My latest J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile Box is here - let's see what we got!
Appalachian Botanical Company - lavender stem bundle - Place in your fireplace, campfire, or firepit, then sit back and enjoy the relaxing fragrance of lavender. Or soak in water for two hours and then add it to your grill to infuse fish, meat, or veggies with a smoky lavender flavor.
MallyMoon Handmade - soap dish - handmade in this adorable neutral color
J&W Farm - spice cake mix - Take yourself back to when Grandma was making her famous spice cookies or cake with traditional Lemon Sauce. Now come to a time when diet choice & certain restrictions are common. They have developed a delicious Spice Cake Mix that not only tastes great but is Gluten Free & Vegan. They use naturally flavored ingredients, Grandma’s blend of spices & dry Molasses.
Scratch Pasta - spinach fusilli - These delicious pastas are made in Lynchburg, VA by Stephanie Fees of Scratch Pasta Co. The Spinach Fusilli is a amazing bright colored pasta that will brighten any meal.
ThomasWork - cherry chopsticks - These chopsticks are made of native walnut with a cherry holder/rest. Perfect for the Asian food lover. Hand wash. 9" long
Mountain Momma Organics - nut & berry trail mix - Nutty Berry Trail Mix is a refreshing mix of nuts, berries, and seeds. This mix is our own design and handmade by us. This trail mix with no preservatives just makes you feel great when you eat it.
Have you ever been to a Taco John's? If you haven't spent much time in the Midwest, there's a chance that you haven't.
While traveling through Ohio, I found a Taco John's location. The Mexican-inspired fast food chain offers tacos, burritos, bowls, nachos and more - standard fare.
I ordered Mexican donut bites, which are little fried bits of dough with sugar - you can't really go wrong, right?
I also tried out a breakfast burrito. Pretty standard, run of the mill burrito with scrambled egg, cheese, potatoes, peppers and sausage. Warm, slightly mushy and pretty average. But, it does the job.
Here's the mail, it never fails, it makes me wanna wag my tail. When it comes I wanna wail MAIL.
Blue's Clues, anyone?
It's my favorite mail day: when my J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Appalachian Mercantile monthly subscription box arrives! And, it's a fun one!
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works: Toffee Crunch Peanuts - In partnership with Belmont Peanuts, these amazing hand cooked Virginia peanuts have a fresh, crunchy, crispy flavor. Available in three great flavors, Salted, Salt & Pepper, and Toffee Crunch.
Asheville Tea Company: Snow Day Blend - Enjoy a cuppa with these delectable teas from Asheville Tea Company. These local craft teas are blended by hand in small batches using the finest locally sourced seasonal botanicals. The inspiration for these blends are found in the unique flavors of the town of Asheville, NC. Box of 20 tea bags. Three blends: Asheville Grey, Chamomile Lavender, Jasmine Gold
Simple Products: Spiced Pear Syrup - Simple Products Pear Syrup is a delicious compliment to any breakfast. Made from organically grown Ohio pears, organic natural evaporated cane sugar, orange juice, ground cinnamon, and ground clove. Simply perfect.
Brookstone Soaps: Peppermint - These hand crafted soaps are made by Brookstone Soap in Huntington, WV.
Plus Tait Farm Foods herbed biscuit baking mix and this adorable bowl from Heartmoss Pottery.
Blue's Clues, anyone?
It's my favorite mail day: when my J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Appalachian Mercantile monthly subscription box arrives! And, it's a fun one!
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works: Toffee Crunch Peanuts - In partnership with Belmont Peanuts, these amazing hand cooked Virginia peanuts have a fresh, crunchy, crispy flavor. Available in three great flavors, Salted, Salt & Pepper, and Toffee Crunch.
Asheville Tea Company: Snow Day Blend - Enjoy a cuppa with these delectable teas from Asheville Tea Company. These local craft teas are blended by hand in small batches using the finest locally sourced seasonal botanicals. The inspiration for these blends are found in the unique flavors of the town of Asheville, NC. Box of 20 tea bags. Three blends: Asheville Grey, Chamomile Lavender, Jasmine Gold
Simple Products: Spiced Pear Syrup - Simple Products Pear Syrup is a delicious compliment to any breakfast. Made from organically grown Ohio pears, organic natural evaporated cane sugar, orange juice, ground cinnamon, and ground clove. Simply perfect.
Brookstone Soaps: Peppermint - These hand crafted soaps are made by Brookstone Soap in Huntington, WV.
Plus Tait Farm Foods herbed biscuit baking mix and this adorable bowl from Heartmoss Pottery.
I discovered a new charcuterie small business, and I felt it was my duty to check it out.
Based in Scott Depot, Goldilocks Grazing Boxes offers a 10x10 box for $50 that I thought would be perfect for a date night.
After scheduling my order with them on Facebook and meeting to pick up my order at Fruth pharmacy in Scott Depot, I came home to unwrap our treasures.
The cheeses weren't as unique as others I've had - simple swiss and colby jack. And the same with honey ham. But, there were a couple salamis, I loved the cream cheese-filled peppers with everything seasoning, and there was a nice mix of blueberries, strawberries, grapes and raspberries. Plus red pepper hummus, spinach dip, and a little olive-feta mix.
It's always fun to see what different pieces are combined to created that beautiful mix of flavors and textures. The order also came with a bag full of thin crackers, utensils, bite-size chocolates, moist towelettes and napkins. Have you tried Goldilocks Grazing Boxes?
Have you heard of Mountain Juice? If not, here's what they're all about: We are a Weekly Monday Juicery in Charleston, WV. Mountain Juice is made fresh each Monday morning for afternoon pick up.
If you don't purchase directly from them online, you can also find them at Vandalia Co. and the Purple Onion. I grabbed one while I was getting donuts at Vandalia (what a combo!). I picked up a "Mountain Pineapple," which has kale, spinach, celery, parsley, cucumber, lemon and pineapple. I was hoping it was heavier on the pineapple flavor, but it is not. It certainly tastes green - to me. Have you tried it? Which drink is your favorite?
Did you know?
J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works recently released a whole new line of spice blends!
They are Ramped Up Ranch, Appalachian Za'atar, Allegheny Herb & Citrus, Smoky Mountain Rub, Blue Ridge Bagel.
I swear I'm not sponsored by them - but I do love them and thought I'd share in case anyone else is looking for holiday gifts! Have you tried them yet?
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?
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