Five Regional Brands I Love

Cinnamon from Penzeys

Blogging about food has changed my way of eating and enlightened me in so many ways. While I still abhor food snobs, I have become a fierce champion of fresh, close-to-home products.



It's so simple: Fresh really does taste better. And buying local builds community and ensures you get fresh products.

But when I began this venture, before I began to read about food as well as eat it, I'm not sure I gave fresh and local much thought. I shopped at farm markets because they were fun and lively, and I ate plenty of fresh foods. But I wasn't truly committed.

But since June 2006, my thinking has changed a great deal, and I really have to thank other bloggers and the Internet for this very welcome and delicious transformation. That said, I still buy plenty of prepared foods, but prefer to purchase them from local and regional vendors.

Here are five favorites that are almost always in my refrigerator. To access the brands' web sites, click on the company name.

American Spoon

Based in Petoskey, Mich., just across the lake, American Spoon offers preserves, marmalades, fruit butters, salsas, grilling sauces and more.

I discovered the company's products in a local supermarket. I am partial to Dill and Caper Relish, which makes a great tartar sauce when blended with mayonnaise but stands well on its own, too.

Other faves include: Apple and Onion Jam, Blueberry-Lime Preserves and Apple Cider Grilling Sauce.

BelGioiso Cheese

This 35-year-old company makes Italian cheese in Pulaski, Wis., near Green Bay. Their products include Mascarpone, which I have used here, here and here. Oh, and here.

While Mascarpone is undeniably my favorite, I also love BelGioiso's fresh Mozzarella and solid Parmesan in my Caprese "sun salads" and on my pasta, respectively. I love the latter when freshly grated.

BelGioiso has won an impressive array of awards for its cheeses, which doesn't surprise me as their quality is consistent.

Favorite Product:   Tiramisü Mascarpone is lightly-flavored with coffee.

Door County Coffee and Tea

Local grocery stores feature both small and large packages of this specialty coffee, which I have purchased and included in many silent-auction baskets over the years. It is widely available across the bay in beautiful Door County.

The flavors are imaginative: Caramel-Pecan Scone, German Chocolate Cake, Red Velvet Mocha, Peanut-Butter Crunch and Cranberry Creme. I always keep a few in my freezer year-round.

But those are just the flavored coffees. For coffee purists, Door County Coffee also features an organic line, which may be fair-trade, small estate grown, shade grown or bird friendly, or possessing some other desirable certification. A line of loose tea bearing the Door County name is also available.

Everything I've purchased from Door County Coffee and Tea is delicious and of high quality. I don't always drink flavored coffee, but when I do I drink Door County.

Favorite Product: Seasonal coffee, flavors like Cinnamon Spice and Caramel Apple, that are only available in fall, or Candy Cane and Hot Buttered Rum, available just in time for Christmas.

LaClare Farms Cheese

I was introduced to this cheese house's offerings about three years ago at a local restaurant. About the same time, they turned up in local supermarkets in the upscale cheese section. The company specializes in goat cheese.

I used this cheese to make this recipe and it's one of my favorites. It's been recognized with several cheese championships

Located in Pipe, Wis., near the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago, LaClare Farms, is about 100 miles from my kitchen, but they sell cheese, caramels made with goat butter and soap online.

LaClare Farms products come from herds of Alpines, Toggenburgs, Saanens, LaManchas, Nubians and Recorded Grades goats.

Here is the LaClare Farms recipe link.

Penzeys Spices

Penzeys caught my attention around the time I left Madison, when they opened an outlet on the near-West Side. It was a must stop for me on early trips back to Mad City. 

Later when I became a more serious cook, I was taken by the quality of Penzeys spices and the fact that they offered small, reasonably-priced jars. Headquartered in Wauwautosa, outside of Milwaukee, Penzeys has at least 67 retail outlets in 20 states, according to the company's Wikepedia entry.

Penzeys has retained my loyalty because it is constantly coming up with new mixes and new products. Its down-home catalogues are fun to read because they feature readers and their recipes. 

Penzeys has done an excellent job maintaining its Wisconsin-ness: It is unpretentious and focused on quality. A family business, Penzeys seems to understand its low-key brand. It is not flashy and not trendy. Service is fast and in my last order, I received a free sample. I am proud Penzeys is a Wisconsin company.

For current recipes, see this page.

Favorite Product: French Four Spice, a blend of white pepper, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that enhances the flavor of pork chops, potato casseroles and stew with red wine.