975 Bud Gamba had saved enough money to purchase his first ranch, and he turned his side job as a custom butcher into an established business, Bud’s Custom Meats. His business grew by word of mouth from the locals and Bud kept himself very busy doing custom cutting and processing of local livestock. In 1997 Matt Gamba, Bud’s son took over the business and he started expanding the retail counter to incorporate more of the products his customers were asking for such as a larger selection of choice to prime cuts, 100% grass-fed beef and lamb.

      Sonoma County family raised Beef comes from some of happiest and well-treated animals it the country. Penngrove is a small town holding generations of open range cattle farmers.  This tasty beef jerky has no MSG, no nitrates and holds a nice balance of sweet and spicy. Bud’s Custom Meat’s store is located right on Petaluma Hill Road. They hand make sausage, rubs, marinades and they cook delicious BBQ to take home. 

 www.budscustommeat.com

          The Sonoma County Gazette by Editor Vesta Copestakes,  Forestville

      The Gazette contains 100% Sonoma County local news and its own readers write it. If you want to know anything that is happening in the county, you can find it in this FREE paper that is locally owned and printed. The editor Vesta has no staff and creates her monthly paper in her home with her own computer. It has resource guides, the events calendar and the gazette promotes local businesses and keeps the community connected. We are so lucky to have this vital resource of solid information in our area. Give it a read over a nice cup of apple cider and you can learn more at www.sonomacountygazette.com    

             New Family Farm Heirloom Rainbow Polenta, Sebastopol

      Curl up with a sweet or savory bowl of creamy polenta this winter. We were surprised how creamy this polenta is even without butter or cream added. We just cooked 1 cup of polenta to 3 cups of simmering water and stirred it constantly until it was thick. Top it with anything!  You can add fresh pesto, roasted tomatoes, a favorite protein, eggs, brown sugar and butter or wilted greens and cheese. You can even take the leftovers, refrigerate in a shallow pan and refry them as square pancakes in the morning. 

     New Family Farm is a certified organic farm in Sebastopol.  On their farm, they use both summer and winter cover crops, crop rotation and dry-farm techniques to minimize water use and maximize flavor. The innovative use of old-world farming techniques in our local agriculture is what makes Sonoma County produce so special and delicious.  

www.thenewfamilyfarm.com

   Vella Cheese Co. Coco Pepper Dry Jack Cheese, Sonoma

            This is our first cheese we have ever shipped and we wanted it to be special. You may think a coco & pepper coated Dry Jack cheese sounds crazy, and it is. That’s why it is so wonderful. We loved the layers of flavor this 7 month aged cow cheese offers. The unsweetened coco powder and the pepper gives you a bitter and bright zing to your taste buds, while the salty creamy body of the cheese smooths over your palate. Enjoy it with fruit, chutney, olives or your favorite salami.

             The Vella Family has been making award winning and all-natural cheeses since 1931. Vella Cheese Co. has a rich history that you can read all about or even visit if you go to their great website www.vellacheese.com

Featured Artist

      Merisha Sequoia Clark (Bee Print), Santa Rosa

       We love all of Merisha’s watercolor prints. She studied at Savannah College of Art and Design and now is a freelance illustrator and gallery co-owner. Raised in Sonoma County, she brings her own authentic style to our local landscape with her vibrant art.  We chose to feature her bee print card because of our increased concern we have for our bee populations. Without bees, we would have a severe imbalance in our agricultural products world-wide.  Visit her page to see more of her art on Facebook @thebelugaandbeestudio

Fall Box 2016

Sunshine Organic Coffee Roasters Italiano, Sebastopol

          One of our favorite stops on our way into town is Sunshine Roasters Organic Coffee Shop off Hwy 116 in Sebastopol. Not only do the Baristas know the importance of good microfoam, the coffee they use is locally roasted just down the road in Forestville. Tyler Ericksen has been the Roastmaster for Sunshine since 2008. He uses an “Old World” method, which slowly roasts organic green coffee beans to yield the optimal flavor.

          Sunshine realizes that having a good cup of coffee is a ritual for their customers, so they base their business on consistency, reliability and creating a sense of community.

           We love Sunshine’s Italiano roast, especially in the Fall, because of its bold flavor and smooth finish. Stop by and taste test all 5 origins to find your favorite at both the Sebastopol and Forestville locations. You can also order more on their website sunshinecoffeeroasters.com.

O Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Petaluma

            Greg Hinson co-founded O Olive Oil & Vinegar in 1995.  He wanted to combine his passions for citrus fruits and olives and invent a new kind of olive oil where it was neither infused nor flavored after pressing, but instead having the fruits crushed together.  Mr. Hinson also decided that he wanted to make his vinegars a la Orleans Method of aging in wood barrels rather than force aging the vinegars mechanically.

           Not only is O Olive Oil & Vinegar a local company, but they are renowned for their superb quality oils and vinegars, which is why we are excited to include them in this fall shipment.

            O Extra Virgin Olive Oil is cold pressed and unfiltered retaining all of its healthy and yummy qualities.  This oil is made from Mission, Ascolano, and Arbequina varietals all organically grown on family farms and harvested with love and care.  Enjoy this buttery and fruity olive oil with your favorite foods! www.ooliveoil.com

                          Firefly Spicy Chai Bean to Bar Chocolate, Windsor  

             Jonas, the chocolatier and owner of Firefly, first learned about the traditional way of making cacao by a woman named Maria in Oaxaca, Mexico during his travels. After a lot of experimentation in his home kitchen, he found his ‘sweet spot’ with Direct Trade beans form Belize. Inspired by the raw foods movement, he tries to use the lowest possible temperatures to help preserve the integrity of the health benefits from the bean. Instead of using processed cane sugar in his bars, he prefers to use coconut palm sugar as his sweetener so you don’t feel a sugar high, but pure cacao elation! 

           As of 2015 he has built his commercial kitchen in Windsor by crowd funding and support from his community so he can share his beautiful chocolate with the public. To try Jonas’s hand crafted chocolate, you can spot him at the Sebastopol Farmers Market on Sundays or you can order it directly off his website www.fireflychocolate.com. He is also offering a chocolate subscription so you can be the first to taste his new creations throughout the year. 

              Not Yer Momma’s Blueberry Ginger Granola, Sebastopol

              Not Yer Momma’s Granola is a favorite for us.  The company was created by three moms who baked home-made granola while raising their children to avoid buying processed snacks. Now that their kids are grown, they decided to make a lot more special granola to provide a healthy snack to every one in Sonoma County and beyond!  Not Yer Momma’s is deliciously sweetened only with honey.  Their granolas are made up of all organic oats, fruits, and nuts with no added wheat, processed sugar, salt or fillers. If you like this batch of Blueberry Ginger, you have to try their Apple Cinnamon or the Cardamom Apricot. 

           Spot the three best friends (founders of Not Yer Momma’s Granola) at Sonoma County and Napa County farmers markets or in local grocery stores.  You can also order more online at www.notyermommas.com.

     Savor All-Purpose Seasoning, Healdsburg

           SAVOR is the kitchen-child of Janis and Larry Frey. Larry became a certified barbecue judge (he’s more proud of his BBS—Bachelor of BBQ Science–title than he is his college degree). Between the two of them, Janis and Larry did a lot of grilling… which meant a lot of seasoning. So they created, tweaked and perfected a seasoning mix that they could use on anything. When they moved to Healdsburg in 2004, they decided to bottle their creation to share with everyone. Now the Frey’s say, “wherever you use salt, SAVOR makes it better.

          We tried it on chicken and sprinkled it on garlic bread. It has a secret ingredient (not MSG) that really brings out the best flavors in whatever you’re cooking.  If you love this one, they have more great products at www.savorproducts.com to try.

      The Girl & The Fig Port and Fig Vinaigrette, Sonoma

          The Girl and The Fig is one of the top restaurants in Sonoma Valley, founded by Sondra Bernstein (owner) and John Toulze (managing partner and executive chef).  They describe it as country food with a French twist and might I add it is mighty tasty!  Their dedication to cooking with seasonal products, which are mostly grown on their estates, is one of the many reasons why we chose to include The Girl and The Fig products in our shipments.  Not only do Sondra and John manage the restaurant, the café, and catering truck, but they also produce the Fig Food product line.  Sondra always wanted her diners to remember their experience at The Girl and The Fig well after their visit and the Fig Food product line is a great way to make this happen.  All of the products are made from sustainably grown foods and can now be found in some stores across the nation or through their online store www.thegirlandthefig.com.

          We love this vinaigrette! It’s rich, yet it has bright acidity. It’s flavorful, yet still light and fun!  Use it on your favorite greens, veggies or fruits or be daring and use it in a sauce, and as the The Girl and The Fig team say, “Get figgy with it!”

         Barb’s Best Coffee Blondies, Sebastopol

             Home Kitchens like Barb’s Best Baked Goods are the main inspiration for starting Sonoma County Goods. Cottage industry food prepared and sold locally is not only good for the producer, but the customer gets a one of a kind product to enjoy.  These Blondies are like biting into a Grandmother’s secret recipe. You get the cookie crumble, moist inside, pecans and rich chocolate chunks.

               I had my first one with a latté and it was a great way to start my morning. I haven’t seen these Coffee Blondies anywhere but at Sunshine roasters Coffee Shop in Sebastopol. Get them while you can!

            Sonoma Creamery Mr. Cheese O’s, Sonoma

Sonoma Creamery was founded in 1931 and has been a landmark in Sonoma ever since.  Sonoma Creamery makes Sonoma Jack (flavored Jack cheeses), Jack Nuggets, Jack Party Trays, Parmesan Crisps, Sonoma Organics (a line of organic cheeses), and Mr. Cheese O’s. This is a readily available product, but we wanted to praise the ingenuity of this local company for making two classic snacks (cheese & crackers) into one scrumptious bite! www.sonomacreamery.com

             Green String Farms Organic Almonds In The Shell, Petaluma

It’s hard to find locally grown nuts in Sonoma County, especially organic ones. While touring around Green String farms, I tasted home brined pickles, witnessed a plethora of sustainably grown fruits and veggies and I got to crack open these creamy almonds. If you haven’t been to Green String farms in Petaluma, you must go… We can’t even tell you about all the innovative and regenerative farming techniques they are using to cultivate the highest quality food! Schedule your own farm tour ASAP at www.greenstringfarm.com.  Until then, please enjoy cracking these almonds.

               Summer Box 2016

The Salami Store’s Ghost Pepper Salami by Zoe’s Meats, Sebastopol

 Years ago on a volleyball court, two friends with a passion for food dreamed of creating a company, which would provide superior quality cured-meat products to the community. In February of 2007, George Gavros and Charlie Hertz realized their dream by launching Zoe's Meats.  Zoe’s puts an emphasis on environmental awareness when selecting all of their meats.  The company’s name comes from Gorge’s eight-year-old daughter, Zoe.

Don’t be afraid of the Ghost Pepper in this salami. We were blown away when we tasted a mellow, warm and almost sweet heat coming from this delicious uncured salami. Instead of wine, Zoe’s added tequila and it is infused with cilantro for a fresh bright flavor. 

To learn more about Zoe’s or to order wholesale, find them at zoesmeats.com or call them at 707.545.ZOES

Gipson’s Golden Honey Toffee Almond Corn by I dream of Toffee, Sonoma

This mixture of almonds and GMO- free popcorn is covered in a buttery toffee made with Gipson's Wildflower honey. Aimée, a native of Sonoma County and the creator of I dream of Toffee, learned from her Mother how to make traditional toffee. She originally made toffee as gifts for her family and friends until it was suggested that she should sell it.

We selected this item for our Summer Box because it is not only delicious, but it reminds us of the summer fair. It is like a light version of caramel corn with whole almonds, and once you open the bag, it will be hard to close it again.

Try the Siracha-Toffee flavor or many other Gipson’s Golden Honey products by ordering on their website:  gipsonsgolden.com

Sonomic Red (Almost Vinegar) by Sonoma Portworks, Petaluma

 When we found this unique product made by Sonoma Portworks, we were struck by its versatility. We all love balsamic reduction on our steaks, salads and cheese, but Sonomic is less acidic than vinegar and richer than balsamic. It’s the secret ingredient that will revolutionize everything from your fruits and veggies to your desserts and drinks.

 Open it right away to start finding new things to put this on. Their website recommends to put a bit into club soda for a cordial effect. Our favorite is when used on a charcuterie platter with our featured ghost pepper salami and a burrata or fresh mozzarella cheese. Sweet, tart, rich, refreshing, simple, and elegant all at once. Made with Muscat and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, it’s like nothing you’ve tasted before.

 Find Sonoma Portwork’s tasting room in Petaluma and have a fantastic port tasting. There you can try Sonomic White, fig port and an elegant Petite Sirah Port. portworks.com

Sonoma Harvest Roasted Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sonoma

Garlic is a key ingredient in almost all types of cooking. We tried this roasted garlic olive oil from Sonoma Harvest in our test kitchen and we found that it’s the perfect oil to use with just about everything. Veggie stir-fry, oven baked chicken and even in the pan with your morning eggs with some arugula is a real treat. We also like to drizzle it over tomato and mozzarella slices with the Sonomic Vinegar and chopped basil.

 Mike and Francine Brossier started Sonoma Harvest in 2009. They make some of the finest gourmet oils, vinegars, mustards, and honeys the wine country has to offer. You can find their online catalogue at sonomaharvestfoods.com to find more great products.

Gold Coast Coffee Cyclops Medium Roast, Duncan’s Mills

In our house, we always keep a bag or two of Gold Coast Coffee. It is a local favorite because every roast has it’s own bold and smooth flavor. As soon as you open your Summer Box you will smell its fresh roasted intoxicating aroma. Pat & Ari roast a variety of high quality beans on the main floor in their Duncans Mills Café. They also have a real brick oven, which produces the best pastries, galettes and Pizza! 

If you want to try more of their coffee or taste their decadent pastries, check out their Café, Bakery and beautiful back patio at Moscow Rd and Highway 116 in Duncans Mills. Or call 707-865-1441

Tea and Trumpets Organic Mint Citrus Ice Tea, Santa Rosa

We were looking for a refreshing summer beverage to pair with all the good food we found for this collection and we thought; what about a refreshing iced tea? We found out about Tea and Trumpets, which is a very small tea purveyor out of Santa Rosa. They make Mint Citrus tea that tastes fantastic and is refreshing iced on a hot day.

Mark the creator use to work in the pharmaceutical industry. He wanted to change his career by creating organic teas, which are beneficial to ones health and mood. At the young age of six he used to mispronounce ‘tea and crumpets’ as ‘tea and trumpets,’ and the name stuck when naming his new venture. Mark sells all his teas online at tea-and-trumpets.com.

Organic Heirloom Chimayo Chilies by New Family Farm, Sebastopol

Everything New Family Farm grows is special. We have tried their Rainbow Polenta, Quinoa and many of their fresh veggies from their stand at the Sebastopol Farmers Market. I put three of these spicy little chilies in a whole chicken crock pot and chopped up in a marinade for tri-tip steak and they added the perfect amount of heat. Rehydrate them in a soup or put one in your simmering pasta sauce for a welcomed kick to you palate.

New Family Farm is located at 669 Ferguson Road in Sebastopol, but their farm stand in Sebastopol on Sundays or Occidental on Fridays is your best chance to get some more of their goodies. 

F.A Nino’s Bourbon, Sage & Tarragon BBQ Sauce, Petaluma

F.A. Nino’s Artisan Products is a small award winning, family owned and operated producer of hot sauces, BBQ sauces and rubs. We chose this sauce because of the savory and herbaceous flavor with the little kick of bourbon. We tried it on sausages, steak, chicken, and grilled veggies and it was a hit at the table. 

F.A Nino’s is the only artisan hot sauce manufacturer with a boutique tasting room in Sonoma County! Visit one of their open house events or schedule a private tasting by calling 707-338-1772. Learn more about their line of fabulous products at Faninos.com

Emmy’s Organic Bread and Butter Pickle Chips, Santa Rosa

Pickles are great for picnics, cookouts and appetizers. We wanted to find a high quality bread and butter pickle to add to our summer box and our favorite was Emmys. These little pickle chips originated from San Francisco in 2010. They are now made and distributed out of Santa Rosa, here in Sonoma County. Emmy’s offers artisan-pickled vegetables and preserved fruits. They source their produce exclusively from local, organic farms. They are still small batch producers and strive to use only seasonal fruits and vegetables.

You can find Emmy’s at Andy’s Market off 116 in Sebastopol, but you can also purchase additional products on their online store at emmyspicklesandjams.com. Try their Pickled Turmeric and Cauliflower or their bright Apricot Fruit Spread. 

Let Firefly Chocolate Light You Up

    Do you want to experience cacao and feel intoxicated by its flavor and fragrance? Then you need to try some handmade Firefly chocolate. I was very lucky to be exposed to real cacao and see its bean-to-bar transformation at Firefly Chocolate in Windsor, thanks to Jonas Ketterle and his passion to share quality chocolate. I was able to taste a roasted cacao bean right from the oven, see how the nib grinder works and taste the tempering chocolate before it was poured into the molds to make bars. 

    Jonas learned first about the traditional way of making cacao by a woman named Maria in Oaxaca, Mexico during his travels. When he returned home to the US, he used his engineering background to build a home kitchen scale chocolate factory. He then educated himself by experimenting with many types of beans, temperatures and textures. After all his tests he found his ‘sweet spot’ with Direct Trade beans form Belize. Inspired by the raw foods movement, he tries to use the lowest possible temperatures to help preserve the integrity of the health benefits from the bean.  

Instead of using processed cane sugar in his bars, he prefers to use coconut palm sugar as his sweetener so you don’t feel a sugar high, but pure cacao elation! 

    As of 2015 he has built his commercial kitchen in Windsor by crowd funding and support from his community so he can share his beautiful chocolate with the public. To try Jonas’s hand crafted chocolate, you can spot him at the Sebastopol Farmers Market on Sundays or you can order it directly off his website (www.fireflychocolate.com). He is also offering a chocolate subscription so you can be the first to taste his new creations throughout the year.