Pages

Thursday, July 31, 2014

West Michigan’s own Fine Chocolate Factory!

Chocolate Chips
Chocolates by Grimaldi is your local, Grand Haven chocolate factory where decadent confections are made on site and in sight using chocolate with no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or waxes. We focus on using local and Michigan-made ingredients in our gourmet confections to ensure the highest quality products.

When visiting our shop, guests will be welcomed with free samples and an amazing view of our 30 foot 1950’s enrober. The chocolate factory is not only a shop, it is truly a destination where families and friends can schedule factory tours to learn about the chocolate making process and discover the rich history of chocolate.

Our top seller is a gourmet chocolate candy called Chips ‘N Chocolate. This combination of Michigan-made potato chips covered in creamy milk chocolate is a sensational marriage of sweet and salty, with a kick of crunch. It is sure to become one of your favorites, too! Grimaldi’s makes a variety of handmade chocolates, including soft, buttery caramels, hand-rolled truffles, chocolate-covered strawberries, and handmade turtles. Pick and choose your favorite chocolates, select a box of assorted gourmet chocolate candy, or a gift basket. Free samples are always offered, taste to see why our motto is “your lips will love our chips” and indulge in our famous chocolate covered potato chips!

1950s Enrober (aka Chocolate Waterfall!)
Share our gourmet chocolate with loved ones that don’t have the luxury of coming into the shop; we ship anywhere! Need a corporate gift? We have you covered, with just one phone call we can take care of your gift giving needs! Stay informed about our new products, specials, and receive exclusive coupons by signing up for our email list and following us on Facebook and Twitter. Are you a Chocolate Lover? Join our customer loyalty program, the Chocolate Lover’s Club, for extra savings and to hear about the latest chocolate factory happenings! Call 616-935-4470 to schedule a chocolate factory tour, visit us at 219 North 7th Street in Centertown of Grand Haven, or check us out online at chocolatesbygrimaldi.com.

Please spread the word, tell a friend and help us to grow. Invite them to see Grand Haven’s own chocolate factory, you won’t be disappointed!


Key Lime Truffles

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

West Michigan Weekend Round-Up: August 1-3, 2014

Looking for something to do this weekend? Get ready to Chalk the Block in St. Joseph, watch a movie on a boat in Muskegon, and don't forget that it's Reptile Weekend at Binder Park Zoo!

Friday, August 1

Allendale 
Battle Creek 
Coopersville 
Grand Rapids 
Muskegon 

Saturday, August 2

Allendale 
Battle Creek 
Beaver Island 
Coopersville 
Grand Ledge 
Grand Rapids 
Hickory Corners 
Old Mission/Leelanau Peninsula 
Thompsonville 

Sunday, August 3

Allendale 
Battle Creek 
Coopersville 
Grand Rapids 
Hastings 
Whitehall 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

In Season in West Michigan: Blueberries

Neatly planted rows of red-branched blueberry bushes line the roads of southwest Michigan, and it’s no surprise. This small fruit holds the title of the second most popular in the United States – first place going to the deliciously sweet strawberry. Blueberries hold a place in the hearts of all Americans as one of the only three fruits native to North America (along with concord grapes and cranberries). The earliest settlers also enjoyed wild blueberries for its many culinary and medicinal purposes. They even boiled the fruit with milk to create gray paint!

It wasn’t until the early 20th century, however, that we were able to commercially cultivate this superfruit, thanks to the careful work of Elizabeth White in New Jersey. Partnering with the USDA's Dr. Frederick Coville, she developed a bush that could be successfully planted and farmed, giving birth to the industry’s annual 200 million pound blueberry crop.

Growing Season

In Michigan, blueberry harvest typically stretches from mid-July to late September. The plant’s flowers are white, pink or red and bell-shaped. Blueberry bushes typically begin bearing fruit in mid-growing season with berries shifting from pale green to red-purple and finally blue-purple when ripe.

Location

The acidic soils and low temperatures of southwest Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren counties create the primary growing region in Michigan.

Harvest

Select plump berries with a blue-purple color; blueberries don’t typically ripen once picked. An easy way to harvest berries is to gently rub a blueberry bunch, allowing the ripe berries to drop into a bucket. Unripe berries will remain on the bush.

Storage

Once picked, place berries in an open container, allowing moisture to escape. As with most soft fruits, blueberries should not be washed until just before use to prevent softening.
Fresh: Chilled berries will last between ten and 14 days.

Frozen: Arrange unwashed berries in a single layer and place in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They will keep for one year.Nutrition
Blueberries are delightfully nutritious and have a reputation for fighting infection, heart disease, and some cancers. Not only do they pack a diverse menu of dietary fiber, Vitamin A & C, niacin, iron and manganese, but they contain only 84 calories in a single cup with no cholesterol or fat.

Today blueberries are earning their superfruit status for their high level of antioxidants. Particularly high in wild species, studies have shown that the blueberry’s various antioxidants and phytochemicals including anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols, and tannins – all good things your body loves - inhibit cancer cell development.

Did You Know?

  • If all the blueberries grown in North America in one year were spread out in a single layer, they would cover a four-lane highway stretching from New York to Chicago.
  • The blueberry muffin is the official muffin of Minnesota.
  • The blueberry is the state fruit of New Jersey and the official berry of Nova Scotia.
  • Indians in the Northwest Territory smoked wild blueberries to preserve them for the winter.
  • North America produces nearly 90% of world’s blueberries.
  • Blueberry flavored Jelly Belly was created for Ronald Reagan's presidential inauguration in 1981 when over three tons of Jelly Belly beans were consumed during the festivities.

Monday, July 28, 2014

West Michigan’s Green Thumb

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Parks

It may not fit with the traditional image of Michigan being shaped like a mitten, but we would argue that West Michigan is the Green Thumb of this great state! Boasting beautiful gardens, a wide array of delicious crops year-round, a rich history of horticulture, and opportunities to develop your own green thumb, West Michigan is your destination for everything green and growing.

History of Horticulture

The Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum, a National Historic Site in South Haven, MI, is the birthplace and childhood home of the Father of Modern Horticulture, Liberty Hyde Bailey. It's no wonder, therefore, that the "exhibits" here extend outside the walls of the 1858 homestead and into the gardens. The Bailey Museum's living collections include a variety of gardens, each dedicated to one of the many different families of cultivated plants that characterized Liberty Hyde Bailey's research interests, as well as his personal favorites. And Bailey was more than a horticulturist -- he was an inspirational philosopher too, and quotations from his works grace the gardens via a series of interpretive signage. The museum also offers, on select Wednesday nights at 7:00, a variety of "Garden Talks" with expert gardeners and others under the Baileys' old black walnut tree. Visit the museum to celebrate the soil, delve into the region's horticultural heritage, and add some education to your vacation!

Castle Farms

Gardens

From vast gardens sprawling over 100 acres to intimate, carefully cultivated patches of pride, West Michigan is home to some of the loveliest gardens you’ll ever get the chance to stroll through. The gardens at Castle Farms in Charlevoix will make you think that you’ve been transported to the famous gardens of England or France. With their King’s Grand Courtyard Garden, Queen’s Rose Garden, Trellis Walkway, Hedge Maze, and more, you’ll savor each step as you experience their self-guided tour, allowing you to take as much time as you like to take in your surroundings. Stop by Windmill Island Gardens in Holland not only for their 115,000 tulips in the spring, but also linger amid a sea of flowers all summer long as annual plans and flowers decorate the grounds. Get a taste of the good life from the 1920s at the W.K. Kellogg Manor House on Gull Lake in Hickory Corners as you tour the estate and grounds of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg, all restored to their original grandeur. For a stunning mix of gardens and art, visit the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, situated on 200 acres. Be sure to catch the largest tropical conservatory in Michigan, an expansive children's garden, a carnivorous plant house, and many more surprises and delights on your visit to the Meijer Gardens. Find details on more West Michigan gardens below:

Stokes Homestead Farm Market

Produce

With our unique climate here in West Michigan (four distinct seasons, plus whatever Lake Michigan throws at us), we are able to grow a wide variety of produce, with something new popping up almost every month! With our many farms featuring asparagus, strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, sweet corn, apples, and more, no taste bud will go unsatisfied. With blueberry season in full swing, Stokes Homestead Farm Market boasts 600 acres of blueberry plants, with the opportunity for visitors to hop on a wagon ride to the fields and pick to their hearts’ content! Check back at your local farms monthly, as there’s sure to be something new in season and ready for you to enjoy. See below for more West Michigan produce locations.

U-Pick Locations

Farmers Markets

Downtown Market Grand Rapids

Education

There are those of us who seem to leave a path of healthy, fertile plants everywhere we go, and then others of us who struggle to keep a houseplant alive for more than a day. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, think about taking advantage of some upcoming classes designed to help you get in touch with your inner green thumb. “Mommy and Me in the Greenhouse” is designed for moms with children ages 0-5 to come spend the morning enjoying the greenhouse and learning about plants and experiencing the sights, sounds, touches, tastes, and smells (August 1, 8, 15, & 22). Drop in for a Microgreen Tasting Bar on August 10 to learn about a variety of microgreens while you taste the different flavors for yourself, as well as get tips from a greenhouse expert on how to start growing your own. Get out and explore what’s growing locally with the “Urban Farm & Garden Bike Tour” on August 21, starting with an introduction to urban farms and community gardens in the greenhouse, followed by a map of the spaces that have been manifesting in GR. Bring your bike and safety gear to end the evening with a guided bike tour of Downtown's best growing spaces. All classes take place at Downtown Market Grand Rapids, and registration information may be found on their website.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

West Michigan Weekend Round Up: July 25-27

From Picnic Pops to Bluegrass, and from Magic Festivals to a Blueberry Bash, we've got something for everyone this weekend in West Michigan!

Friday, July 25

Allendale 
Beaver Island 
Cannonsburg 
Charlevoix 
Hickory Corners 
Lowell 
Old Mission/Leelanau Peninsula 

Saturday, July 26

Allendale 
Beaver Island 
Charlevoix 
Grand Haven 
Grand Junction 
Grand Rapids 
New Era 
Northport 
Old Mission/Leelanau Peninsula 

Sunday, July 27

Allendale 
Beaver Island 
Big Rapids 
Charlevoix 
Grand Rapids 
Old Mission/Leelanau Peninsula 

Monday, July 21, 2014

Sneak Peek: Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids

I got an exclusive chance to visit the future home of Long Road Distillers recently, and meet with co-owner Kyle to talk about what the first neighborhood distillery in Grand Rapids will offer.


The building is located at 537 Leonard St NW, which is, as the name would suggest, one of the longest roads in the Grand Rapids area. The entire inside of the building is currently under construction, as they work on clearing out what used to be there (a clothing store & some apartments) and making room for their vision.
 Long Road Distillers will focus on creating a product which is truly local, from sourcing ingredients from local farmers to milling their own grain right in the distillery building. They'll have six fermenters on site to continue the process, with the crowing jewel of the operation being their main still, which is currently on order from Müller in Germany. Kyle let me see a photo of the still's design, but they're keeping it mostly under wraps until the big reveal when they open. I can say that it's a work of art though! The Distillery will feature a giant glass wall at the back of the bar, which will provide a great view of the 15-foot still, so you'll be able to appreciate it as you sit and sip what it's created.


Along with working on putting together a "Mug Club" of sorts, Long Road Distillers has a few more tricks up their sleeves which will offer great opportunities for the community to get involved with what they have going on. One option will be to "buy" a cask of whiskey, and stay with it throughout the ageing process. You can drop by and sample your whiskey as it works its way through the aging process, developing its flavors and depth. Another option will be to purchase kits intended for aging your own whiskey. You'll be able to age it anywhere from three weeks to six months, and taste it along the way to determine when it's ready to drink!


Kyle stands near where the bar will go.
Long Road Distillers will serve simple fare out of their kitchen to accompany their spirits, but want to keep their main focus on producing drinks. They're planning on partnering with some neighboring restaurants to allow for a wider selection of food though. It's great to see local businesses come together in ways like this! Along with a variety of seating in and around the bar on the main floor, the second story will allow for overflow seating, as well as event space that will be available. There are even plans for an outdoor deck area to be added down the line!

I asked Kyle what types of spirits they would be focusing on, and it sounds like they'll have something to satisfy everyone's taste buds! Kyle & co-owner Jon came up with the idea of opening their own distillery over a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey, so you can bet they'll be featuring some of their own varieties of that! They're also planning on doing some experimenting with gin, with lots of ideas for new & different varieties. Did you know that traditional martinis are made with gin? Long Road Distillers will be encouraging people to try this traditional drink with their specialty gins, and I'm sure they'll come up with some great flavor combinations! They'll also have a variety of vodkas, infused with flavors from local produce, and have the goal of creating their own perfect vodka that you can drink neat and warm, and it will still taste perfect.

The second story, which will provide overflow seating,
event space, and offices.
So when will you be able to stop by Long Road Distillers and try their offerings for yourself? They're hoping for a November opening date as of now, but be sure to visit their Facebook page or Website and sign up for email alerts so you'll be the first to know! That way you can impress your friends by bringing them in for a drink before this place explodes onto the scene, and maybe even start aging your own cask of whiskey with their help!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

West Michigan Weekend Round Up: Jul 18-20

It's that time again! We're ready for a weekend, and we're sure you are too! Check out some of our top picks for things to do this weekend, and plan your next West Michigan adventure!

Friday, July 18

Allegan 
Allendale 
Augusta 
Beaver Island 
Belmont 
Cannonsburg 
Constantine 
Coopersville 
Frankfort 
Gaylord 
Grand Haven 
Grand Rapids 
Harbor Springs 
Hartford 
Hastings 
Hudsonville 
Kalamazoo 
Lowell 
Ludington 
Marshall 
Muskegon 
Rockford 
Saugatuck 
Spring Lake 
St. Joseph 
Thompsonville 
Traverse City 

Saturday, July 19

Allendale 
Battle Creek 
Berrien Springs 
Frankfort 
Grand Haven 

Sunday, July 20

Allendale 
Charlevoix