Finding the quintessential Arizona gift
Question from Kelly:
I am going to visit some friends in North Carolina in a few weeks. I want to bring them a gift that is specifically from Arizona. Could you give me some ideas?
Answer: This one got my attention. I am constantly trying to come up with clever ideas for gifts.
Sometimes it's for someone who's on the mend, other times it's for a "thank you" or "hostess gift." And, every now and then, a simple "thinking of you" gift is called for.
Whatever the occasion, I don't want it to appear as if I've "phoned it in!" So why not buy local? That shows effort and creativity.
We have several well-respected, "home-grown" businesses that offer items that Arizonans can proudly give to friends. Arizona Republic food writer Karen Fernau lists some of those ideas here:
"Arizona is the home to so many wonderful food makers. A gift from any of the following five makes for a wonderful gift.
Mohave mango salsa from Goldwater's Salsa
"In Arizona, salsa is our ketchup, a condiment we eat with everything from eggs to burgers. For the past 25 years, the late Sen. Barry Goldwater's daughters and granddaughter have parlayed his political pedigree and a family passion for cooking into a line of salsas that satisfy our cravings for fiery foods.
Details: Available at most grocery and specialty stores and at goldwaters.com.
Tortillas from Carolina's
"It would be impossible to know how many thousands of perfect handmade tortillas have been turned out by the kitchen staff at Carolina's Mexican Food, a local mainstay for the past 50-plus years. Rarely does a simple mix of flour, water, lard, baking powder and salt taste so good.
Details: 1202 E. Mohave St., Phoenix, 602-252-1503. Also, 2126 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix. 602-275-8231. And, 9030 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria. 623-487-1400. carolinasmexicanfood.com.
Roasted garlic olive oil from Queen Creek Olive Mill
Tour Arizona's only working olive grove and learn why most of the Valley's top chefs use this oil in their kitchens. Visitors can tour the groves and processing plant and buy the mill's peppery olive oils, stuffed olives, tapenades and artisan breads in the gift shop.
Details: Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Road, Queen Creek. 480-888-9290, queencreekolivemill.com: Oils and Olives by the Queen Creek Olive Mill, Kierland Commons, Greenway Parkway and Scottsdale Road, Phoenix. 480-361-9860. Queen Creek Olive Oil at the Union, Biltmore Fashion Park, 24th Street and Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-955-2085.
Desert honey from AZ Queen Bee
Honey flavors range from region to region, from the nutty flavor of sunflower honey from France to the dark, robust honey of Alaska. Arizona honey by bee keeper Emily Brown showcases the flavors of the desert, a mix of mesquite, citrus and seasonal blooms.
Details: 602-881-9877, azqueenbee.com.
Heritage scone mix from Hayden Flour Mills
This Phoenix-based company is reviving the tradition of stone-ground grains started more than 125 years ago by Charles Hayden at his Tempe mill. Hayden offers handcrafted polenta, cornbread mix, farro flour and several varieties of heritage flour that is minimally processed and full of flavor.
Details:haydenflourmills.com."
As a side note … I was recently in AJ's Fine Foods, and noticed that they have little markers in their aisles notating which products are made in Arizona. This can be most helpful when putting together a gift basket with a variety of Arizona's finest. AJ's carries some of the products mentioned in this article, plus many others as well. Happy gifting!
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