Guide to the San Juans
What the San Juans Taste Like
Take the islands home with some of these locally made pantry items.

Kari’s Island Elixirs Hop Citrus Bitters
- Origin: San Juan Island
- Tastes like: An intense blend of bitter herbs, balanced by sweet honey from Kari’s own bees and sold at San Juan Island Distillery. A few drops liven sparkling water or a cocktail.
- Locally Found: Sugar Pill Apothecary, 900 E Pine St, Capitol Hill, 206-322-7455; sugarpillseattle.com sanjuanislanddistillery.com
Girl Meets Dirt Orcas Pear With Fresh Bay Preserves
- Origin: Orcas Island
- Tastes like: The tang of a pear variety discovered on Orcas plus a hint of spice from bay leaves grown in the garden of Audra Lawlor girlmeetsdirt.com
Pelindaba Lavender Honey
- Origin: San Juan Island
- Tastes like: Clover honey with a floral kick, thanks to lavender infusion and sprig of Provence lavender flower in the jar.
- Locally Found: Various Pelindaba products at Wild Rose’s Antiques and Gifts, 4529 California Ave SW, West Seattle, 206-935-2780; pelindabalavender.com
Lopez Larry’s Smokey Chardonnay Mustard Sauce
- Origin: Lopez Island
- Tastes like: Less bite than a Dijon, and smokier too, with just a hint of wine. Locals like to slather it on salmon and add dill before grilling it. rexvillegrocery.com
Chicaoji Hot Sauce
- Origin: Lopez Island
- Tastes like: The burn of alder-smoked chipotle chilies plus bitter cacao and tart goji berries; a more complex hot sauce for eggs, meats, or a real pick-me-up breakfast
- Locally Found: DeLaurenti Specialty Food and Wine, 1435 First Ave, Downtown, 206-622-0141; delaurenti.com; chicaoji.com