Made-in-Arkansas Holiday Gift Guide
Arkansas may be known for its hot springs, but the state could boast quite a bit about their agriculture industry too. They’re the No. 1 producer of rice in the entire country, but they also grow major soybean, corn, wheat and grain crops. The state is home to a surprising number of culinary artisans and entrepreneurs, too. So if you’re in need of something with a little extra Arkansas flare this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place. Check out our Arkansas gift guide full of locally made items for everyone on your list this year.
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1. Craft Chocolate from Markham & Fitz
Few would turn down their nose at craft chocolate. And if they’ve ever tasted a product from Markham & Fitz, they’ll be eager to rip open the packaging and sneak a bite of these decadent treats. While you could easily pick among their list of available online products, we recommend the Ooh La Lavender bar, a dark chocolate bar made with Patagonia honey and lavender that was so tantalizing it won the Good Food Award.
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2. Purple Rice from Ralston Family Farms
You can hardly celebrate everything Arkansas has to offer without a nod to their rice industry. But why settle for ordinary rice when you can purchase whole-grain, aromatic purple rice from Ralston Family Farms? The rich and vibrant purple color stems from a plant compound called anthocyanin, which is also prevalent in blueberries. Another bonus? This particular rice contains more antioxidants than your run-of-the-mill whole-grain brown rice.
See more: Rice is Ingrained in Arkansas History
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3. Rock Creek Candles
Candles are practically a necessity when winter rolls around, so why not consider gifting your loved ones these beautiful soy candles made in Arkansas? The family-owned and -operated business based in Russellville chose soy candles to honor the legacy of growing soybeans in their home state. As far as scents go, they have everything from dessert and coffee to masculine and romantic options. You could even go extra ag-happy and purchase their tomato vine, tobacco apple or muscadine scents.
See more: Snacking on Soy: Arkansas Grows Edamame Commercially
Goat’s Milk Shea Butter from Milk and Pail
Goat’s milk is good for much more than making cheese. It’s actually a popular ingredient in body soaps and lotions. If you have a few friends or family members on your gift list in need of some serious pampering, take some time to peruse the offerings at Milk & Pail. Handmade in Hindsville, Arkansas, they offer a wide variety of scents and some seriously beautiful aesthetics. The succulent might just be our favorite to look at, but they’re all a sure-fire way to make your gift recipient smile.
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Cocktail Syrups from Pink House Alchemy
Sure, you could make your own cocktail syrup at home. But why do that when you could support the team at Pink House Alchemy and enjoy the myriad of options and choices they offer their customers? Dark cherry grenadine, blackberry sage, Mexican chile and sarsaparilla are just a few of the unique and delicious blends available in their online shop. You could even take things a step further and purchase an entire cocktail kit.
Fleur de Sel Pecan Toffee from Lambrecht Gourmet
Fleur de sel translates to “flower of salt,” which is a beautiful way to describe its light and delicate flavor. Some varieties of this niche ingredient can run as much as 200 times the price of ordinary table salt. So you can probably imagine just how decadent and mouthwatering the fleur de sel pecan toffees are from Lambrecht Gourmet. Made with toasted pecans, sugar, butter, dark chocolate and this unique salt, these delicious treats would make for a great holiday gift for anyone on your list.
See more: What’s In Season? Arkansas Produce Calendar
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My Brother’s Salsa
The salsas at My Brother’s Salsa aren’t your average grocery store salsas. You might be familiar with Hatch green chilies, but have you ever tried pineapple sweet Thai chile, black bean chimayó chile or cranberry orange? They even have a cucumber tomato blend for those who want something that tastes extra fresh. You could purchase just about any of the salsas from their product line and keep coming back for more.
Mountain Bird Tea and Coffee
Mountain Bird Tea and Coffee is your one-stop-shop for all things caffeine (and caffeine-free) in Holiday Island, Arkansas. From your classic Guatemalan and Ethiopian blends to Mama Mina (with flavor notes of green apple, baker’s chocolate, red wine grapes and tree nuts) and Dang Good Decaf (a full-bodied, fruity medium roast), you can find a blend for any coffee lover on your list. They even offer a variety of espresso flavors for those who prefer their morning cup a little stronger.