Black Sphinx Dates

Sought out by many for the past century, this enigmatic little fruit has a great allure due to its rarity, mysterious origins, wonderful texture, and flavor. These fruits are only grown in one area of New Mexico, primarily the Arcadia neighborhood. It is believed they came from a natural modification of the Halawi palm that was very popular in the area.  Black Sphinx Dates are small mahogany brown fruits that melt in your mouth like honey. They have very soft flesh and skin with “an ornate creaminess, dense as ganache or nut butter.” This texture does not allow them to be transported too far and they have a very short season to be picked. Due to changes in climate and height of these old palms, harvesting has become much more difficult and time-limited!  Our shop had the opportunity to pick up these dates straight from the source and share them with you.

Sunchokes

Sunchokes are a tuberous rhizome of the sunflower helianthus Tuberosus. Sunchoke is a beneficial survival crop grown in North America for centuries.  While they may look similar to ginger root the flavors are something quite different. They are nutty, woodys, sweet, and potato-like. The flavor has been compared to globe artichoke hence its other common name Jerusalem artichoke. With that said Sunchokes have the same versatility and applications as potatoes or other root veggies. Hopefully this unique vegetable finds a place in your kitchen from now on!

Goat Gouda

This semi-soft cheese is ivory colored with a smooth mouthfeel and the slightly grainy texture of an aged cheese.  Goat Gouda has a caramel scent and a slightly nutty and sweet flavor that makes this cheese an ideal choice for your cheese tray or picnic basket or when pairing with your favorite wine or beer.

Cirone

A hard and crumbly raw cow’s milk cheese with an unusually creamy finish, aged up to two years. Rich notes of roasted chicory are supported by a hint of “sharpness” and a caramel sweetness. Cheese finishes with a pleasantly bitter/spicy aftertaste that lingers until your next bite.  Throughout the aging process, the cheese is moved between caves to age in varying environments and atmospheres (including one with cheese mites) in order to enhance the complexity of the matured cheese.  A rare find in the United States, this cheese will impress even the most informed connoisseur.