The United States of America loves to celebrate its heritage. From the Fourth of July to Thanksgiving, we honor those who have come before us. Show
Not surprisingly, our favorite way to celebrate anything is with food, and the fifty states are no different. So we started to wonder what foods our fifty states have honored with official state titles. The United States of America has a rich culinary history that stretches back to our colonial days. While our founding fathers were creating our great nation, they were also chowing down on some of their favorite foods. The United States has also been home to pretty awesome food inventions, like the corndog. We are a country with a deep respect for food, and we love to eat. Many have states have honored representative foods by making them official state symbols. To become a state symbol, a food must go through a rigorous lawmaking process. A lot of the time it’s a concentrated effort from a states’ population that urges lawmakers to put a bill into action. Citizens, organizations, and even school children do some research before requesting a bill. After that, the bill follows the regular legislative process. And if the bill is passed, then the food becomes an official state symbol. Not all states had official state foods on their list of symbols. For those states, we suggested some iconic or local foods that would be good candidates. In fact, being ultra helpful, we also suggested some additions to existing state lists. It may surprise you to know that the most popular food, which featured on 16 states’ lists of symbols, was milk. Read on to find out what other foods gained honors from their states. 1. AlaskaWhen we think of Alaska we think of salmon. We also think of ice and snow dogs, but that’s beside the point. The state harvests billions of pounds of fish per year and salmon is one of their highest harvests. In honor of that, Alaska declared the king salmon its official state fish. 2. CaliforniaCalifornia produces most of our fruits and vegetables, so it’s no wonder they take pride in their crops. In 2013, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared avocados as the state fruit, almonds as the state nut, artichokes as the state vegetable, and rice as the state grain. But those symbols only lasted until the end of the year. However, if any of you Californians going fishing this summer, try to catch the official state fish, the golden trout. Key lime pie was invented in Florida and was declared the official state pie in 2006, so slice yourself off a piece this weekend. Floridians also know the value of a little vitamin C. Oranges are the official state fruit and orange juice the official state beverage. They’ve also declared the largemouth bass their official state fish. 4. GeorgiaIt makes perfect sense that Georgia chose the peach as its official state fruit. It is after all the peach state. Other state foods for Georgia are the peanut as the state crop and grits as the state prepared food. The bobwhite quail is the state’s official game bird and Georgia shares their state fish, the largemouth bass, with Florida. 5. IllinoisThe people of Illinois must be movie lovers because they have popcorn listed as their official state snack food. Illinois also declared the gold rush apple as their official state fruit. The bluegill is also the official state fish of Illinois. Even with all those official state foods, we think that Chicago-style deep dish pizza deserves a nod. Kentucky has two state foods on their official symbols list. Blackberries are the state’s official state berry and milk is the state’s official drink. To us that sounds like a perfect excuse to make a warm berry pie paired with a cool glass of milk. 7. New JerseyNew Jersey has two state official foods. The first is the blueberry, which was named in 2004. We think that means that all you New Jersians out there should start baking some blueberry treats. The second is the Jersey Tomato, which is the state vegetable. 8. North CarolinaNorth Carolina likes to get specific when it comes to its state foods. It has a state red berry, the strawberry, and a state blue berry, the blueberry. We like both of those fruits on their own, but they’d be even better together on top of some ice cream. The Scuppernong grape is also North Carolina’s state drink, the sweet potato its state vegetable, and milk its state drink. Ohio must be the perfect state for brunch, because it declared tomato juice as its official state drink. To us, that sounds like an invitation to indulge in some Bloody Marys next time we’re in the state. We’d also pick up some buckeye candies, which aren’t an official state food, but we think they should be. 10. TexasTexas is big, brassy, and super fun, just like their list of official foods. They honor their Tex-Mex roots by naming the jalapeno the state pepper, the chiltepin as the state native pepper, and tortilla chips and salsa as the state snack. Sopaipilla, a fried dessert with Hispanic roots, also shares a spot as the state pastry along with strudel. Chili is also the state meal, which fits perfectly with the cowboy image of the state. Other state foods include the red grapefruit, the native pecan, and the sweet onion. Texas goes big, even when it comes to state foods. What's the official food of your state? Check out the full list. More from The Daily Meal 10 Most American Foods Ever 5 Common American Foods Banned Around the World Andrew Zimmern’s Top 9 Most Bizarre American Foods 10 Foods Our Founding Fathers Ate
The USA is not a country known for it’s vast consumption of healthy fruits & vegetables with a recent health study showing that just 12% of Americans eat the minimum daily fruit recommendation of one and a half to two cups per day. With only 9% consuming the minimum daily vegetable recommendation of two to three cups per day. According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition studies at New York University, “We need to take much stronger action to make it easier & cheaper to eat fruits & Vegetables“. History of US Fruit & Vegetable Consumption:We began to eat more vegetables in the 1980’s but now that rise has stalled. We are now eating a similar amount of fruits & vegetables as we were during the 1970’s! This is of course not including Potatoes and fruit juices which have a very high sugar content. According to the Health advice study called “Changing the American Diet” we need to eat increase our vegetables Consumption. In the words of the Study we need to “We need to replace sandwiches with salads, swap starches for veggies, and trade cookies, cupcakes, and chips for fresh fruit.” With Many U.S states having state fruits, vegetables and healthy meals its seems real strange that we are not eating the amounts we should! So in this post i’m going to list of the U.S State Fruits & Veg, their benefits and a recipe idea for eating them! Let’s Dive in! Interactive State Fruit Map USADive into our Interactive map below! This lists all 50 states and their state fruits! User guide: Use the +/- buttons to zoom in and out of the attractions. Top Tip: Many visitors choose to share the post on Facebook to inspire friends and help plan their road trip. Hit the link below to share! Official State Fruit of Alabama
Alabama designated the blackberry as the official state fruit in 2004 after a health campaign, which was led by the third graders at Fairhope Elementary School. Blackberries are a robust plant which even grows well in partial shade! The unremarkable flowers can self pollinate, which makes them very easy to grow! (However the help of Bumblebees with the pollination can help to produce more fruit on the vine. The great thing about Blackberries is you can eat them right off the Vine! (Give them a little wash first!) Photographer: Greg Dupree Prop Stylist: Heather Chaddick. Food Stylist: Tori Cox, 2548901_Patri, Southern Living Forth Of July, Patriotic Desserts, Cherry flag PieHealth Benefits of the State Fruit:
Fun Fact: Alabama is also home to healthy state nut the Pecan. State Fruit Recipe Ideas:Blackberry Pie, Blackberry Jam and many deserts! The peach has also been officially recognized as the state tree fruit of Alabama in 2006. Try an Alabama Style Peach Cobbler. Alabama-Peach-Cobbler- state desert. Source: alabamanewscenter.comRay’s Restaurant in Dothan was picked as offering the best peach cobbler in Alabama. Ray’s combines firm peaches, crunchy cobbler and vanilla ice cream to claim the title Bama’s Best Peach Cobbler! Official State Fruit of Alaska – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Arizona – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Arkansas
History of the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato:Tomatoes are not a native fruit to Arkansas, however in the 1920’s , many commercial growers started to grow them . From that a movement started around Warren in Bradley County (Land of tall pines & pink tomatoes¬) The in 1956 a small festival was born the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival “one of the oldest continuous running festivals in the state of Arkansas” Tomatoes are not native to Arkansas, but in the 1920s commercial growers began to grow them in south Arkansas. Then, during the 1950s a fresh-market industry began to grow around Warren in Bradley County (Land of tall pines and pink tomatoes). South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato.As the popularity of the tomato grew the supermarkets demanded more red varieties of tomato. In 1987, State Representative John Lipton brought House Bill No. 1480 to the floor of the House of Representatives. House Bill No. 1480 passed a full vote of the House of Representatives in February, 1987. Rep. Lipton promised 20 pounds of tomatoes to each Representative who voted for the measure! It’s not clear to us if Rep. Lipton ever made good on his promise to his colleagues in the House. House Bill No. 1480 was signed into law by Governor Bill Clinton on March 16, 1987. Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
State Fruit Recipe Ideas:Italian pasta sauce, tomato soup, stuffed tomatoes, Bruschetta… tomato is a key flavor in many, many recipes! Official State Fruit of California
There are hundreds of varieties of avocado, but the Hass Avocado is by far the most popular and it has a special relationship with California, which grows over 90% of avocados grown in the U.S, around 350 million pounds a year. Avocados originated in South-Central Mexico sometime between 7,000 and 5,000 B.C.. Judge R.B. Ord bought avocado trees from Mexico to his home in Santa Barbara in 1871, and by the 1950’s around 25 different varieties were being packed and shipped in California! In the late 1920s, Rudolph Hass, a mailman, purchased a seed from grower A. R. Rideout, and planted it in his grove in La Habra Heights. california avocados. Source: https://www.freshplaza.comThe original avocado “mother tree” in La Habra Heights died of root rot in 2002 aged 76, and today all the Hass avocados in the world can trace their roots back to it! California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring the avocado the state fruit in 2013. Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
State Fruit Recipe Ideas:California quinoa & avocado salad,. SOurce: missfresh.comOfficial State Fruit of Colorado – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Connecticut – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Delaware
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
Source. Delaware strawberry pretzel salad. Source: Southernkitchen.comState Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Official State Fruit of Florida
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
Source. Florida_Orange_Ambrosia_Cake. Source: coborns.comState Fruit Recipe Ideas:Florida Orange Cake is a showcase for our Florida oranges, with juice in the cake and marmalade in the frosting. Everyone comments on how moist the cake is. See a full list of Florida oranges recipes here. Official State Fruit of Georgia
(Hmm Alabama might have something to say?)
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
State Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Official State Fruit of Hawaii – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Idaho
Huckleberries are small and round and come in blue, crimson, and purple or in very dark blue colour. These berries can be very sweet to taste and even sour. huckleberries-recipe-roundup. Source: https://edibleidaho.ediblecommunities.com/recipes/recipe-round-huckleberriesHealth Benefits of the State Fruit:
(Keeps skin healthy, helps reduce cancer risk!)
State Fruit Recipe Ideas:Make exquisitely delicious huckleberry jam freshly picked wild huckleberries! Idaho Huckleberry Jam Official State Fruit of Illinois
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
State Fruit Recipe Ideas:For the best apple pie many chefs recommended, avoiding granny smiths and make it with Gold Rush Apples! As it offering a better sugar balance. Official State Fruit of Indiana – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Iowa – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Kansas – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Kentucky
See Alabama Section at the top for details on Blackberries, recipes etc. Official State Fruit of Louisiana
Health Benefits of the State Vegetable:
Source, (For details on the State fruit see the section on Delaware above) State Fruit Recipe Ideas:Official State Fruit of Maine
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
source. wild-maine-blueberry-pie-recipe. Source: newenglandtoday.comState Fruit Recipe Ideas:
See: Ultimate Maine Lighthouse Road Trip Official State Fruit of Maryland – None(Try the Blue Crab though! and Smith Island Cake the state desert!) Official State Fruit of Massachusetts
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:cranberries to be a superfood due to their high nutrient and antioxidant content!
Source, homemade-cranberry-sauce. Source: Delish.comState Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Full Cranberry Recipe list here. Official State Fruit of Michigan – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Minnesota
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:One medium Honeycrisp apple has 5 grams of fiber and only 80 calories. The amount and type of fiber in the apple will help you feel full longer and thus consume fewer calories daily. Honeycrisp Waldorf Salad Vegan. Source: https://healthiersteps.com/recipe/vegan-waldorf-salad/State Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Source. Official State Fruit of Mississippi – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Missouri
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
Source. Grape Stuffed Chicken with lemon Orzo. Source: www.midwestliving.com/recipe/grape-stuffed-chicken-with-lemon-orzo/State Fruit Recipe Ideas:
For more see, here Official State Fruit of Montana – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Nebraska – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Nevada – NoneOfficial State Fruit of New Hampshire
For more see: Best Pumpkin Patches: U.S State Guide! Washington Carpinito Bros Pumpkin PatchHealth Benefits of the State Fruit:
Source. State Fruit Recipe Ideas:Insider Tip: Check out the The New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival an annual celebration held in Laconia, New Hampshire, United States before Halloween. Official State Fruit of New Jersey
For health benefits & recipes see the Section on Maines Blueberries. Official State Vegetable of New Mexico
Health Benefits of the State Vegetable:Rich source of vital protein, fiber, and antioxidants,
Source. State Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Official State Fruit of New York
Fun Fact: New York is ranked 2nd in the country growing more than 30 million bushels per year. Health Benefits of the State Fruit:
State Fruit Recipe Ideas:New York Chicken & Apple Salad New York State Apple Muffins. For other New York Recipes see. Here Official State Fruit of North Carolina
For Blueberry details, see our section on Maine. For Strawberries see Delaware. For Sweet Potato see Louisiana. Official State Fruit of North Dakota
Health Benefits of the State Fruit:Chokecherry tea is used to treat everything from anxiety to colds, diarrhea and even tuberculosis! Berries were eaten to relieve stomach pain and aid digestion. Aronia (Chokecherry)State Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Official State Fruit of Ohio
For Tomato Health Benefits & Recipes see our section on Arkansas near the top. Be sure to check out the Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival held Sept. 11-13, 2020. At scenic Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio, There you will find 3 days of pawpaw music, food, contests, art, sustainable living workshops, activities for the kids and lots more! Health Benefits of the State Fruit (PawPaw)Papaya is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which helps prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries
Source. PawPaw or Papaya. source: aysherbintmahmud.over-blog.comState Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Official State Fruit of Oklahoma
For Strawberry recipes see Delaware. Health Benefits of the State Fruit
Source. rush-springs-watermelon-festival. Source: edibleoklahomacity.ediblecommunities.comState Fruit Recipe Ideas:State Fruit Festivals?Rush Springs Watermelon Festival, has been an annual event since 1948, and has grown to over 20,000 festival-goers each year! This annual event celebrates the rush of local seasonal watermelons with watermelon-themed activities, carnival rides and family friendly attractions.
Jeff Davis Park East on Main St Rush Springs, OK 73082 Check out the Ringwood Watermelon Festival and Community Fair, a week-long tradition. The fair kicks off the Monday prior to Labor Day and concludes with a parade and activities on Saturday
Pears are Fat Free, Cholesterol Free and only 100 calories! They are also rich in essential antioxidants, plant compounds, and dietary fiber.
Fun Fact; Apples and pears contain pectin, a fiber which nourishes gut bacteria.Source. Official State Fruit of Pennsylvania – NoneOfficial State Fruit of Rhode Island
History:The Rhode Island Greening Apple was first grown from seed in the mid-17th century,near Newport, Rhode Island, where one Mr. Green owned a tavern near Green’s End. Rhode island apple pie. Source: https://leitesculinaria.com/106234/recipes-northern-spy-apple-pie.htmlState Fruit Recipe Ideas:Rhode Island Greening makes a great Apple pie! As it’s firm it holds it shape when you cook it! Official State Fruit of South Carolina
For more on Peach health benefits & recipes see Alabama Official State Fruit of South Dakota – NoneOfficial State Fruit of TennesseeFor more on Tomato health benefits & recipes see our section on Arkansas. Official State Fruit of Texas
Health Benefits of the State Fruit
Source. Texas Red Grapefruit – cake. Source: food52.com
Cherries contain a hormone called melatonin which facilitates good, peaceful sleep!
Learn how to plant cherry seeds with this AMAZING RESOURCE! https://happydiyhome.com/how-to-plant-cherry-seeds/ Source Cherry BBQ Sauce Utah. Source: https://thestayathomechef.com/cherry-balsamic-barbecue-sauce/State Fruit Recipe Ideas:
Source. Official State Fruit of Vermont
For more on Apple health benefits & recipes see our section on New York above. Official State Fruit of Washington
For more on Apple health benefits & recipes see our section on New York above. Official State Fruit of West Virginia
For more on Apple health benefits & recipes see our section on New York above. Official State Fruit of Wisconsin
For Cranberry health Benefits & Recipes see our section on Massachusetts. Official State Fruit of Wyoming – NoneFor more on Great American Fruits check out: Best Pumpkin Patches: U.S State Guide! Oklahoma- Parkhurst Pumpkin PatchAlso check out: Ultimate Foodie Road Trip: East Coast Maps! Epic Food Hall Road Trip USA: 21 Best Food Halls! Food-hall-Road-trip |