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Spanish15 Must-Try Flavors from Pike Place Market to Add to Your Holiday Table
This holiday season, explore the abundance of Pike Place Market, where each vendor brings unique flavors and stories to share. From festive cheesecakes to exotic spices, these Market offerings add richness to your holiday meals and make memorable gifts. Here’s a guide to the top seasonal flavors and specialties waiting to be discovered at Pike Place Market.
1. Lion’s Mane & Blue Oyster Jerky
Black Forest Mushrooms
A newcomer in 2024, Black Forest Mushrooms combines sustainability and culinary curiosity with offerings that celebrate the beauty of Pacific NW fungi. Their Lion’s Mane and Blue Oyster Jerky brings rich, umami flavors with a meaty texture—perfect for holiday platters or as a gift for food enthusiasts. Or, try a Countertop Grow Kit, which allows you to cultivate your own mushrooms at home.
2. USA-Grown Organic Saffron
Cyrus Saffron
Founded in 2017, Cyrus Saffron is a family-owned, minority, and women-led business that proudly grows organic saffron in Chelan, Washington. Saffron’s warm, aromatic notes enhance everything from stews to desserts, adding a luxurious touch to holiday meals. As the only organic saffron growers in the U.S., they bring authenticity and quality to this cherished spice, perfect for holiday cooking.
3. Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake
The Confectional
Since 2006, The Confectional has been spreading dessert joy from its cozy space at Pike Place Market. Known for crafting cheesecakes with high-quality ingredients, each bite is a testament to their passion for baking. This season, indulge in their limited-edition Sweet Potato Pie Cheesecake, made with roasted local sweet potatoes and a touch of spice. It’s a unique twist on a classic holiday flavor, perfect for dessert tables and holiday gifts.
4. Festive Craft Ginger Beverages
Rachel’s Ginger Beer
Rachel’s Ginger Beer is known for its bold, handcrafted ginger beers made from fresh ingredients. Try their seasonal flavors for a spicy, tangy, or sweet beverage that adds a festive flair to your holiday gatherings. These refreshing drinks are perfect on their own or as a base for holiday cocktails like Moscow Mules.
5. Local Honey
AJ’s Family Farm
Known for their wide selection of honey varieties, AJ’s Family Farm offers flavors like blueberry, fireweed, wildflower, and blackberry, each bringing a rich sweet flavor to your table. These honeys are perfect for adding to tea, pairing with cheeses, or giving as a gift. AJ’s Family Farm is a family-owned business based in Bellingham.
6. Fresh Holiday Seafood Platters
City Fish
Established in 1917, City Fish is Seattle’s oldest continuously operated fish market, celebrated for offering fresh, affordable seafood that’s perfect for special occasions. This season, elevate your holiday spread with a seafood platter, featuring selections of smoked salmon, Dungeness crab, and shrimp. For a true Pacific Northwest experience, try their freshly caught Dungeness crab as a show-stopping appetizer or entrée.
7. Specialty Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars
DeLaurenti
As a premier source for gourmet ingredients, DeLaurenti offers imported and local products that add a dash of luxury to any meal. Their selection of premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars make ideal gifts for food lovers or an exquisite finishing touch for holiday dishes.
8. Award-Winning Pepper Jellies
Mick’s Peppourri
Since the early 1980s, Mick’s Peppourri has delighted food lovers with award-winning pepper jellies. Made with fresh ingredients like garlic, ginger, cherry, and cranberry, these jellies add a burst of flavor to seafood, poultry, and even holiday charcuterie boards. A jar of Mick’s Peppourri pepper jelly is the perfect way to spice up your holiday meals.
9. Unique Teas and Spices
MarketSpice
Operating since 1911, MarketSpice is one of Pike Place Market’s longest-standing businesses. Famous for their signature Cinnamon-Orange tea, MarketSpice offers an impressive array of teas and spices that are perfect for the holiday season. From mulling spices to seasonal blends, their products add warmth and flavor to every festive meal.
10. Artisan Cheeses and Customized Platters
The Cheese Box
Owned by longtime Market workers Mara McGowan and Ari Sturtevant, The Cheese Box specializes in artisan and imported cheeses. They create custom cheese platters featuring a selection of unique cheeses, olives, and condiments—ideal for holiday gatherings or as a gift for cheese lovers.
11. Specialty Preserves and Chutneys
Woodring Northwest
Woodring Northwest has crafted artisanal preserves, marmalades, chutneys, and pickles since 1985. This family-run business offers delightful preserves, like holiday cranberry chutney, perfect for pairing with cheeses or as a spread to enhance festive flavors.
12. Artisanal Sauces and Spice Rubs
Herban Farm NW
Herban Farm NW, owned by Seattle local Ras Peynado, brings the flavors of his family’s heritage with unique hot sauces, spice rubs, and herbal topicals. Try their Hot Honey Sauce or aromatic spice blends to add some heat to your holiday dishes, or check out their herbal teas and seasonings for a thoughtful gift.
13. Honey Wines and Elderberry Syrup
Hierophant Meadery
Hierophant Meadery, run by Michelle and Jeremy Kyncl, celebrates the ancient art of mead-making with honey wines crafted from sustainably sourced ingredients. Sample their holiday-inspired meads or pick up their elderberry syrup for a healthful addition to your winter pantry.
14. Middle Eastern Spices and Unique Gifts
The Souk
The Souk, located near The First Starbucks, offers exotic spices and gifts from the Middle East and South Asia. Known for their unique blends of curry powders and garam masala, The Souk is your local stop for adding a touch of international flavor to your holiday meals.
15. Pickled Peppers and Vegetables
Bonnie B’s Peppers
Named in honor of the owner’s mother, Bonnie B’s Peppers offers a flavorful selection of pickled peppers and vegetables. Made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and jarred within 24 hours, these delicious pickles are an ideal addition to any holiday appetizer spread.