We’re more than corn and soybeans

A worker wraps Maytag Blue Cheese by hand in Newton, Iowa. The piquant blue-veined cheese, aged in subterranean vaults, has developed a cult following among gourmets.

By Anne Kapler

Iowa.com

Any drive across Iowa will tell you the state is overflowing with corn and soybeans. But look a little further and you'll find lots of other foods to love in our state.

That world-famous Maytag blue cheese is made in Newton. Prosciutto from La Quercia in Norwalk, is a favorite of award-winning chefs and food writers. Muscatine County in southeast Iowa is renowned for sweet-tasting watermelons and muskmelons (Look for Muscatine melons in eastern Iowa each July). The all-natural, well-marbled pork sold by Niman Ranch is raised by family-owned farms here. Amana meats are top-notch. And Seed Savers in Decorah is a source of rare seeds for vegetables, herbs and flowers.

 Iowa is also home to a rapidly growing wine and beer industry. You'll find more than 50 wineries across the state. Try sparkling or hard cider from Sutliff, beer or rootbeer from Millstream Brewery, vodka and other spirits from Cedar Ridge Distillery or rye whiskey from Templeton.

Global food processing and finished food companies here include General Foods, Barilla, Kraft, Heinz, ConAgra, Quaker Oats, Sara Lee and Hormel.

For locally-grown produce, meat, eggs, honey as well as homemade breads, pies and pastries (including Czech kolaches), visit one of the state's many farmer's markets. We have more markets per capita than any other state in the nation. Most run May through October.

Learn more:

• Iowa Place-based Foods

• Iowa products and producers