Product Review – Treasure Valley Salsa
2.2.09
Products: Medium Salsa, Black Bean and Corn, Habanero & Lime, Salsa Verde

Who is Treasure Valley Salsa?
Treasure Valley Salsa, located in Eagle, Idaho is a new startup salsa company owned and operated by Jason Hall. Treasure Valley Salsa has developed a unique line of extraordinary salsa products in an otherwise ordinary (and saturated) category that we were truly blown away with. Normally, another salsa is just that – just another salsa among hundreds – but Treasure Valley really caught our attention….

Packaging/Labeling: 
This is where we first knew that Treasure Valley was on to something; their packaging really impressed us (and we aren’t impressed to easily, especially by salsa companies). Instead of the “dime-a-dozen” standard salsa jar and label, Treasure Valley opted for a tall, narrow jar that really has a neat slender look. Although a bit more difficult to dip directly from the jar with, the presentation certainly made an impact (plus, most people pour the salsa in a bowl for group eating anyway, right?)

In addition to the non-standard jar, Treasure Valley really hits a home run with the label. The attractively designed, glossy labels have a really cool burned edge look that is completely different from any other salsa out there. Surely it’s a bit more expensive to produce, but also more likely to jump out at consumers on the shelf. If we were shopping for a new salsa, we guarantee that we’d try it just because of the label. In fact, we’d say Treasure Valley gets our nod for the “Best Salsa Packaging” on the market!

Taste/Consistency/Quality: Most salsas taste about the same these days, and everyone has their own recipe that is really not too unique. Occasionally we’ll get someone  who tries “break the mold”, and goes too far with some crazy flavor concoction that is either too sweet, too hot, or just flat out unappetizing. Treasure Valley does it just right with a wonderful fresh-tasting, deliciously textured line of salsa containing a good mix of classic flavors (done right) and unique combinations that aren’t too crazy.

Our favorites were easily the Habanero Lime and the Salsa Verde. The Habanero Lime has absolutely perfect flavor with a nice kick that really leaves you craving more. A bit hot for some, we’d guess, but not so much that it drowns out the flavor you are intended to taste.

The salsa verde certainly turned some heads as well. One evening, Brooks surveyed his refrigerator and found that he was running low on chicken dinner components. The beautifully labeled jar of Salsa Verde on the counter caught his eye, and he decided that chicken, after browning in butter, would be delicious if he simply poached it in the Treasure Valley Salsa Verde. It was a stroke of bad refrigerator genius. He simply took the chicken, all dark meat, and slowly cooked it in that delicious green concoction. That evening at dinner, it was a giant hit with his dinner guests (virtually all foodwriters and critics); spicy, clean, and delicious when served over rice.

To our surprise, the black bean and corn salsa was also extremely good. Normally, most corn/bean salsas are WAY too sweet, or way too bland. Treasure Valley’s version was absolutely perfect – a bit sweet, but not so much that you feel sick after a few bites – and still full of great flavor.

Summary: Take the best packaging you’ve ever seen on a salsa product and fill it with perfectly crafted gourmet salsa, and you’ve got Treasure Valley – an instant favorite here! We’ll keep a close eye on this company as we think they are destined to be America’s next favorite salsa brand!

How to purchase: Consumers can order directly online at http://www.treasurevalleysalsa.com.