When you buy a bag of chips from the grocery store, do you ever wonder about all the manufacturing stages and processes it had to go through just to land in your basket? Well, if you like to get an inside scoop on how your favorite snacks are created, you should head over to food factories.
Some food factories allow people to visit and experience the process of how their favorite food items are manufactured. Just imagine the joy of watching a raw potato blossom into a wonderful bag of chips. Now, for a foodie, that’s a memory of a lifetime.
So, if you want in on the fun, keep on reading to discover the food factories you should visit in the U.S.
1. Celestial Seasonings
Located in Boulder, Colorado, you can visit the house of Celestial Seasonings and marvel at their beautiful displays of tea box art. Once you enter the factory, you get to see how tea bags are made, and you also get to experience the aroma of flavors used in the manufacturing process.
The factory is also known for its mint room, wherein they store only mint to prevent it from cross-contamination. As of late, the factory has closed its doors to visitors due to the pandemic, but make sure to keep an eye out for the factory’s reopening so you can be one of the first ones in line.
2. Greenwell Farms
Coffee is essential for almost everyone, and so, what better way to spend an afternoon than visiting a place that is all things coffee? If you ever plan on going to Kealakekua, Hawaii, the Greenwell Farms facility is an absolute treat for a coffee aficionado. The farm has a guide who will walk you through the plantation, and you also get to witness how the coffee beans are prepared before being shipped off.
3. Tabasco
If you are a history nerd and also happen to love hot sauce, then this place should be on your bucket list. The Tabasco factory is located on Avery Island and is every hot sauce lover’s paradise. The factory has its own greenhouse, which contains tons of peppers. You also get to visit the barrel warehouse, where ripe peppers are kept before they are transferred to the blending room, where the magic happens.
Did you know about these food factories? Which one will you visit first?