Big Sur Salts & the Flavors of the Coast

If you’ve ever breathed in the misty air on a Big Sur cliffside, you’ve tasted the "zing" of the Pacific. Most people just call it the ocean breeze, but Carlo Overhulser and his team at Big Sur Salts figured out how to put that specific feeling into a jar.

Legend has it that in 2015, a rogue wave in Big Sur soaked Carlo and left a bit of the ocean behind in a beer bottle he was holding. Instead of just drying off, he took that water home, evaporated it, and realized he was onto something special. Today, the team at Big Sur Salts has figured out how to put that specific coastal feeling into a jar. I used to think salt was just salt, but after learning of Carlo's process, it’s clear they are harvesting the literal DNA of the Monterey coastline.

Partner Spotlight: Qouign Pastries & the Art of Hand-Painted Chocolate

If you’re wandering through the Carmel or Del Monte Farmers Markets and see a crowd hovering over what looks like a jewelry display, you’ve probably found Qouign (pronounced “queen.”)

The force behind the brand is Santana Rodriguez, a Soledad native and resilient "pastry queen" who sharpened her skills in legendary kitchens like Bernardus Lodge and Thomas Keller’s Bouchon before striking out on her own.

Elderberry: One of Monterey Bay’s Favorite Native Treats

Monterey County nurtures an impressive array of native plants, including the delicious elderberry and elderflower. Have you ever sampled this tart berry and delicate edible flower?