Let's see what this month's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile subscription box brings us!
Landcrafted Food - Beef Sticks - Landcrafted Food is committed to sustainable agriculture in all they do. They raise their cattle in open pastures in the mountains near Lexington, VA, where they are grass fed. These beef sticks are naturally made. Three varieties: Original Smoked, Sweet Smoked, and Spicy Cajun. A delicious, high protein snack!
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works - Spice Blends - Our Salt-Works Spice Blends are the ideal kitchen helper and dish perfecter, created from our deep love of cooking. Available in 5 flavors Ramped Up Ranch, Appalachian Za'atar, Allegheny Herb & Citrus, Smoky Mountain Rub, Blue Ridge Bagel.
Woodberry Pantry - Snake Oil Hot Sauce - Once you taste this hot sauce, made by Woodberry Pantry in Baltimore, it will become the only hot sauce you will use. Made from heirloom fish peppers, cider vinegar and JQD salt, it has the perfect heat level and rich flavor to compliment and enhance almost any dish.
The High Fiber - Dish Towel - Absorbent, soft, and lint free, these flour sack towels will quickly become your favorites in the kitchen. Handprinted on natural cotton, each is a hard working, super soft, and ultra thirsty kitchen companion. Each towel is printed by hand with my Succulent illustration using solvent free, environmentally kind inks.
Southern Spooning - Dark Chocolate Sauce - Our favorite way to eat our chocolate sauce is to take the lid off and put the jar directly into the microwave for 30 seconds then pour it over our favorite ice cream. YUM! Some other ideas… include a jar of chocolate sauce on a charcuterie board with strawberries, mini breadsticks, almonds, meat, cheeses, and more. Use it as dip for your favorite cookies. Spread it on a freshly toasted piece of sourdough bread. Or just straight up SPOON the stuff!
Allegheny Treenware - Dough Scraper - Allegheny Treenware is an American company focused on the production of wooden kitchen utensils. It has been proudly owned and operated by Stanley and Sue Jennings for over 25 years. All products are MADE IN THE USA, with quality West Virginia hardwoods that, if taken care of, will serve your cooking needs for years to come.
This month's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile subscription may be one of my favorites yet. Why? Well, I immediately started using 4 of the products as soon as I opened it. The bourbon beef jerky, pretzels and creamy mustard became my dinner, while I lit the candle for some ambiance.
Here's what we got this month:
Multi-grain pretzels: Don't settle for 1 Grain when you can have 7 in these hearty multi-grain "Splits". All-natural, quality baked goodness. Unique homestyle baking process precisely matures the pretzel dough and then bakes it to split-open perfection from Reading, Pennsylvania.
Bourbon beef jerky: Made with North Carolina double malt bourbon. Subtle flavors with a touch of molasses & a sweet black pepper finish. Produce in Conover North Carolina.
Coffee: Taylor Coffee is an artisan coffee roasting company that is locally owned and operated in Charleston, WV. The medium grind cinnamon dulce is a deliciously sweet way to start the day.
Mustard: Sweet, hot, creamy, and delicious this mustard can be used as a traditional condiment or a dipping sauce. Each batch from Athens, Ohio is made with the highest quality ingredients. Available in Famous Kream and Golden Ale
Cherry Spreader: This beautiful cherry spreader is the perfect match to our cherry butter dish but can also be used with cheeses. It will quickly become a favorite utensil in your kitchen. 7" Made by Matt Thomas of ThomasWork in Shock, WV
Votive Candle: Made of beeswax from Smokey Ridge Apiary
This mustard - the famous Kream - is like my favorite kind of mustard. It's a little hot, it's sweet, it has a consistency of like honey. It's really good - and perfect to dip pretzels into. I'll be buying it again.
Also Taylor Coffee! I had never heard of it, and I love trying every new coffee roasted in West Virginia. So, this was quite the treat. Here's some more on them:
Taylor Coffee is an artisan coffee roasting company with a mission to bring elevated coffee experiences and local profit by selling and serving locally roasted coffee.
A locally owned and operated West Virginia business, we sprung from Taylor Books, the wonderfully eclectic Independent Bookstore/ Cafe/ Art Gallery/ Underground Theater founded in 1995 by Ann Taylor Saville.
David, our VP of Flavor and Roaster is Ann’s oldest child. He brought artisan, locally roasted coffee to Charleston in 1997 as the original roaster for Taylor Books.
David’s 30+ years of coffee expertise began in Los Angeles, CA and continues to grow. Now he is developing an apprenticeship program for West Virginians to participate in this booming industry.
We donate to Cafe Appalachia in support of their beautiful mission : enjoy Taylor Coffee there and help them support WV families !
Newly located at Boulevard Tower, a nationally registered historic building, Taylor Coffee will serve Charleston as an elegant, private indoor & garden setting, providing special occasions such as wine, local beer and coffee tastings, weekend brunch and events supporting local catering and businesses as we recover together from the pandemic and bring prosperity back to our lives.
I'll take any excuse to eat a charcuterie board - and when there's a new local business serving them up? I can indulge all in the name of research.
Valley Grazing Co. is based in Scott Depot and has a few different options available for folks to order. I ordered the "Signature Grazing Box" which is $40. It's meant for two, so I ordered one for a date night in.
I noted a few of my dislikes (dark chocolate, grapefruit), so none of those made their way into the box. BUT, I did get a cool detailed list of everything inside! I loved that, because I've not received it before. The owner dropped off my charcuterie box at work, and I was set.
It came with one giant box with all the goodies, then a smaller box for the crackers - which is awesome because the moisture could make them a little soggy. The box was so full that the bottom was actually not super stable - which could be a good problem to have! There was a nice variety of fruit - grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries. And a couple cheeses and meats, too. All with bamboo cutlery and a honey packet. Have you tried them yet?
Recently, I saw "Almost Heaven Pepperoni Rolls" popping up across Facebook. i had not heard of them or tried them before, but I know I needed to try them out.
Based in Mt. Nebo, this cottage business serves "gourmet pepperoni rolls filled with marinara sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, with a garlic buttery crust."
They have a few different versions available, which was really exciting! The "Original" consists of the buttery garlic roll stuff with pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.
The "Ramp Roll" is the buttery garlic roll stuff with pepperoni, pepper jack cheese, sauteed ramps and marinara sauce.
The "New Yorker" is the buttery garlic roll stuff with pepperoni, mozzarella, cheese, banana peppers, sauteed white onions, marinara sauce and anchovies -- the last is optional! I got one with and one without.
The "Kickin Chicken" is the buttery garlic roll stuffed with mozzarella cheese, buffalo chicken, pepperoni and ranch.
The "Coal Miner" is the buttery garlic roll stuff with sauteed white onions, green peppers, mushrooms, black olives, pepperoni, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Honestly, each of these were so good! The roll itself is good, though.I would recommend once you get them to repackage them outside the foil. They can get soggy after a while. But, it's fun to have a pepperoni roll filled with so many veggies or other flavors. Check it out
The Mason Jar in Point Pleasant has a little bit of everything - including some tasty snacks.
They have some more commercial products, but there are also goodies from local folks, too.
I had to try some of this root beer.
And maybe collect some more Mothman merch.
Have you been?
It's the best time of the month! The monthly subscription box from J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works!
Appalachian Glass - Glass Bird
A small glass bird 2" long and 1.25" tall. Comes in either Light or Dark Blue. Hand blown glass from Weston, WV. These little birds are perfect for your window sill.
Appalachian Naturals - Organic Cranberry Sauce
A traditional favorite made & grown organically here on the East coast. Cape Cod grown certified organic cranberry sauce with a touch of sugar. Excellent served with meats or mixed in your favorite hot cereal!
Appalachian Wax Works - Honeycomb Soap
These adorable guest soaps make washing your hands a breeze! Sold individually and each soap comes in gift bag shown. Available in a sweet, aromatic Raw Honeycomb fragrance.
Finch + Flourish - Pumpkin Greeting Cards
Illustrated heirloom pumpkins notecard box set, includes 8 cards + envelopes. Printed on 92lb earth-friendly white corn paper, with recycled craft paper envelopes. Blank inside. Cards measure 5 x 3.5" when folded. Designed and printed in Pittsburgh, PA.
Imladris Farms - Apple Butter
This jam is made on a 6th generation farm in western North Carolina. The berries are all locally grown. The Apple Butter uses Western North Carolina apples, a "southern" spice profile, and is slow cooked for hours for the perfect texture and flavor.
Southern City Flavors - Cornbread Mix
A true Southern dish made with old fashion Stone Ground Yellow Corn meal and a true southern recipe that any true Southern cook would love.
There are so many incredible businesses in West Virginia - especially in the food arena. I love going to The Wild Ramp in Huntington to not only check out the outdoor farmers, but also see the vendor goods inside (and each some goodies from the kitchen!).
There are so many good products out there, I wanted to share some of my recent haul, including these hot sauces from Native Eats.
Holy Cross Monastery is a traditional, English-speaking men's monastic community of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, located in Wayne, WV. They make soaps and other products for sale! I also got some of this Panforte to try, which is like a spice cake with fruit.
It was interesting.
Ooh and Appalachian Botanical Co. has lovely lavender that you can put in a dresser drawer to keep all your clothes smelling fresh.
They also have their own honey and salt.
Sneak peek of some of the delicious things that come out of Harvest Kitchen.
This kitchen inside The Wild Ramp uses food from local vendors to create some delicious meals.
Scragglepop is a kettlecorn business that can be seen at events, stores and elsewhere in the area. They have a bunch of different flavors, but the traditional was available at the Wild Ramp, and I was excited to bring some home.
Wired Possum Coffee is a new coffee roaster in Hurricane, and I always like to collect some beans from local roasters. They roast in small batches and create interesting flavors.
Meet the Roaster: Our roaster, Daniel Schumacher, discovered his love of coffee while working the graveyard shift in 2006. Going to his favorite coffee shop in the evening before work helped put him in the right mindset for getting his job done well. Over time he’s visited shops and roasteries around the country, appreciating the craftsmanship and attention to detail they each bring from the bean to the cup. Upon moving to Hurricane in early 2020, Daniel decided to take his passion to the next level by opening Wired Possum Coffee.
Just a few more odds and ends - Toms Creek Smoked Chipotle Maple Syrup. This Wayne family farm grows produce in the summer and makes maple syrup in the winter.
Cedar Run Farm Maple Syrup is really popular in the area; In addition to their syrup, they also grow Christmas trees! Finally, Sugar Bottom Farm produces honey - plus other home and body products.
What are your favorite finds?
I just love J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile subscription box day. It's seriously the highlight of my month sometimes. I could barely contain my excitement when i opened this month's box. AND, I have received one of my absolute favorite items to date.
Appalachian Botanical - Lavender Sachet: Filled a lavender organza bag with buds from the fields in Ashford, WV and then enclosed it in a muslin pouch. Tuck a sachet in your closet or dresser drawer to infuse your clothing and linens, slip one in your purse or gym bag to enjoy the fresh, relaxing bouquet on the go, or slide one inside your pillowcase and drift off to sleep nestled in the heavenly scent.
Crescent Simples - Peach Hibiscus Simple Syrup: Two former New Orleans bartenders, Megan and Bill, who wanted to make craft cocktails at home make these syrups in Charlottesville, VA. Made from raw sugar, fresh fruit and herbs & spices, you will love them in your sparkling water, added to a cocktail, or tea. Three flavors: Blueberry Lavender, Blackberry Vanilla, or Strawberry Basil.
The Rustic House - Wood Sugar Mold Candle Insert: These rustic sugar mold candle holders are quality reproductions of actual cane sugar molds that have been used in Mexico for centuries. Each sugar mold has wear and individuality to make them a truly rustic addition to your home decor. Each piece is handcrafted and unique. Please expect variations in size, texture, distressing, cracks, warping, weathering and color.
The Pig Cave - Black Mustard: Produced in downtown Leesburg, the black mustard is spicy, bold, intense, and delicious, the way mustard is supposed to be. Serve with charcuterie and artisan cheeses; mix in salad dressings, or add as a condiment to make a great-tasting burger.
Virginia Vinegar Works - Malt Vinegar: Likely the most robust natural malt vinegar you’ve ever tasted. Made from locally-sourced “malt-forward” craft beer. Dark, rich, full of seductive flavor you’ll want to taste right now. An outstanding addition to fish, potatoes and anything in the cabbage family.
Gigi's Pepperoni Rolls is a new home-based pepperoni roll bakery in Huntington. I've seen them on social, and they recently won the Williamson's Pepperoni Roll Festival. So, I reached out on a day I knew I'd be in Huntington to see if I could pick up their pepperoni rolls anywhere. While they weren't out selling, they did agree to meet me to drop off an order (so nice!).
The first thing to note is that these are small, two-bite size pepperoni rolls. So you're not going to order just one (like I mistakenly tried to do). Instead, you order a dozen. These small pockets are filled with a couple slices of pepperoni, some cheese and dusted with parmesan. I really like the bread, which is light enough but has just enough bite. Not too dry or too greasy. I wouldn't hate more cheese so you get to sink some tooth into it, rather than it just kinda coating the interior. But overall, solid pepperoni roll!
Grade: A
Heiner's Bakery is a Huntington favorite.
The commercial bakery distributes baked goods within about 200 miles of Huntington.
As per Wikipedia, "the bakery was privately owned by the Heiner family, and marketed exclusively under the "Heiner's" label until it was acquired by the Earthgrains division of Anheuser-Busch in 1994. Six months later, A-B spun off its bread business as the stand-alone Earthgrains Corporation. In 2000, Earthgrains merged with the Sara Lee Corporation. In 2011, Sara Lee sold its bread business, including the trademark Sara Lee, to the worldwide Grupo Bimbo, which is based in Mexico City. Today the bakery markets under the "Heiner's", "Earthgrains", "Sara Lee" and "Bimbo" brands."
They have a surplus store, where you can get some products for half or more off, so I wanted to check it out. I remember going to a "bread store" growing up. I think it was likely an outlet store - and I know of others that exist around the state. Outlet bakery stores are kind of their own little category of the market.
"A bakery outlet is a shop where regional bakeries (the ones bake the name-brand goods for grocery stores, not the mom-and-pop spots) take their nearly-expired foods and offer them at a greatly reduced price. There's not a lot of information about these stores and how they work available online; most are truly bare bones operations with wire shelving, a cash register, and a sign on the door.
Bakery outlets, or bakery thrift stores, are the last stop for baked goods before they hit the dumpster. Employees that stock shelves at the grocery stores will remove items that are nearing their best-by code, and they'll bring them to these stores.
The markdowns range by company and by product, but average savings fall between 25 and 50 percent of retail price. Serious markdowns can be 75 percent or more. (SOURCE)"
The Heiner's surplus store had tons of bread, some muffin packages and even some chips. What do you like to get here?
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