Treat someone - or yourself - to these Appalachia-based goodies

Whether you have a birthday, anniversary or housewarming party coming up, these Appalachian gifts help you share your love for the region with the recipient. 

Appalachia is home to various unique food brands that reflect the region's rich culinary traditions and artisanal craftsmanship. Here are some foods from Appalachia that make excellent gifts:

1. Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill

Muddy Pond Sorghum Mill in Tennessee produces high-quality sorghum syrup using traditional methods. The family-owned operation has been crafting this sweet, molasses-like syrup for generations, making it a wonderful gift for anyone who appreciates traditional Appalachian flavors.

2. Broadbent's Hams

In Kentucky, Broadbent's Hams is renowned for its country hams, bacon and sausage. Their dry-cured, aged hams offer a savory taste of Appalachian tradition, perfect for the carnivores in your life and those who enjoy artisanal charcuterie.

3. Yoder's Apple Butter

Yoder's Apple Butter, produced by the Amish community in Ohio, is a staple in many Appalachian households. Slow-cooked and spiced to perfection, it is a delicious spread for toast, biscuits, and more, offering a comforting taste of home.

4. Shady Grove Botanicals

Shady Grove Botanicals in North Carolina offers a range of ramp products, including ramp salt and ramp-infused oils. These wild leeks are a prized ingredient in Appalachian cuisine, and their products capture the unique flavor of this seasonal delicacy.

5. The Old Mill

The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, provides stone-ground cornmeal and grits, essential ingredients in many traditional Appalachian dishes. Their products are milled using time-honored techniques, ensuring a superior taste and texture.

6. Blue Smoke Salsa

Blue Smoke Salsa, based in Ansted, West Virginia, offers a range of salsas made from locally sourced ingredients. Their salsas come in various heat levels and flavors, from mild to extra hot, and even include unique varieties like black bean and corn salsa. These salsas are great for anyone who enjoys bold, fresh flavors.

7. Meadow Creek Dairy

Meadow Creek Dairy in Virginia is known for its artisanal cheeses, such as Grayson and Appalachian, which have garnered national acclaim. These handcrafted cheeses reflect the region's terroir and make a luxurious gift for cheese lovers. “Each of our cheeses has its own original recipe and its own specialized make process; our seasonal raw milk means no two makes are the same. Unwavering attention to detail, decades of cheese-making experience, and our hand-picked, dedicated team of cheese makers keep our cheeses at a consistent level of excellence. Still, every day brings something new to learn,” reads the website.

8. Dancing Bear Apiary

Dancing Bear Apiary in North Carolina produces wildflower and sourwood honey, both known for their distinctive flavors. Their honey is a delightful natural sweetener and a lovely gift for those who enjoy a little sweetness. Raw honey varietals include wildflower honey, orange blossom honey, buckwheat honey, basswood honey and berry blossom honey.

9. J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works

J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works is a family-owned company in West Virginia that produces small-batch, hand-harvested salt from an ancient ocean trapped below the Appalachian Mountains. This gourmet salt, known for its purity and rich mineral content, is perfect for food enthusiasts and home chefs. Their products include finishing salts, flavored salts, and bath salts, all beautifully packaged and ideal for gifting. Finishing salt varieties include ramp, applewood smoked, bourbon smoked, mushroom herb and ghost pepper.

10. French Broad Chocolates

Based in Asheville, North Carolina, French Broad Chocolates creates artisanal chocolates using local ingredients and sustainable practices. Their bean-to-bar chocolates and truffles are an indulgent treat and a perfect gift for anyone who appreciates fine, handcrafted confections. Some of their signature bonbon flavors include fresh raspberry, wildflower honey caramel, lemon cheesecake, hazelnut crunch, cafe au lait, rose, cardamom, and pistachio.

11. Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory

Located in Yazoo City, Mississippi, the Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory produces one of Appalachia’s gems: cheese straws. Cheese straws are “a delectable combination of perfectly aged cheddar cheese, flour and spices shaped into narrow ‘straws” which we bake to perfection to create a crispy snack-of-art,” according to the website. In addition to the classic cheddar flavor, the business offers many more, including lemon, sriracha, sea salt caramel, peppermint cookie, red velvet, three cheese, cinnamon pecan and toasted almond.

These are just a handful of the delicious delicacies that are not only delicious and unique but also embody the rich cultural heritage and artisanal spirit of Appalachia. Each item offers a taste of the region's traditions and makes a thoughtful and memorable gift.