There’s plenty to like about Alabama from its space and music history in North Alabama, to the white sand beaches of the coast, and its lakes, parks and Civil Rights History across the state. But what I enjoy the most about Alabama are the home-made products crafted by some of the best artisans in the world (that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it).
I thought about some of my favorite things and came up with a list of the Top 10 Made-In-Alabama products that I have tried myself. My list includes items from food to sheets, soap, socks and glass. I can honestly say that these are excellent goods and tasty too.
I hope you enjoy reading this post and are ready to sample some of these products for yourself or order them for gifts. The holiday season is coming up soon. Hint, hint.
Red Land Cotton Sheets — These 100% cotton sheets are 100% grown and made in the USA. The cotton used to make the linens is grown in the red soil of North Alabama and milled in other southern states. I love Red Land products so much I have bought multiple sheet sets and a quilt for myself and even some sheets for family. Red Land also sells towels, loungewear and items for babies.
(from Red Land Cotton Website)
The sheets seem to get softer and softer with each wash. And, if that’s not enough, they come beautifully packaged with red ribbon —the Red Land Cotton signature. The sheets are high quality, and though a bit pricey, are well worth the cost to support a business with southern roots.
(Bed Display Photo from Website)
Zkano Socks — These fun, decorative, quality socks are made in Fort Payne, Alabama, formerly known as the “Sock Capital of the World.” According to the website, the origin of the name Zkano is Native American and in Cherokee loosely translates as “being good.” SO, be good and order a pair or two.
(Photo from Website)
The socks come in a variety of designs and prints like lobsters, ladybugs, unicorns and butterflies. They even have a variety of socks to encourage voting. They are made of high-quality cotton that feel soft on your feet.
Left Hand Soap Company — Tomato, coffee, beer and zombie are a few of the bar soaps made at this quirky shop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. They make bar soap, soft soap, body scrubs, lotions, balms and something they call “pit cream,” which I assume is antiperspirant. This soap is all natural and gives you that clean feeling, unlike most commercial bar soap.
My favorite are the bar soaps and the interesting concoctions from tomato and strawberry to beer and coffee. I have tried the coffee, beer, strawberry, lavender, and rosemary and mint. My favorite is the lavender and lemon. I am anxious to try the Zombie soap made with cedar leaf, oak moss, and frankincense. They also hold workshops where you can make your own soap, but due to Corona they are not holding workshops as of this post.
(Photos from Left Hand Soap Website)
Orbix Hot Glass — Located in what appears to be in the middle of nowhere in Northeast Alabama, sits Orbix Hot Glass — a studio and shop where owners Cal and Christy Breed create stunning works of glassware and glass art from centerpieces to pitchers, bowls and ornaments. The shop sits on 26 acres bordering the Little River Canyon Natural Preserve and it may not be easy to find if you follow GPS or MapQuest. Both will take you the wrong way as we found out the hard way. Instead, follow the directions from the Orbix website under the “contact us” heading.
(Photo from Website)
If you’re looking to spend some fun time with family and friends creating your own masterpieces, you can create your own Christmas ornaments, tumblers, flowers, and paperweights by signing up for one of the classes. I bought one of the Roxy Pitchers and a wine bottle stopper. I plan to go back and attend one of the classes to make a tumbler or as I call it, a glass.
(Photos from Website)
Earth Born Pottery — Restaurants all across the country, like Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, serve meals on beautiful dishes created at Earth Born Pottery. I experienced Earth Born dishes for the first time while dining at Chris Hastings’ Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham. It was also then that I learned of the artist behind the name, Teena Payne. The dishes are hand-made in beautiful glaze colors from blues to greens, browns, reds and yellows.
(Photo from Earth Born website)
I cherish the coffee mug that I purchased with the script “A” the University of Alabama logo. It has become one of my favorite mugs. I wish I had more of the pottery, but hopefully will be able to purchase some dishes in the future.
Wanna know how to make your own pottery dishes? They have classes where you can throw your own clay and turn it into a gorgeous masterpiece.
Chèvre goat cheese from Belle Chèvre — The best goat cheese that I have ever tasted comes for a small creamery in Elkmont, Alabama. Belle Chevre not only makes pure goat cheese, they make spreadable goat cheese in savory flavors like honey, cinnamon, coffee and fig.
They also make a pimento cheese, a truly southern delicacy and a Southern Belle cheese that is so tasty you will want to meet the goat who made it. Technically, the goats don’t make the cheese, but they produce the milk so a person or machine can make the cheese. I got side-tracked.
The quaint downtown shop offers tastings, tours and an opportunity to pet one of the goats in the pens….ahhh. However, due to Covid, they are limiting tours to small groups with reservations.
(Photos from Website)
Who knew there were so many flavors of goat cheese? I did.
White Sauce from Big Bob Gibson’s BBQ — This award-winning sauce, originally from Bib Bob Gibson’s BBQ in Decatur, Alabama is my favorite to put on chicken. Heck, it’s even good on other things like baked potatoes, pork and anything else you want to put it on. It’s tangy and peppery with a vinegary taste. You have to try it for yourself. We always keep a bottle and panic when we run out.
Priester’s Pecans — Some of the best pecans can be found at Priester’s Store in Fort Deposit, Alabama. The retail store and online shop sells pecan candy, pecan pies and all types of whole and half pecans from roasted, to honey glazed, praline and key lime. My favorite is the praline pecans.
(Photos from Website)
They have special tins of pecans during the holidays so that’s when I like to shop. I get the small bags of praline pecans for Christmas stocking stuffers. That’s my little secret for you.
Alabama Peanut Company — Okay, so nuts are two of my favorite products from Alabama. I grew up in the Peanut Capital of the World which is southeastern Alabama where they host the annual Peanut Festival. But this shop is in Birmingham is in a historic building, the 1907 “Peanut House,” and is one of “America’s last surviving peanut merchants,” according to its website.
You can enjoy fresh hot-roasted peanuts or boiled peanuts — a southern passion. They are made fresh every day and you can’t just crack open one —since they are so yummy. That should be their signature line… You can’t crack open just one. Try it, we dare you.
(Photo from Website)
Order online or at the store. You can even get them in a small burlap bag. They have a tailgate pack for your game day parties or you can order the kit to make your own boiled peanuts.
(Photo from Website)
So, what are you waiting for? Get cracking, you nut.
Piper and Leaf Tea — This family-run tea company in North Alabama serves hot and cold brewed tea in stores. You can also order online in packets or jars. My favorite is the Strawberry Shindig and the Sassyfras Strawberry, but they offer many more different flavors of black, green and Oolong infused with peaches, blueberry, pineapple, lavender, honeysuckle, and Chai. They even carry special blends during the holidays.
Some of the names for their brews are fun and creative such as Front Porch Special, Pumpkin Moonshine, Lemon Berry Blush, Sweet Dixie, Briar Patch Brew, Sweetie Pie Chai and Monks Meditation. You’ll have to check out their website to see all the concoctions.
(Photos from Website)
If you visit one of their stores make sure to get a signature quart size Mason Jar to sip or gulp your tea, because what says Southern more than a Mason Jar full of sweet iced tea. Jars can be used for tea refills every time you visit; it saves the environment from waste and each jar purchase helps support farmers in the southeast.
(Photos from Website)
Another thing that I love about Piper and Leaf is that they source their ingredients such as fruits, roots and herbs for their tea from local farmers.
So, there you have it. My top 10 favorite things that are made in Alabama; therefore, made in the USA. What are your favorite things from Alabama or your state? I would love to know. Just let me know in the comment section.
(Photo Credit: Cover Photo of Cal Breed creating glass in studio courtesy of Orbix)
Everyday Edith 
I enjoyed reading about your favorite Alabama products. May I place my Christmas stocking requests?
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