When you think of Boston (or at least when I do), the first thing that comes to mind is history. Boston seems to have an endless supply of historical landmarks and stories to go along with them. But another thing Boston is famous for? Its delectable, delicious food! The best way to experience foods that are 100% native to Massachusetts is by making a visit to the Boston Public Market.
The Vendors
With 35 on-site vendors, the Boston Public Market is an indoor, year-round, all-local market. All of the foods sold in the market are grown and produced in Massachusetts; no ingredients are imported. Because of this, the vendors have to make do with whatever crops the ground and weather will allow for during all points in the year. Foods sold in the market are always fresh and each station inside allows customers to watch vendors preparing the foods they sell. This way, the consumers can get a sense of how the locally-grown products are used by different businesses to produce what it is that they’re buying and eating.
To help you navigate your way through the Boston Public Market on your next trip to this amazing city, I have come up with a few key vendors and stations you should make sure to check out.
Red Apple Farms
The first place I visited on my trip was a station that sells an assortment of sweets, condiments, and produce with one thing in common; everything is made from apples. Red Apple Farm’s apples come from a farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts and are specially refrigerated to stay fresh for selling all-year round, even though apple season only lasts a few months each fall.
Their most famous product is the cinnamon apple donut, of which they offer free samples throughout the day. If you’re looking for an apple roll, apple cake, applesauce, apple salsa, or just a good fresh apple to bit into, make sure to stop by Red Apple Farm’s station at the Boston Public Market.
Levend Bagelry
If you’re a bagel-lover, Levend Bagelry is the place in the market for you. Watch bagels being rolled out in front of you while enjoying a bagel of your own. Because of the way the bagels are prepared, they’re stored for 48 hours before they are served, and have a taste that slightly resembles sourdough. New York bagels have nothing on Levend!
Stillman’s Farm
Have you ever bitten into a vegetable and, despite the fact that it was a vegetable, thought to yourself “Wow, this is delicious”? Now multiply that healthy yet tasty flavor by 10 and add a beautiful, natural color to the outside…and you’ve got any single vegetable you pick up at Stillman’s Farm in the Boston Public Market.
Stillman’s is a small farm in New Braintree, Massachusetts and takes a more holistic approach to grow the freshest and most conscientiously-grown veggies they can. And it certainly pays off. Stillman’s Farm’s spread in the market is aesthetically pleasing, to say the least, and I mean it when I say this; when you look at Stillman’s display, you WANT to eat a vegetable.
Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar
If you’re in the mood for a dairy dessert, you should definitely head on over to Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar. Aside from their award-winning ice cream, Crescent Ridge offers a classic: glass-bottled milk. The best part about that? You can have your Crescent Ridge dairy delivered to your doorstep daily, weekly, monthly, or however often you want!
Taza Chocolate
Before you head out, back into the beautiful city of Boston, make a detour to Taza Chocolate. If you’re a chocolate-lover (and who isn’t?), this is a must-try! All of the cocoa found in Taza’s delicious chocolate-based drinks and desserts is ground up and perfected right there on sight. Taza grinds up Oaxacan Molinos for the perfect, unrefined chocolate flavor you’ll come to know and love.
Stand right by the station, watch the whole process, and then…enjoy! Grab a hot chocolate in the winter (or anytime you’re in the mood) along with a chocolatey sweet to satisfy every chocolate craving.
After a couple of hours at the Boston Public Market, I guarantee you’ll be walking out with a full stomach, a whole lot of knowledge, a new appreciation for locally-grown Massachusetts crops, and a big smile on your face. Enjoy your trip to a market everybody should visit at least once in their lifetime!