Local food tour allows the public to taste it all
If students are looking for something to do that includes food, fun and getting out of the apartment for a few hours, the Cache Valley Food Tour may be a perfect night out on the town. The food tour is a self-guided tour throughout Cache Valley, where visitors are given the opportunity to visit some of the local food businesses and take a taste of the best food products in Cache valley. “Cache Valley Food Tour is a unique opportunity for people to see behind the scenes, some of the famous food products produced here in Cache Valley,” said Julie Hollist, director of Cache Valley Visitors Bureau. When people think of Cache Valley, they may think of cheese. However, Cache Valley is also home to some of the finest coffee houses, honey products and ice cream companies in the state. “There are a lot of products grown here in Cache Valley, and people are interested in how they are made,” Hollist said. The tour includes bread, chocolate, coffee, dairy, fruit and honey businesses in Cache Valley. Cox Honeyland, for example, is a family-owned business where customers can see bees actually making honey. “We have been a part of the food tour for a number of years. In our store, we have a live beehive under glass, which holds a working hive where you can see the bees coming in and out. We have a gourmet food room, a video about bees and interesting bee facts,” said Maleesa Jacobson, an employee of Cox Honeyland. At Cox Honeyland, tourists can discover why Utah is named the Beehive State. They can see workers fill honey jars and view a large tank of honey. Tourists may also enjoy purchasing and tasting the honey products, fresh fudge and caramel apples. Another distinctive business on the tour is Crumb Brothers Artisan Bread. “Our main goal of Crumb Brothers is to provide bread and pastries that you do not find anywhere in Utah,” owner Bill Oblock said. Crumb Brothers makes their bread from natural starters and organic flours, and it uses a hearth oven to bake. “This style of bread has been made for 100 years,” Oblock said. “This is the best way to create this delicious European bread.” Crumb Brothers is locally owned and includes products such as croissants, scones, fruit Danish and quiches. Oblock said, “We have a cinnamon pull-apart that is one of our simplest pastries, but it is very delicious.” And at Caffe Ibis, tourists can try fresh coffee. Caffe Ibis Manager Michelle Nielsen said, “We are a coffee-roasting company. We serve organic food, which is prepared fresh with no additives. We have the most triple-certified coffee in the world.” Caffe Ibis is a 35-year-old award-winning green business, meaning it is actively involved in recycling and composting any waste. “Caffé Ibis also has some of the most healthy food in the valley. We do not use fryers, and none of our products contain trans fats,” Nielsen said. The store has been recognized throughout the world in publications such as The New Yorker, Newsweek, Organic Style and Sunset. “Just recently Sunset did a story on Logan and covered Caffe Ibis in the story. It covered our triple-certified coffee and our display of recycled wine glasses that is in front of our shop.” “We are like a community nook,” Nielson said. “A wide variety people come in all the time. Our shop is very diverse.” The shop also makes hot chocolate and Italian sodas, but Nielsen said, “People come in for our coffee. It is the best out of everything.” Hollist said, “This food tour teaches people the effort that it takes in growing food products. However, it not only provides an educational opportunity but also shows individuals’ passions. This is a unique opportunity. You cannot find it done the way it is done here in Cache Valley.” For more information on the Cache Valley Food Tour, visit Cache Valley Visitors Bureau at 199 N. Main or visit www.tourcachevalley.com. -courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu