5 Local Fall Treats You Didn’t Know You Needed

Northwest Arkansas is bustling with entrepreneurs and small businesses, many of which (lucky for us) focus their brilliance in the local food and beverage space. Our friends at Cureate cherry-picked (or, shall we say, Cureated?) selections from some of our favorite local food entrepreneurs with their fingers on the pulse. We recommend the following local goodies to help you best savor the season. 🍁 

One

Sweater Weather Ice Cream by Pure Joy Ice Cream (Seasonal Only)

📍108 N Broadway St, Siloam Springs

Why it’s awesome: First of all, real ice cream heads know that ice cream season never actually ends, it just evolves. And talking about evolved ice cream, this flavor is an exemplary one. This cold treat ironically tastes like a warm hug, and was originally crafted using all the usual suspects for warm fall vibes such as allspice, clove, cardamom, and cinnamon. Until, that is, native & indigenous produce-obsessed owner Matt discovered native Spicebush Berries– a plant that grows freely here in Northwest Arkansas, and replaces the flavor of almost all of the above spices! Now Sweater Weather is made with the humble Spicebush Berry, and a dash of cinnamon. This is why we love local, folks!

Shop Sweater Weather at their scoop shop in Siloam, or at Whole Foods and Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville, and follow Pure Joy on Instagram!

Two 

Caramel Apple ‘Winter in Africa’ Green Tea by Asami Tea Shop

📍200 E Main St, Gentry

Why it’s awesome: When you’ve hit your weekly quota of PSL’s and hot cocoa’s but still want a warming, nostalgic and seasonal pick-me-up, this is your answer. Asami’s loose leaf teas are superior, and this blend is no exception. And like all Asami teas, you can really let the ingredients do the talking: 2 different types of green tea, tangy real green apple pieces, cinnamon, rosehips, marigolds, rose petals, and natural creme brulee flavoring are all balanced into each bag. WARNING: brewing a cup of this may result in the sudden desire to throw on a warm cardigan and watch a cozy Halloween movie. 

Shop Caramel Apple Tea here, and follow Asami Tea on Instagram!

Three

Pumpkin Spice Sauce by KYYA Chocolate (Seasonal Only)

📍278 N Elm St, Springdale

Why it’s awesome: The best Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte (a seasonal delicacy, as we all know) I’ve ever had in my entire life came from Bolder Coffee, right here in Northwest Arkansas. Bolder is awesome, but their secret sauce– Yes, pun intended– is none other than the deliciously sweet KYYA Seasonal Pumpkin Spice sauce. This sauce makes for a truly standout PSL with its velvety texture and perfect balance of vanilla, spices, brown sugar, and real pumpkin puree. What’s also awesome about this product is that it presents a perfect excuse to drive up to the KYYA production facility, where you can peruse the seemingly endless varieties off sauces, syrups, bonbons, and more that the talented local team works on daily.

Shop Pumpkin Spice Sauce here, and follow KYYA Chocolate on Instagram!

Four

Pumpkin Spice Latte & Caramel Apple Chocolate Barks by DSRV Chocolates (Seasonal Only)

📍The Shops at Brick City, 1404 N College Ave, Fayetteville

Why it’s awesome: DSRV Chocolates’ chocolate barks are not only delicious, but their seasonally rotating selections and mainstay flavors alike are a wonderfully approachable, accessible local chocolate treat. While some chocolates make you feel like you have to wait for a special occasion to bust out a truffle, DSRV owners (and married couple) Candace & Tommy want their treats to be the ones you eat on your couch, in your jammies. We can very much get behind that— especially when they’re feeding our addictions to PSL and Caramel Apple flavored goodies for the season. But that’s not all— for the more adventurous, they’ve also got limited edition Old Fashioned & Sriracha Lime flavors for fall!

Shop Pumpkin Spice & Caramel Apple Bark here, and follow DSRV Chocolates on Instagram!

Five 

Apple Spice Syrup by Siloam Syrups

📍Bella's Gifts, 202 E Emma Ave Suite 110, Springdale

Why it’s awesome: We all know NWA holds a lot of coffee syrup talent within its boundaries— one of those talents is already on this list! But one thing we also know is that NWA loves its specialty coffees, lattes, mocktails & cocktails and has boundless room to support new talent within that space. Especially one as delicious, sophisticated, and thoughtfully crafted as Siloam Syrups. SS’s owner, Angela, makes a bid to enter your new latte rotation with her small-batched Apple Spice syrup. Every bottle includes a blend of apple, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger to conjure up the ultimate warm apple pie vibes. Enjoy this in a hot latte to feel right at home, anywhere.

Shop Apple Spice Syrup here, and follow Siloam Syrups on Instagram!

That’s a wrap! Now get out there and enjoy some fall flavors ❤️ 🧡 💛 🍁

About Cureate: Cureate is a woman-owned food-tech company and business development consulting firm dedicated to strengthening local food systems. It offers educational programs for food and beverage entrepreneurs, connects local businesses with institutional buyers, and provides strategic counsel to help businesses navigate changing consumer preferences. Cureate's mission is to empower local food businesses and shift the dollar back into communities.