Tastemakers: Naturally nutty peanut butter/Divine Vodka

April 27, 2008

Naturally Nutty Peanut Butter

Most new products are a result of someone’s passion to make something better. That was the mission behind Katie Kearney’s developing Naturally Nutty Peanut Butter. A long-time peanut butter fanatic, vegetarian, and a mother of three, Kearney was in search of the “ultimate peanut butter.”
For her, the peanut butter needed to taste “amazing” and have natural and organic ingredients. In particular she was looking for a peanut butter with hemp seed and flax seed because of all the nutritional benefits that both offer (see her website).
When Kearney couldn’t find what she was looking for, she decided to launch her own line of peanut butter in Traverse City. Naturally Nutty peanut butters (yes there is more than one flavor) are created in small batches at a local facility. If you have been eating mass-produced peanut butter, just one taste of Naturally Nutty and you will never go back.
I have sampled three of the six flavors, including the regular peanut butter, and love it in the morning on toasted bread from Pleasanton. For the chocolate lover, the White Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter is a great afternoon pick me up. I put a couple of spoonfuls of the Butter Toffee on top of Moomers chocolate ice cream for dessert. Yes, Naturally Nutty is great for all kids regardless of age.
Naturally Nutty Peanut Butters also make great cookies. Look for it all over Northern Michigan. For additional details check out naturallynutty.com or call Katie at 888-224-9988.



DiVine Vodka

While much of the focus for Michigan Wine Month in April has been around wine, this celebration is equally about grapes. Michigan’s recent rise on the world wine map is no surprise to those who have long known about the state’s agricultural heritage, especially in growing world-class fruits.
Most of Michigan grapes are used for fruit juices (Michigan ranks fourth in the country in grape production with 80% used for juices and jams) and now Michigan grapes are being used for vodka.
When Chicago entrepreneur Dave Otis wanted to make his own ultra-premium vodka, he heard about a formula that called for grapes. He started researching the process in 2001 and headed out west where he visited over 100 wineries from Washington to California. At most places he was literally verbally abused or physically removed for suggesting that grapes be used for vodka. It wasn’t until he visited the Moersch family at the Round Barn Winery near Baroda (southwest corner of Michigan) that Otis finally found a winemaker who shared his vision. In partnership with the Moersch family, Otis launched DiVine Vodka in 2006 -- only the fourth vodka in the world made from grapes.
DiVine Vodka is the only vodka in the world that grows its ingredients, distills it and bottles it all at the same location. For vodka lovers, this is a must-try because it is very much like a fine wine, since it doesn’t burn on the palate and is very smooth going down. Because it is made from grapes it has just a slight hint of sweetness and is great chilled, on the rocks or in your favorite vodka recipe.
Try a DiVine Vineyard Martini: in a martini shaker add one ounce of DiVine Vodka, one ounce of your favorite chardonnay (make it Michigan), a splash of Peach Schnapps, shake over crushed ice and strain into a well-chilled martini glass; add a few frozen champagne grapes and top with a couple splashes of Seven-Up. Ask for DiVine Vodka when dining out or at your favorite beverage store. Additional details at divinevodka.com