HONOLULU Staff Picks Hawai‘i Favorites: GK Pantry POG Syrup

For this installment of local products you can buy online, in grocery stores or straight from the producer, we spotlight Gida’s Kitchen Pantry.

Photos: Katrina Valcourt

I found Gida’s Kitchen by accident. I was looking for local shrubs when the list of Good Food award finalists came out. The Good Food Foundation spotlights all of my favorite things to buy local: beer, chocolate, coffee, honey and more. And they have a section for elixirs, which sounded close enough to what I wanted. Kaua‘i-based Gida’s Kitchen was nominated for a yuzu citrus elixir, and since there were only limited quantities available, I bought a bottle and sent it off to a friend on the Mainland for Christmas.

Fast-forward a few weeks to Pai Honolulu’s annual holiday market where chef/owner Gida Snyder was selling her products and giving out samples. I bought a bottle of POG syrup (passionfruit, orange, guava for our nonlocal friends), which, like the yuzu elixir, can be used on shave ice and in marinades and drinks. I drizzle a few teaspoons of it over plain yogurt before topping with granola and fruit for a sweet breakfast or dessert.

The syrups (including other flavors such as Kaua‘i vanilla, pineapple mango, lychee and Hawaiian chili pineapple) are all made with locally grown fruit and herbs, organic sugar and natural ingredients. They’re available online, along with recipes. On Thursday, Snyder announced on Instagram that she will be phasing out GK Pantry to launch her newest venture, Slow Island Food & Beverage Co. Follow @slowislandco on Instagram, like a post and tag a friend for the chance to receive a free bottle of turmeric passionfruit tonic. Or check out the online shop at slowislandco.com.