The Pacific Northwest is known for many things, beautiful landscapes, local agriculture, and a strong community of makers who are passionate about what they create. From the small family farms to nationally recognized brands, the Northwest is home to some truly incredible food products. While there are plenty of options to choose from, a few stand out not only for their quality but also for the stories behind them. These local food brands have earned a loyal followings across the country, and represent the creativity, dedication, and flavor that make the Northwest such a special place. Here are a few of our favorite Northwest food products that deserve a spot in your kitchen.
Ellenos Yogurt
Ellenos Yogurt was first introduced to Seattle in 2013. What started as a father-son duo in Australia eventually turned into one of the most well-known yogurt brands in the Pacific Northwest. Ellenos offers an ultra-rich, creamy texture made with milk from cows not treated with rBST, fruit purées made in-house, and no artificial ingredients.
Since 2013, Ellenos has been featured in People Magazine, Allrecipes, and Food & Wine. In People’s “Best New Dairy Products” feature, the publication praised their S’mores Greek Yogurt, saying, “The combo of toasted marshmallows, chocolate purée, graham crackers, chocolate chips and Greek yogurt had testers calling it ‘a feel-good’ dessert. ‘My kids ate it up like cake.’”
My favorite flavor has to be Raspberry Crème. The creaminess and flavor profile are simply unmatched. It reminds me of a raspberry cheesecake, rich and creamy with just the right amount of tart raspberry flavor. One thing I especially love about Ellenos is their mix-ins, which add a whole new element to both the flavor and experience. Personally, I think their Strawberry Shortcake and the coconut cream are the best mix-in flavors. It tastes just like a classic strawberry shortcake dessert and somehow manages to feel both indulgent and refreshing at the same time. The coconut cream is absolutely unreal! It tastes just like coconut cream pie and is absolutely to die for!
Kaiger Dressing
Kaiger is based in Pacific County, Washington, and is known for providing bold flavor profiles, all-natural ingredients, and gluten-free alternatives for salads, chicken dishes, marinades, drinks and more. What started as Fosse Farms eventually evolved into Kaiger, a rebrand that was both intentional and personal.
Owner Katie Adkins was in college when she began experiencing health concerns that forced her to completely change her diet, shifting toward a more gluten-free lifestyle. When she learned that Fosse Farms would be closing in her hometown, she made the decision to carry on the vision through a rebrand to Kaiger. Since then, Katie has been creating house-made dressings, shrubs, and marinades using simple, natural ingredients.
Kaiger was kind enough to send the Trending Northwest team one of their dressings and two of their shrubs to try. We received the Raspberry shrub, Lavender Lemon shrub, and their Extra Garlic Dressing & Marinade. Using the shrubs, we created some delicious mocktails and cocktails. Watch our video here.
We tested the Garlic Herb Dressing in several different ways, including on salads and chicken dishes, but my favorite combination was a simple drizzle over a burger bowl. It added so much flavor while still feeling light and versatile. The bold garlic paired perfectly with the subtle tanginess from the vinegar base, creating a dressing that elevated every bite without overpowering the dish. Kaiger is truly building something unique here in the PNW and we were honored to witness the growth of an amazing owner.
Cyrus Farms
Cyrus Farms has one of the most unique stories on this list. This family-run business started with a simple desire for more. Husband and wife duo Darush and Nicole were both working traditional jobs when they decided they wanted to build something of their own. That decision led them to start a saffron farm in Chelan, Washington.
In 2014, the couple made the bold decision to completely shift their focus to saffron farming. They established their company and named it after their son, Cyrus. What started as a small family venture has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most recognized saffron farms. After more than a decade of farming, harvesting, and processing saffron on their family farm, Cyrus Farms can now be found in businesses around Puget Sound, including The Herb Farm, Lola, Pike Place Market, and The Pink Door.
Cyrus Saffron started with one idea: to grow the world’s most valuable spice using pure American farming. For more than ten years, the family has cultivated saffron crocus flowers in Washington’s ideal climate, taking advantage of mineral-rich soil, clean mountain water, and cold winters that help strengthen the bulbs. What began as a small experiment has grown into a thriving local farm supplying premium saffron to home cooks, chefs, and markets across the country.
They offer a variety of products for their customers, including their traditional saffron, 24K Gold Saffron, and even Saffron Sea Salt. Whether you’re looking to elevate a home-cooked meal or experiment with new flavors, Cyrus Farms offers several unique ways to incorporate saffron into your cooking. Even better, their saffron is 100% organic, staying true to the farm’s commitment to quality and sustainable growing practices.
Spiceology
Founded in Spokane, Washington, in 2013, Spiceology has grown into one of the fastest-growing spice companies in the world. The company has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list for six consecutive years and continues to redefine what spices and seasonings can be for both professional chefs and home cooks. Spiceology was founded by executive chef Pete Taylor and food blogger Heather Scholten, who saw a stale spice and seasoning market Their goal was simple: give chefs and home cooks easier access to unique ingredients and creative blends that could bring an extra dose of magic to everyday cooking. It was their Smoky Honey Habanero seasoning that first put them on the map, and since then they have continued to develop innovative blends using premium, natural ingredients with no artificial additives. Today, Spiceology offers everything from classic seasonings to chef-inspired collaborations and specialty blends.
My husband and I absolutely love Spiceology’s seasonings, we’re borderline obsessed. My all-time favorite is their Pink Peppercorn Lemon Thyme. It has the perfect balance of bright citrus and peppery flavor, and somehow makes just about everything taste better and it truly goes with everything. That said, they recently released two new Brown Butter blends, and I have a feeling I’m going to be equally obsessed with those flavors too. If they’re anything like the rest of Spiceology’s lineup, they’ll earn a permanent spot in our spice cabinet.
Jacobsen Salt
“Bringing the Oregon Coast to your kitchen” is more than just a slogan for Jacobsen Salt Co. it’s exactly what they’ve been doing since 2011. Founded by Ben Jacobsen, the company harvests salt from the waters of Netarts Bay on the Oregon Coast, creating a bright and crunchy salt that reflects both the bay itself and their salt-making process.
Before settling on Netarts Bay, Ben Jacobsen tested 27 locations along the Washington and Oregon coasts in search of the perfect source. He ultimately landed just south of Tillamook, Oregon, where Jacobsen Salt continues to harvest and produce its signature sea salt today.
One thing I appreciate about Jacobsen Salt is that it’s surprisingly affordable considering the quality. A 2.5-ounce glass jar is around $14-$16, which feels like a great value for a product that is hand-harvested, carefully crafted, and available in a variety of infused flavors.
If you’re looking for flavored salts, Jacobsen offers an impressive selection. My personal favorite, aside from their traditional sea salt, is their Infused Lemon Zest Sea Salt. I use it on chicken when I want a little extra citrus flavor, on roasted vegetables, and even on sweet treats. It adds just the right amount of flavor without overpowering a dish.
I’m also a huge fan of their Flake Sea Salt. Honestly, I put flaky sea salt on just about everything cookies, ice cream, finished dishes, and pretty much anything that could benefit from a little extra texture and flavor. Jacobsen Salt offers a variety of sizes, including 4-ounce, 16-ounce, and 5-pound bags. And for the truly dedicated sea salt lovers, they even offer subscription options so you never have to run out.