From O’Neill surfboards in California to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Vermont, and Ford trucks out of Michigan, some products are stitched so tightly into their home state’s identity that they’re practically part of the local flag. But which North Carolina-made goods inspire the most pride today?
That’s the question MarketBeat.com, a leading financial media company, set out to answer. Surveying 3,015 respondents, they asked North Carolinians to name the products that make them beam with state pride. The results were as follows:
#1 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (Winston-Salem)
Iconic glazed doughnuts with a “Hot Now” sign that draws crowds. North Carolinians beam with pride knowing their hometown treat still makes people pull U-turns for a warm dozen.
#2 Burt’s Bees (Durham)
Natural personal care products with global reach. Ask any North Carolinian, and they’ll smile knowing a little beekeeper’s hobby from their state became a worldwide brand.
#3 Mt. Olive Pickles (Mount Olive)
The largest privately held pickle company in the U.S., rooted in Eastern North Carolina. Locals love that their jars add the crunch to sandwiches from coast to coast.
#4 Biltmore Wines (Asheville)
Wines produced from grapes grown on the famous Biltmore Estate. For locals, it’s proof that North Carolina doesn’t just have mountains to admire – it has vintages worth toasting, too.
#5 Texas Pete Hot Sauce (Winston-Salem)
Despite the name, this hot sauce has been made in NC since the 1920s. North Carolinians get a kick out of the name confusion – and an even bigger kick out of putting it on everything.
