10 new Valley-made foods you have to try

Want an inside scoop on the yummy new foods being made in the Valley?

We’ve got it for you.

From locally made dark chocolate with coffee in it to clementine olive oil, 33 new products made their debut last week at a preview event for the Fresno Food Expo.

As food reporters we tasted as many foods as we could and picked 10 favorites. The foods are either incredibly delicious or a new twist on something familiar.

Many are already on store shelves or available online. You may have to do a little hunting because the products are new and food makers are still marketing them to stores.

All the foods will also be available to taste during Expolicious, the public portion of the Fresno Food Expo from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, July 28. The $50 tickets can be purchased online or at the Convention Center box office. They usually sell out, so get them quick.

All the new products are in the running for awards, either the Buyer’s Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award. The public can vote for its favorites at the Food Expo’s web page or Facebook page.

Here’s what we think you should try.

Crazy Go Nuts walnut butters

Where it’s made: At several places in California. The company is gearing up to start its own production facility in Fowler.

Where you can buy it: CrazyGoNutsWalnuts.com or the Poindexter Nut Co. & Country Store, 5414 E. Floral Ave. in Selma.

What makes it interesting: The oatmeal cookie butter and the spicy Buffalo flavors are especially delicious out of the seven flavors the company makes. The spreads can be added to toast or pancakes, baked into muffins or used as frosting on a cupcake. The butters have lots of omega-3s and antioxidants and less fat than traditional peanut butter. The company has partnered with Selma-based Poindexter Nuts.

Homegrown Organic Farms freeze-dried organic fruit

Where it’s made: The company is based in Porterville and contracts with a Central Valley processor for freeze drying.

Where you can buy it: Sprouts Farmers Market stores.

What makes it interesting: The organic freeze-dried fruit is unlike any dried fruit you’ve tasted. The grapes, apples and blueberries have a distinct crunch and lots of flavor – especially the grapes. Homegrown Organic Farms expects them to be a hit with kids.

Misculio olive and sundried tomato spread by Evono

Where it’s made: Sanger

Where you can buy it: The Vineyard Farmers Market at Blackstone and Shaw avenues on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

What makes it interesting: The spread is made from black olives, Traina Foods sundried tomatoes, Bari olive oil and Pappy’s Seasonings – all of which are local. It can used as a spread, to stuff meat or veggies or make a vegan meatball by wrapping it around goat cheese.

“Misculio” is a tweaking of the Italian word for concoction.

Cans of Tioga-Sequoia’s 99 Golden Ale

Where it’s made: Most of Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co.’s beer is made in its downtown Fresno brewery. But since it doesn’t have expensive canning equipment, it turned to Temblor Brewing in Bakersfield to brew and can the beer using Tioga-Sequoia’s recipe.

Where you can buy it: Save Mart, BevMo!, Whole Foods and the brewery at 745 Fulton St., Fresno.

What makes it interesting: This is the first time Tioga-Sequoia has sold beer in a can, which they say lasts longer and stays fresher. It’s also not the same 99 ale you may be familiar with. They tweaked the recipe to make the beer lighter and less bitter.

Enzo Organic Clementine Crush olive oil

Where it’s made: Madera

Where you can buy it: Enzo’s Table, their store at 1959 N Willow Ave. in Clovis or online.

What makes it interesting: The clementines – rind and all – get get crushed along with the olives, which makes the olive oil’s orangey flavor stand out. The oil was a Specialty Food Association or Sofi award finalist.

It can be used in salad dressing, on chicken, fish or pork, or even drizzled over vanilla ice cream.

Bird Street Brewing Three Hours From Nowhere blonde ale

Where is it made: Lemoore

Where you can buy it: Maroa Shell, 902 E. Shields Ave. Fresno. Best Buy Market, 1135 W. Bush, Lemoore.

What makes it interesting: Three Hours from Nowhere is a blonde ale, flavored with a hint of strawberries. The ale comes in a 22-fluid ounce bottle and is perfect for summer barbecues or hanging out by the pool. It’s crisp, refreshing and has just enough strawberry flavor to make it unique. Alcohol by volume is 6 percent.

Cabron Hot Sauce Original and Lima hot sauce

Where is it made: Parlier

Where you can buy it: Fresno Ag Hardware, 4590 N First St, Fresno.

What makes it interesting: It’s hot, but in a good way. Smooth and flavorful, this dark red sauce doesn’t overpower your taste buds. Instead, it allows you to taste your food while giving your mouth a satisfying dose of heat. But beware, the heat lingers, so go easy.

Molucca Chocolate Inclusion Craft Chocolate Bars

Where is it made: Fresno

Where you can buy it: The Inclusion Craft Chocolate Bars will soon be available. Check the company’s website for locations, www.moluccachocolate.com.

What makes it interesting: Molucca’s handcrafted dark chocolate bars are best when they are savored. This isn’t the kind of chocolate you want to consume quickly. And the new inclusion bars are no different. The pink Himalayan salt and nibs bar is best enjoyed slowly. Let it melt in your mouth for a satisfying mix of sweet and saltiness. The coffee and coconut chocolate bar is a rich combination that gives the dark chocolate added depth and flavor.

Riley’s Brewing Handcrafted spiced ales and Catching Up IPA

Where is it made: Madera

Where you can buy it: Vons, Save Mart Supermarkets, Costco, BevMo

What makes it interesting: The handcrafted spiced ales are easy drinking and loaded with flavor. Riley’s makes ginger, root beer, vanilla cream, and orange cream with an alcohol by volume of 5 percent. If you like craft hard sodas, these will be fun to drink. The Vanilla Cream is especially tasty. The brewery’s latest IPA has a great hoppy taste without the bitter finish.

Lanna Coffee Co. Cold Brew Coffee

Where is it made: Fresno

Where you can buy it: Various locations, including Von’s Supermarkets, Ampersand Ice Cream, 1940 N. Echo, Fresno, Mia Cuppa Coffee House, 620 E. Olive Ave. Fresno, and the Fort 9415 Fort Washington Rd., Fresno.

What makes it interesting: Lanna’s cold brew coffee is one smooth tasting drink. On ice or by itself, cold brew coffee is a more mellow version of hot black coffee. The processing removes some of the bitterness, leaving behind a pure, clean coffee taste.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 12:35 PM with the headline "10 new Valley-made foods you have to try."