Deliciously Local

By Kristine Hansen

Twelve edible, Wisconsin-made gifts with heart.

The only item missing from a CAMP Craft Cocktails 16-ounce infusion kit is the alcohol. For example, included in the hibiscus ginger lemon kit is hibiscus, ginger root, lemon and organic cane sugar. Just add your alcohol of choice, or, for a mocktail, soda or tonic.

$27, Hazel General Store

Photo courtesy Hazel General Store

 

Mukwonago-based The Elegant Farmer’s eight-inch “apple pie in a bag” is crafted with fresh, juicy apples and is celebrated for its crunchy top crust and flaky bottom crust. Have it delivered nationwide through Goldbelly — or buy it locally.

$24.99, Metcalfe’s Market Hilldale

Photo courtesy Metcalfe’s Market Hilldale

 

For the home chef who thinks they have everything in their spice pantry — but actually doesn’t — this collection of three spices in the Taco Trio Seasoning & Rub Kit (El Capitan, El Jefe and El Dinero) from Iron Ridge’s PS Seasoning dresses up a casual weeknight meal of tacos with ease.

$21.99, psseasoning.com

Photo courtesy Ps Seasonings

 

Rooibos is an herbal red tea native to South Africa. Blended with caramel, this loose-leaf tea from Telsaan Tea, a tea shop in Mount Horeb, is the perfect after-dinner drink for health-conscious sweet tooths or your tea-loving BFF.

$5.95 for 1.7 ounces, $10.95 for 3.5 ounces or $20.95 for 7 ounces

Photo courtesy Telsaan Tea

 

Launched by Robyn and Stan Kitson in 2019 to mark their wedding anniversary, Mount Horeb’s Driftless Chocolates’ Wisconsin Supper Club truffles collection is inspired by classic cocktails, such as a brandy Old Fashioned, Brandy Alexander, Pink Squirrel and Grasshopper.

Five-piece box, $14.25; 12-piece box, $34.20; driftlesschocolates.com

Photo courtesy Driftless Chocolates

 

Combined with warmed milk (or a milk alternative), The Deliciouser’s Chocolate Oaxaqueño, a super-rich hot chocolate, has a hint of heat from Mexico — thanks to the Oaxacan chiles. A cup spices up a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon or a snow day with the kids.

$12 & $24 , thedeliciouser.com

Photo courtesy The Deliciouser

 

When drizzled over pancakes, French toast or Belgian waffles, Dancing Goat Distillery’s whiskey barrel-aged maple syrup makes leisurely weekend breakfasts taste even sweeter. Find it at the Cambridge tasting room, where a post-holiday shopping cocktail might also be in order.

$12, dancinggoat.com

Photo by Hillary Schave

 

From Milwaukee Food Tours’ founder Theresa Nemetz, the Delicious Wisconsin Advent Calendar is an activity for the whole family. Behind each of the 24 flaps is an edible, Wisconsin-made treat, from a handful of flavored nuts to a tiny jar of Christmas jam.

$159, deliciousfooddelivered.com

Photo courtesy Delicious Food Delivered

 

European-style cured meats culled from farmer co-ops in the Driftless region are the perfect stocking stuffers. Underground Meats’ flavors range from Spanish chorizo and Calabrian 3 Way for a little heat to the milder Gin Rummy and Saucisson Sec.

$6.50-$15, undergroundmeats.com; also sold at Fromagination, Willy Street Co-op and Metcalfe’s Market Hilldale

Photo courtesy Underground Meats

 

Instead of a blah block of cheddar, skew unique with Dodgeville-based Uplands Cheese’s Pleasant Ridge Reserve. This alpine-style hard cheese is aged between 10 and 14 months — and is the most awarded cheese in America.

$33/lb., Fromagination

Photo courtesy Fromagination

 

Forward Provisions’ small-batch, artisan pickled products are perfect for the party host who enjoys whipping up gorgeous appetizer boards or a gourmand who wants to add some zest to a burger or salad. The Madison company also makes hot giardiniera.

$10 each, landmarkcreamery.com

Photo by Hillary Schave

 

This ode to one of Wisconsin’s quirkiest museums — the National Mustard Museum in Middleton — is for the condiment lover who likes to play around with different flavors and can’t settle on just one. Tucked into the Mini Mustard Medley gift box are eight tiny jars of mustard, from French dijon to a honey-infused mustard from Wisconsin.

$35, mustardmuseum.com

Photo courtesy National Mustard Museum

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