The new Verdant Tea in Seward (2111 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls., verdanttea.com) offers so much more than hot beverages. Local goodies worth checking out include Real Deal Chocolate’s tea-infused truffles and chocolate bars, Sweet Science ice cream, and Beez Kneez honey. Of course you can always stock up on the seasonal loose-leaf teas Verdant sells, too.
To liven up your movie nights, try the popcorn oils and seasonings from Minnesota Nice Spice and Annona Gourmet. I love the Big Easy Louisi Cajun and Zingy Cheese Zest spices paired with the butter-flavored or garlic olive oils (mnnicespice.com and annonagourmet.com).
Dan Meuers, owner of Citiesfruit, has devised a way to deliver fresh fruit to any office in the metro area so that you and your colleagues can snack on something that doesn’t slide out of a vending machine (citiesfruit.com).
And if you need a sugar rush at the airport before catching your plane, stop at Sugar Pop on the main concourse. It’s been open for a couple years, but I just discovered it and love its collection of old and new treats. The shop stocks everything from our local Pearson’s Nut Goodies and Salted Nut Rolls to colorful old-fashioned lollipops (sugarpopstore.com).
