Rain or shine, Saturday mornings spent with trips to Pike Place Market are characteristically Seattle. Searching for the brightest flower bouquets, catching flung fish, and meandering amid the booths are perks of this novel place. And if you know just where to wander, you’ll find one of my favorite stops in Pike: Chukar Cherries. Capturing bold, natural flavors of the Pacific Northwest, Chukar Cherries has offered a unique take on artisan chocolate for three decades now.
While favorites like Classic Dark Cherries, Truffle Cherries, and Cabernet Cherries have satisfied consumers’ sweet cravings over the years, I chatted with Teddie Mucha, Marketing Specialist, to learn more about the company’s venture into organics with its new line.
“All of our products are hand made in Prosser, Washington,” Teddie tells me. “We use locally sourced cherries, berries, and nuts to create one-of-a-kind artisan chocolates. We create everything here in small batches to ensure product freshness. Because of this Chukar offers products that are made within weeks of shipping and display, often less. Chukar’s Bing and Rainier cherries contain just one simple ingredient: cherries. With our new Certified Organic line, we worked with organic growers in the Yakima Valley to get the finest fruit available to produce a high-quality product.”
Everything we love about the original Chukar Cherries but with a new twist; Chukar Cherries’ Certified Organic line was launched last October and is available online or through retail locations across the nation. The product line boasts a number of unique flavors and package combinations. For chocolate lovers new flavors include: Vanilla Chocolate Rainiers, Orange Chocolate Tarts, and Chipotle Cherries. Also in the new line are naturally dried Rainier and Tart cherries with no sugar added. These Certified Organic products meet the highest standards for organic certifications and highlight the natural variety of cherry flavors found Washington state.
“Chukar Cherries began in the 1980’s, after our Founder and CEO, Pam Montgomery, pioneered dehydrating Northwest cherries without additives. The company was launched on the family farm with one goal in mind: to be consumers’ go-to source for extraordinary Pacific Northwest foods and gifts crafted from locally grown cherries and berries. We’re now celebrating thirty years of high-quality artisan chocolate, creative confections, fruit preserves, energy mixes, pantry specialties, and more from our Chukar Kitchen, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
And that’s not all! Teddie also reveals the company launched limited-edition Heritage Cherry Pies in the month of November 2017. Made from scratch in the Chukar Kitchen, the Heritage Cherry Pies are all-natural with a delicious flaky crust and loads of dark sweet and red sour cherries, sourced locally of course. Is anyone else’s mouth watering?
A trip to Seattle doesn’t have to be in your future to enjoy Chukar Cherries products! Visit chukar.com to browse the complete collection and to get a taste of Washington delivered right to your door. For more on what’s new and improved in deli, dairy, and bakery, stay up-to-date with Deli Market News.
