Pick Up These Local Foodie Gifts

By Candice Wagener | Courtesy Respective Companies

MADAME CHU

Owner Josey Chu wanted “to fill the void of Southeast Asian flavors in the market,” and share the flavors of her grandmother’s Singaporean recipes by recreating a collection of sauces and pastes. Offerings include sambal
nyonya, a deep red chili paste; ginger garlic sauce; and satay peanut nyonya, a dense paste that balances the heat of peppers with the richness of peanuts. madame-chu.com

UGLYAPPLE

Locals may be familiar with the Ugly Apple food cart, which has been creating delicious breakfast fare out of discarded produce “seconds” since 2016. Chef and owner Laurel Burleson’s latest venture includes her jams, jellies and marmalades, all made using imperfect produce from local farms. Flavors change depending on what’s available. Strawberry basil, rhubarb bourbon and plum chamomile have all been in the rotation. uglyapplecafe.com

RUSTY DOG COFFEE AND 6&12 TEA CO.

Rusty Dog Coffee offers fresh-roasted specialty coffee, either in bags or as a subscription service. Aficionados will appreciate the depth in flavor between varieties, sourced from co-ops primarily located in South America. Their sister company, 6&12 Tea Co., offers an organic lineup of teas with flavors like Blue Rooiby herbal tea and Golden Turmeric chai. rustydogcoffee.com

THE CIDER FARM

Made from their organically-grown apples harvested from their Mineral Point-area orchard, The Cider Farm produces small-batch, fine ciders. Varieties include Cyser (fermented apple juice sweetened with honey), oak-aged and rosé. Also look for their apple brandy maple syrup and their five-year apple brandy, which they released in late spring. theciderfarm.com

OFF THE BLOCK

Every jar of Off the Block salsa supports youth programs organized through Mentoring Positives, a nonprofit started by Will Green to help at-risk youth in Dane County. Youth are actively involved in the salsa production. Mild and spicy varieties can be purchased at Metcalfe’s, Regent Street Market and Willy Street Co-op, as well as online. offtheblock.store

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