DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — ABC11 is highlighting North Carolina-made products, with a spotlight on Triangle-based company Kyookz, known for its handcrafted pickles.
Executive chef and entrepreneur Ashlyn Smith acquired Kyookz earlier this year, but the company has been in the Triad for more than two decades. Smith, a Durham native and graduate of Northern High School, is now handcrafting the pickles in Durham at her culinary kitchen, using local cucumbers and ingredients.
"I go to the farmer's market and use them as well," Smith explained.
"We source from local vendors here for our cucumbers. It's really simple. It's cucumbers, onions, vinegar, water, sugar, and some spices. So that's all natural." Smith added.
Kyookz offers several pickle flavors, including classic, dill, sweet and spicy, and spicy. The brand is available online and at local grocery stores such as Harris Teeter and The Fresh Market, as well as several local boutiques.
"It's a pretty cool thing to have an item on the shelf in a grocery store, you know, and then they're going to take it home, and they're going to say Kyookz and cook and have the jars and then the jars in their house."
Smith hopes to continue growing the business and expand into specialty cooking products for cucumbers.
MORE NORTH CAROLINA MADE: Tractor company makes big name with compact machines in North Carolina
Candle company in Durham celebrates Black culture and storytelling through scents