I was in California visiting family for a bit. When I got back, I promptly got a cold. Isn’t that always the way? It’s funny to go back to California; it is not my home anymore. And it finally has stopped feeling home– at least my home anyways. But I lived there for so long that it definitely doesn’t not feel like home. Dizzying, I know.
Because of this almost-home feeling, there is no pressure to do things, see stuff, wake up early and hit the tourist destinations. But I came back to Connecticut with California booty just the same. They weren’t snow globes with the Golden Gate Bridge in them, or a UC Berkeley hoodie, they were even better. Here is what California means to me in food.
Blue Bottle Coffee- The single-best roaster that I have found. They used to hand-deliver beans to our apartment in Berkeley every week. That was before they got super popular. Delicious, soulful, rich, I bring back beans every time I visit my parents. I know I could get them shipped, but it wouldn’t be the same.
Citrus fruit- Cara Cara oranges, they’re mild and sweet, with less acid than Navels. A few of these were squirrelled away in my suitcase next to some beautiful, soft-skinned Meyer lemons. I didn’t even have to buy the lemons. They were given to my mom by a neighbor who has a tree. Now that’s local!
Okra snacks- Fried okra treats, from Berkeley Bowl, one of my favorite markets. I went there four times this trip, I was in CA for nine days. Need I say more?
See’s chocolates- The chocolate of my childhood. Hell, this would be the chocolate of my adulthood too, if I still lived on the west coast. You can take your Godiva any day, I will gladly take a morsel of See’s. Just the right amount of milk, softly sweet, indulgent buttercream. I may just have to break into box number two when I finish this post.
Some people bring back trinkets from their vacations, I bring back food. While I may not have a memento to remember this trip by, I certainly will have a happy belly.
I'm sure you do this, but you know you can hand pack your boxes at See's, right? They'll put whatever you want in there (i.e. milk chocolate, no nuts for my best friend; dark chocolate, no caramels, no cherries, lots of bordeaux for my mom). Just a tip!
I'm sure you do this, but you know you can hand pack your boxes at See's, right? They'll put whatever you want in there (i.e. milk chocolate, no nuts for my best friend; dark chocolate, no caramels, no cherries, lots of bordeaux for my mom). Just a tip!
I'm sure you do this, but you know you can hand pack your boxes at See's, right? They'll put whatever you want in there (i.e. milk chocolate, no nuts for my best friend; dark chocolate, no caramels, no cherries, lots of bordeaux for my mom). Just a tip!
I'm sure you do this, but you know you can hand pack your boxes at See's, right? They'll put whatever you want in there (i.e. milk chocolate, no nuts for my best friend; dark chocolate, no caramels, no cherries, lots of bordeaux for my mom). Just a tip!
I'm sure you do this, but you know you can hand pack your boxes at See's, right? They'll put whatever you want in there (i.e. milk chocolate, no nuts for my best friend; dark chocolate, no caramels, no cherries, lots of bordeaux for my mom). Just a tip!
Welcome back!
Welcome back!
Welcome back!
Welcome back!
Welcome back!
What you said about See's Candy made me think of my Dad. Every year for Christmas, he would give me a box of See's truffles. It was always one of the first presents I opened on Christmas morning. Since his death, I can't eat See's truffles. Someone will give me a box and I will let my husband eat it all.
What you said about See's Candy made me think of my Dad. Every year for Christmas, he would give me a box of See's truffles. It was always one of the first presents I opened on Christmas morning. Since his death, I can't eat See's truffles. Someone will give me a box and I will let my husband eat it all.
What you said about See's Candy made me think of my Dad. Every year for Christmas, he would give me a box of See's truffles. It was always one of the first presents I opened on Christmas morning. Since his death, I can't eat See's truffles. Someone will give me a box and I will let my husband eat it all.
What you said about See's Candy made me think of my Dad. Every year for Christmas, he would give me a box of See's truffles. It was always one of the first presents I opened on Christmas morning. Since his death, I can't eat See's truffles. Someone will give me a box and I will let my husband eat it all.
What you said about See's Candy made me think of my Dad. Every year for Christmas, he would give me a box of See's truffles. It was always one of the first presents I opened on Christmas morning. Since his death, I can't eat See's truffles. Someone will give me a box and I will let my husband eat it all.
Hi,
You can order See's Candy. My CA brother used to send Mom a box and we were so happy to see them. As you said our candy of childhood, too.
Hi,
You can order See's Candy. My CA brother used to send Mom a box and we were so happy to see them. As you said our candy of childhood, too.
Hi,
You can order See's Candy. My CA brother used to send Mom a box and we were so happy to see them. As you said our candy of childhood, too.
Hi,
You can order See's Candy. My CA brother used to send Mom a box and we were so happy to see them. As you said our candy of childhood, too.
Hi,
You can order See's Candy. My CA brother used to send Mom a box and we were so happy to see them. As you said our candy of childhood, too.
nice post!!!!!!
nice post!!!!!!
nice post!!!!!!
nice post!!!!!!
nice post!!!!!!
Im with you on the SEE’s candy. They do “something” that is just so perfect . . . . .so seriously addictive – it makes me wonder if it is even legal!