Food Issue - Atlanta artisan foods
10 home-grown products for your pantry
Atlanta Fresh Yogurt: Atlanta Fresh makes Greek-style yogurts in funky flavors, such as Port wine and cherry, with Johnston Family Farms’ amazing milk. The yogurt may be low-fat, but the Greek method means it’s so rich you don’t miss anything. Another plus: The company makes it a priority to get its products to the shelf mere days after being produced. www.atlantafresh.com.
Batdorf & Bronson Coffee: Although Batdorf is headquartered in Olympia, Wash., its only other roasting facility is in Atlanta, which means you don’t have to rely on vacuum-packed cans. The award-winning company goes to great lengths to ensure that the beans are sourced from a single origin and always freshly roasted just days before reaching your cup. www.batdorfcoffee.com.
K CHOCOLAT: Kristen Hard’s line of handmade chocolates infused with savory spices and more traditional flavorings will have you swooning. Hard is the only female bean-to-bar chocolatier in the U.S. Her delicate hand is evident in each creation she sells at her tiny Inman Park storefront, Cacao Laboratoire du Chocolat and Boutique. 312-C N. Highland Ave. 404-221-9090. www.cacaoatlanta.com.
FOX BROS. BBQ SAUCE: The brothers Fox have struck out on a national level with their packaged barbecue sauce. Jonathan Fox describes his homegrown recipe as “a mixture of where I’m at (Atlanta) and where I’m from (Texas).” The product is completely natural and packed with the smoky and spicy taste fans adore. (Available at Whole Foods.) www.foxbrosbbq.com.
REAL BREAD COMPANY BREAD: Crusty Artisan breads are easy to come by, but sliced bread is not so commonplace. That’s why it’s refreshing to find a local family-run bakery’s bread at your local grocer. Most of the company’s breads are on the healthier side – spelt, whole wheat, etc. – but the density, taste and obvious quality make you forget you’re eating something good for you. www.realbreadcompany.com.
SPARKMAN’S CREAM VALLEY MILK: The days of the milkman leaving glass bottles of ice-cold milk for city dwellers has long since passed. However, the continuing demand for farm-fresh dairy products means more stores are stocking small-batch milk like that of Sparkman’s Cream Valley. Sparkman’s uses Jersey cow milk that is widely praised for its creamy consistency and clean flavor. www.sparkmanscreamvalley.com.
STAR PROVISIONS’ CHARCUTERIE: This Westside specialty grocer has been an expensive habit for gourmet junkies since it opened. But the addition of its in-house charcuterie program has taken visits from extravagance to addiction. No other store provides such a noteworthy assortment of salumi, sausages, terrines and aged steaks. It’s expensive, but totally worth the splurge. 1198 Howell Mill Road. 404-365-0410. www.starprovisions.com.
SWEET GRASS DAIRY CHEESE: Jessica and Jeremy Little transformed the small yet picturesque Thomasville dairy into a cheese-making powerhouse. Its award-winning cheeses – the Green Hill in particular – have been lauded in publications such as the New York Times and sought after by discerning chefs and cheesemongers across the country. www.sweetgrassdairy.com.
WHITE OAK PASTURES GRASS-FED BEEF: Rancher Will Harris has taken his family’s farm from small-time to big-time with hard work, technology and plenty of charisma. After building his own on-site processing plant, Harris was able to get his exceptionally full-flavored beef into Publix and Whole Foods stores. www.whiteoakpastures.com.
YUMMY SPOONFULS BABY FOOD: Most parents who like to keep their own food whole, nutritious and free of additives aim to do the same for their offspring (at least before the exhaustion sets in). But let’s get real. No one has the time. Enter Yummy Spoonfuls, a 100 percent organic baby food offered in plenty of flavors to please your fussy toddler. It’s available in the frozen section at many retailers – such as Whole Foods – and local farmers’ markets. www.yummyspoonfuls.com.