Whether you’re a self-proclaimed food buff, a devoted fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, or simply curious about behind-the-scenes creation, touring through a food factory may appeal to your senses. Although most manufacturers prefer to keep facilities closed to the public, there are a number of friendly places that do accommodate visitors, welcoming them with knowledgeable guides and delicious tidbits. Want to stop by a few yourself? Here’s a list of five fantastic food factories across the United States.
1. Theo Chocolate, Seattle, WA
Far from being a tourist trap, Theo Chocolate is a factory that takes its chocolate passion seriously, processing everything from the beans to the bars, with the products being organic and fair trade to boot. Furthermore, there’s an abundance of samples, which includes everything from standard milk chocolate to coconut curry to dark spicy chile, meaning you might need to pace yourself in order to get through the hour-long session.
2. Jelly Belly Factory, Fairfield, CA
The Jelly Belly Factory is often a crowded environment, thanks to the popularity of its free tours, but once you’re in, there’s the thrill of watching production in action (provided you visit on a weekday) and the intoxicating scent of candy everywhere. Patience pays off too, as visitors are granted access to a sample bar at the end of the experience and can go on to purchase deeply discounted “Belly Flops” (jelly beans rejected for being imperfectly shaped, clumpy, etc.) in the gift shop.
3. Blue Bell Creameries, Breham, TX
Forget Ben & Jerry’s, consumers who’ve tasted ice-cream from Blue Bell Creameries swear by the latter brand. During the spring season, the plant is filled with wide-eyed children and will often sell out for the tours, so either reserve your spot in advance or visit during the less busy period. In case one complimentary scoop of Blue Bell isn’t enough, the guides will drop people off at the old-fashioned parlor at the conclusion of the tour.
4. Herr’s Snacks, Nottingham, PA
Specializing in savory snacks, Herr’s also provides free tours, walking guests past the rooms and machinery responsible for their potato chip, tortilla chip, cheese curl, popcorn, and pretzel manufacturing. Along with an overview of Herr’s operations, visitors get an introduction to the chipmunk mascot (the appropriately titled Chipper) and treated to a warm batch of chips fresh off of the conveyor belt.
5. Cabot Creamery, Cabot, VT
With an award-winning Monterey Jack (an honor bestowed by the American Cheese Society), Cabot Creamery is in an agricultural area far enough out of the way that you definitely won’t have to deal with long waiting lines or jostling. After an informational video, guests step right into the midst of things and can observe cheese makers working with vats of curds and yogurt. There are between two to three dozen varieties of cheese to sample, with highly specialized flavors such as tikki masala and habanero cheddar.
Originally published on NileGuide
