If you’re meandering between Beaufort and Charleston on U.S. 17, you’ll find a slice of Southern heaven at Carolina Cider Company, a store that effortlessly blends the charm of an old country shop with an eclectic selection of goods that celebrate the region’s rich culinary heritage. Upon walking through its doors, you’re greeted with an array of delightful foods ranging from myriad cider varieties to an assortment of pickles and relishes. This establishment, with its deep family roots in cider making, has served the community and visitors alike for about 13 years under the watchful eye of Catlin Lambert, and owners Jessica and Tristan Leinhert strive to offer products that tell a story of tradition and craftsmanship, including ciders in flavors like apple, blackberry, red cherry, blueberry, strawberry, peach, and muscadine, along with delicious fruit butter, jams, jellies, and more.
What Sets Carolina Cider Company Apart
What truly sets Carolina Cider Company apart is not just its extensive selection that seems to transport you to a time where quality and flavor reign supreme but also its dedication to offering authentic Southern staples. Alongside the celebrated ciders, customers can find an astonishing variety of jams, jellies, and preserves, nearly 50 types displayed on their website, embodying every taste and texture imaginable. You can indulge in specialty items such as dilled green beans, artichoke relish, black-eyed pea relish, grits, and rice. Not to mention, for those perhaps looking for something a bit different, the store offers Blenheim ginger ale or Cheerwine to quench your thirst. This makes every visit an adventure, an opportunity to discover new flavors or revisit cherished tastes that remind you of home or of visits to grandma’s house.
One cannot talk about Carolina Cider Company without mentioning the pièce de résistance of their offerings: the homemade pies crafted daily by Laurel Goodman. Using recipes passed down from her grandmother and insisting on only the freshest ingredients (she raises her own chickens to have fresh eggs for the pies), Goodman’s dedication to quality is evident in every bite. The pies, which each day find their way into the store by 8 a.m., have garnered acclaim far and wide, with Southern Living magazine lauding Goodman’s pecan pie as one of the South’s best, highlighting its perfect balance and extraordinary texture. But it’s not just the pecan pie that captures hearts; the seasonal favorite of sweet potato and the exceptional apple pies, with their flaky crusts and delicious fillings, demonstrate the role of tradition and care in elevating the simple act of eating pie into a memorable experience.
A Community
The appeal of Carolina Cider Company extends beyond its products. It’s about a sense of community, of belonging, and of preserving a way of life that values the story behind each jar of preserves, each sip of cider, and each bite of pie. It’s a destination where tradition and hospitality meet, inviting both locals and visitors to partake in the unique experience it offers through its two store locations. In the words of Catlin Lambert, the store serves as an “unofficial welcome center,” symbolizing the warm, inviting essence of the South. Whether you’re stopping by for a cold cider on a hot day, searching for that perfect jar of jam, or indulging in a slice of homemade pie, Carolina Cider Company welcomes you to explore and enjoy the rich offerings that make the South a deliciously unique place to call home.
Source: discoversouthcarolina.com
Header Image Source: discoversouthcarolina.com
