5 TASTES OF ANCHORAGE

SEAFOOD – Alaska has more coastline than any other state in the union, and the waters near Anchorage teem with savory salmon, flaky, fresh halibut, buttery crab, and juicy shrimp. Enjoy seafood chilled, grilled, in chowders, tacos, crisp salads, and more. There’s always something in season.

WILD BERRIES – Blueberry patches drape the hillsides, cranberries carpet mountain passes, and raspberries line sidewalks and alleys around Anchorage. Taste them in handmade ice creams and gelatos, sweet jams and jellies, fresh tarts, and a variety of other treats.

REINDEER SAUSAGE – In the summer, the spicy scents of succulent reindeer sausage fill the air over downtown Anchorage. Try one smothered in caramelized onions, or studded with sauteed pineapple. In the winter, warm up with a hearty bowl of reindeer stew.

SOURDOUGH – While other yeasts were difficult to ship and store in Alaska’s early days, sturdy sourdough passed the test, making it a statewide staple for years to come. These days, you can find it flavoring crusty loaves of bread and fluffy stacks of pancakes in restaurants and diners around Anchorage.

BIRCH – The slender birch trees feathering Southcentral Alaska produce more than just picture-perfect foliage: Trees are also tapped each spring to produce a supply of birch syrup, a sweet addition to everything from French toast to candies, marinades, and glazes. Only a few thousand gallons of the syrup are produced annually worldwide; a large portion of it flows from Alaska.