Eleven Essential California Pantry Staples
Tupac said it best: Cali is where they put the mack down. Blessed with year-round bounty, this agricultural mecca is home to some of the finest artisan purveyors in the country.
Fortunately, anyone can get in on the action—these West Coast sundries are just a few clicks away. Soon, you'll be a veritable west side playa (or, in the very least, you'll cook like one).
Sqirl, L.A.
Liberty Raspberry & Tahitian Vanilla Bean Jam ($13)
Before Sqirl was a lifestyle, it was a jam company. Still is, in fact. Jessica Koslow's pitch-perfect jam is studded with fresh berries. Your California Avocado toast awaits and ask about the other avocado specials.
Craftsman and Wolves, San Francisco
Damn Fine Granola ($8)
Only a chef with serious skill can add curry to granola and make it taste good. Also, cornflakes and cacao nibs. Damn fine, indeed.
ILA, Sonoma by Way of New York
Sonoma Sea Salt ($35)
If the packaging doesn't get you, the product will: Naturally harvested by solar evaporation, the crystals impart a subtle crispness to sweets and savories alike.
Cowgirl Creamery, Point Reyes Station
Tomales Bay Collection ($65)
Crowds flock to Cowgirl's Ferry Building outpost for samplings of its excellent cheese. This collection highlights small dairies along the north coast (and includes the best-selling Mt. Tam).
La Nogalera, Santa Barbara
Walnut Oil ($20)
You think you've had walnut oil? You haven't, until you've tasted this one: Buttery and robust, it's the sheer essence of a blend of heritage Santa Barbara walnut varieties.
California Avocados
As if avocado toast hasn't already made it into your daily routine, grab some of the best in-season, California-grown Hass avocados for a satisfying on-the-go snack or mix up a delicious creamy guacamole for your next taco night.
Tangerine Man, Ojai
Ojai Pixie Tangerines ($44)
California's citrus season knows no bounds: Ojai Valley's Churchill Orchard grows seedless, organic, drip-down-your-face-juicy Pixies. They pick and pack to order, so it's as close to a true farmers' market experience as possible.
Rancho Gordo, Napa
Yellow Indian Woman Bean ($5.95)
Rancho Gordo is ubiquitous for West Coast dwellers; their beans edge out all others when it comes to flavor. Everything they grow is good, from traditional black beans to beauties like the Yellow Indian Woman, which you'll love as much for its sturdiness as its golden hue.
Dandelion Chocolate, San Francisco
Ambanja, Madagascar 70% Chocolate ($8)
Tasting individual notes in chocolate requires exquisite beans, so Dandelion visits farms from Africa to the Americas to source theirs. Their small-batch bars have two measly ingredients (cocoa beans and cane sugar), resulting in the fruitiest chocolate imaginable.
Donkey & Goat Winery, Berkeley by Way of the Anderson Valley
2015 Lily's Pét-Nat ($35)
"We make wines for the table, not the cocktail glass..." So begins Donkey & Goat's manifesto. The tiny Cali winery has been producing natural wines since 2004. Their pétillant naturel is a blend of Chardonnay and Roussanne, with no additives in sight. They call it gulpable, and you'll likely agree.
Dates by DaVall, Coachella Valley
Medjool Dates ($15.99)
Coachella is more than just a sweaty music festival venue. It's also land that's fertile as all get-out and rife with date palms from the likes of DaVall. With more than a century of date-growing to its name, DaVall's dates are the best of the best. Their supersoft Medjools fall off the pit and taste like deep caramel.