Washington State’s Famous Foods & A Few Surprises

Washington State produced nearly $14 billion in agricultural commodities in 2023, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics.

People the world over enjoy food products grown or originating in the Evergreen State.Are there some foods Washington State is best known for?

Most would complete the phrase "Washington State ______" with Apples.There are other options to consider and some others that may surprise you. Here's just a sampling, based on data from the USDA.

Washington State is a top producer for these crops

Washington is the #1 producer in the U.S. of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries. The state is the #2 producer of apricots, asparagus, grapes, potatoes and raspberries in the U.S.

What other food is Washington State known for?

• Aplets and Cotlets: the Turkish delight manufactured by Liberty Orchards in Cashmere, WA. Sales figures were not available, but Aplets and Cotlets, Fruit Delights, Orchard Bars, and the full lineup of products are a popular year-round gift.
• Almond Roca Candy The Brown and Haley Company confection from Tacoma, WA, since 1920 is based on a recipe for English toffee.Each piece is wrapped in a signature gold foil.
• Wheat The Evergreen State is ranked 4th in the nation in wheat production, most notably in the golden fields of the Palouse.Washington trails only Kansas and North Dakota and is ranked just behind Montana in US crop value of over $800M.
• Potatoes While Idaho is #1 for spuds, Washington is a respectable #2 for US production value at nearly $700M, just behind Idaho
• Asparagus (#2 Leading Producer)
• Mint (#1 Leading Producer): The northwest states, including Oregon and Idaho comprise the top three producers and 95% of US production
• Canola (#2 Leading Producer)
• Carrots (#2 Leading Producer)
• Corn Sweet, Fresh (Leading Producer)
• Dairy products, milk (#10 Leading Producer)
• Lentils (#3 Leading Producer)

Get our free mobile app

Washington State is also known for brewing and wine

• Hops: Washington produces 73% of the US hop crop, the lion's share of domestic production
• Wine Washington is the second-largest wine grape-producing state in the US, behind California.Grape production was valued at $300M but the Washington Wine Commission puts the in-state economic impact at more than $8 billion
• Barley (#6 Leading Producer)