Locally Made Goodies, Spirits Make Perfect Holiday Gift Ideas
Article by Jan Norris
Photography by Elizabeth Palace
Since you’re already living in Paradise, why not share some of it with Northern friends on your gift list.
We’re not really saying anything about rubbing their noses in the fact that we’re still wearing beach coverups and flip flops while they’re choosing new winter coats. But if the snow boots fit...
There are plenty of local producers, too, who can offer quality goods to satisfy even picky people on your list.
Little known on the coast: Florida is one of the nation’s big beef producers.
If you don’t want to buy and ship fresh meats.
Check out the jerky from the Painted Quarters Ranch in Indiantown. Sold at the Hobe Sound Farmers Market on the weekends, their preservative-free, all-meat jerky is $10 for a 19-ounce package.
Also find here their jarred soup mixes, a variety of local fruit jams and their famous barbecue sauce. Online at Paintedquarterscattlecompany.com
Florida honey is recognized worldwide for its bright flavors and wide variety of flavors. Two excellent names in the bee business, Hani Honey in Fort Pierce, and McCoy’s Florida Honey in Loxahatchee, are sold in numerous shops and markets in the area.
Both produce raw honey from fruits and flowers found in the Sunshine State. While tupelo is the revered pure honey from the North Central area, we’re partial to the slightly herbal gallberry honey from Hani Honey ($12 a pound). McCoy’s offers traditional sweet and citrusy orange blossom honey (it’s $15 a pound because of scarcity). The company’s saw palmetto honey is gathered from the berries of the Everglades plant, and holistic healers say it offers health benefits. Both honeys can be found at the Hobe Sound Farmers Market at the Nova Tea Company booth that sells their own blends, or online: Hanihoneycompany.com, and Mccoysfloridahoney.com.
We’re mad for coffee, and judging by all the roasters and shops in the area, you probably have bean lovers on your list. Get them a bag of Oceana Coffee straight from the original roasting house in Jupiter. Maybe you’ll bump into award-winning beanmaster Scott Angelo, who began his business with a hot air popper in his garage. He’s roasting today on a much bigger scale — and still winning contests. A 12-ounce bag, beans or ground for you, runs $10-$20. Oceana Coffee, 221 N. Old Dixie Highway, Jupiter. (561) 401-2453; online, oceanacoffee.com.
If you’re doing any spirited shopping, the Jupiter Rum Company offers small-batch spiced rum made locally with Florida ingredients. Its flavor is best described as smooth butterscotch. The 1660 Spiced Rum ($35 a bottle) is just right for a Florida toddy with blood orange syrup. Their infusions (mixers) are handcrafted, too. We especially love their beachy gift basket ($120), a perfect representation of Jupiter life. Find their products at Jupiter liquor stores, or Jupiterrumco.com.
Experiences are beginning to outweigh physical gifts, especially for the person who doesn’t need anything. A gift certificate for a wine tasting would fall into that category. Bonus: They’re bound to learn from the fine folks at Wine Proxy in Tequesta. Curated wines and down-to-earth information about them is what’s in store here, plus great bites to match. Club membership for monthly tastings and special bottles is $35. Wine Proxy is at 389 Tequesta Dr., Jupiter Inlet Colony. (561) 972-7095; or follow them on Facebook.
Can’t make it to your favorite market, check out a vast collection of local market items all in one spot, from our partner Bloom Citrus
