New & Notable: Summer 2021

Summer Refreshment

De La Calle Tepache

What is tepache? Tepache is a cultured beverage made from pineapples, sweetened with sugar and cinnamon. A Mexican culinary tradition, it is served chilled by street vendors. When Grocery Manager, Wayne, and I had our first taste of De La Calle’s canned version, we were hooked! Made from certified organic pineapples, it is sweet, tangy, and a little spicy.

Similar to kombucha, it is full of naturally occurring probiotics, so it’s good for your tummy, too! Three flavors available in our beverage cooler: Tradicional Pineapple, Tamarind Citrus, and Mango Chili. 12 oz.

ShenZen Lemongrass Kombucha

Made in Seattle by James Chang, Biogeochemist and Master Brewer. He's been doing farmers’ markets in the area for 5-6 years and recently partnered with the Puget Sound Food Hub, making it easy for our Co-op to get it to you!

What makes this “booch” so special? Unlike other kombucha, it is brewed with lemongrass tea, resulting in a super-smooth, refreshing sparkly beverage that is caffeine-free. We are carrying his three most popular flavors: Original Lemongrass, Raspberry, and Ginger. 16 oz. In the beverage cooler.

New Flavors from LaCroix!

We know there are a lot of LaCroix fans out there, so we are bringing in a few more flavors to fulfill your summer hydration needs. Limoncello and Watermelon are now available in 12 packs in our beverage aisle.

Summer Saucy

Tan Tan Vietnamese Sauces

Family-owned and operated, the Tan Tan Café is a popular Vietnamese restaurant in the Portland area. Tan Tan translates to “new beginnings” and refers to the family’s immigration story from Vietnam to the U.S. in the mid-1970s after the fall of Saigon. (Their story is very touching, a reminder of the hardship and resilience that is part of the larger American story.

After years of selling their sauces in to-go containers from the restaurant, in 2017 they started packaging and selling online and to a few specialty retailers in Oregon. We are very pleased to be able to offer their Hoisin, Chili Sauce, and Peanut Sauce to you. Vegan, gluten-free and very delicious! Located on Aisle 6.

Funky’s Hot Sauce Factory

Matt (aka Funky) has been developing his hot sauce recipes since 2006. In 2019 he made the leap to starting his own business and joined our Co-op this spring.

Made in Bellingham using organic peppers, Matt offers three flavor profiles with three levels of heat: Terra Luna is medium hot and features green chilies and garlic, Liquid Sunshine is considered “hot” with habaneros, and Stellar Fuzz is the hottest, made with habanero peppers, garlic and ginger.

Stellar Fuzz is my favorite…I have a bottle at work and at home! Look for Funky’s on Aisle 6 and on top of our cheese case. 5 oz.

Bachan’s Japanese BBQ Sauce

I was raised in a military family and we lived all over the Pacific before landing in Washington. My memories of living in Japan, Hawaii, and California are filled with the smells of grilling meat and the savory flavors of soy sauce and garlic combined with something sweet.

My mom wasn’t an adventurous cook, so I was particularly enraptured by the food of other people’s families. My friends’ mothers were wonderful cooks (in my child’s mind, anyway), and the food trucks that came through our neighborhood in Iwakuni were a highly anticipated treat.

Living in California, I was so, so, so terribly envious of the teriyaki chicken being grilled over charcoal by the families around us at the beach! For me, Bachan’s BBQ sauce is that flavor. Family-owned and made in California, Bachan’s won a Sofi Award this year. Vegan and gluten-free. Look for it on Aisle 6.

Summer Beauty

Wild Man Men’s Care

Small-batch produced in Grants Pass, Oregon, and packaged in glass, these skin and beard care basics are woodsy, herbal, and very appealing! Their Botanical Liquid Shave Soap is concentrated and requires only a few drops to suds up.

The After Shave is fresh and bright with the scents of cedar and citrus. Tiny jars of Beard Cream and Beard Wax share this delightful scent. Located in the men’s care section of our Wellness Department.

Three Sisters Apothecary

The three sisters who own and operate this company are actually two sisters and a daughter. The visual of a witch’s cauldron on the package is a clever play on the mythology of the three fates, the historical role of women as healers, and a nod to the three women’s use of traditional soap making techniques dating back to 7th century Europe.

Makers of Bar Soaps, Solid Bar Conditioners, Body Butter, Bath Salts and Lip Balm, everything is packaged without plastic. Their mouth-watering scents might create the urge to just take a little nibble out of a bar of soap, but please, don’t do that! Scents (not flavors!) include Mission Fig Honey, Rose Coconut Milk, and Mexican Lime Cilantro.

Pepper Pot Polish

Woman-owned and mixed in small batches in Tacoma, Washington, Pepper Pot Polish is free of the 5 toxic ingredients used in most nail polishes! Unique and bold colors with names that will make you grin. Cats + Feminism 4Ever is gold and rosy pink glitter polish. Bela Lugosi is a high gloss red/black polish. Super Senior is one of their top-sellers; a rich, deep tawny port red for those with the maturity and confidence for an audacious color.

My test of the polish (Feminist Meownifesto: red and silver glitter in a plum base) revealed that it dried fast, but you’ll need 3 coats for saturated color coverage. More importantly, it held up well to the 3 hours of yard work I did the day after I applied it! You’ll find these all these self-care essentials in the Wellness Department. Cheers!