berkeley eats at home: four locally-made provisions - july 2026
a series spotlighting four local products we were tempted to try – and would buy again.
have a local product suggestion? please let us know.
local product: showoff salsa macha
what to expect: luxe, dense with flavor and crunch, and layered with soft heat, we spooned this handmade, olive oil-based salsa macha on just about every component of a recent picnic. the honey pecan salsa macha is rich with olive oil, chopped pecans, pumpkin and sesame seeds, with licks of honey and sea salt and an afterburn fueled by guajillo chile and chile de arbol that leaves lips pleasantly tingling. it goes nicely with anything eaten in the sunshine, and punches up snacky fare such as cheeses and fruit. showoff's classic peanut salsa macha is the spiciest flavor; cherry pistache the smokiest.
where to buy: specialty shops, including berkeley's april rose provisions and of all places, or direct from the website.
local hq: woman-owned showoff salsa macha is made in oakland.
local product: brightleaf sparkling tea
what to expect: we're going to sound like an ad, but as tea lovers, we mean it – brightleaf organic earl grey sparkling tea is beautifully brewed, refreshingly effervescent and deliciously unsweetened and mellow. as a natural, rejuvenating drink, it's lovely. brightleaf's healthful, lightly-sparkling teas are meant, as with hot tea, to soothe, revive or both – we're eyeing the chamomile lavender and new white peach flavors next.
where to buy: we picked ours up at berkeley bowl west, but you can also find brightleaf tea at local whole foods, the natural grocery company, piedmont grocery and other stores.
local hq: brightleaf was founded in berkeley and is produced in oakland. (the earl grey sparkling tea also just won a 2026 good food award.)
local product: hobbs' applewood smoked bacon
what to expect: hobbs' applewood smoked bacon fries up to a toothsome, meaty, unmatched, classic crisp that is not too salty, not too sweet. full disclosure – for quality and flavor, hobbs' has been our family's favorite bacon for almost two decades, even before we learned the company's remarkable local story. as murmured once to us by a knowing berkeley bowl west cashier, 'this is really, really good bacon.'
where to buy: we pick up a packet any time we're at berkeley bowl west or the monterey market. (it's also the bacon in ok's deli blts.)
local hq: hobbs' applewood smoked meats operates out of napa and richmond.
local product: alameda soda co. craft soda
what to expect: we had our first alameda craft soda by accident when we asked for a basic coke at faction brewing on a chilly fourth of july evening, and was served alameda soda co. hangar 25 craft cola instead. the soda had a rich, smooth caramel color and bubbly, bite-free cane sugar sweetness – a total nostalgic treat, and for us a literal fog-lifter. we'd like to try more flavors – golden gate orange, cable car lemon lime, old fountain cream soda, and they also have lost island ginger beer and oaktown root beer.
where to buy: alameda soda co. craft soda is available both in cans and at soda fountains in venues across alameda. we have also found it via the soda gun at factory bar in richmond, among other in-the-know bay area bars and restaurants. cans are available for direct purchase, including in variety packs, via the company's website. (if anyone spots cans for purchase in shops outside of alameda, please let us know, we're on the lookout.)
local hq: you guessed it, alameda.
july 18, 2026 (more pantry goods and provisions, tips welcome)