Made in Belize

Made in Belize

For such a little country, some of Belize's products pack a punch. Below is a list of possible souvenirs.

Hot Sauce

One of Belize's best-known products comes from a little plant near Dangriga. This spicy sauce was originally created by Marie Sharp in her kitchen in the early 1980s. It comes in a variety of heat levels, from the moderate Mild Habanero to the fiery No Wimps Allowed, and, finally, Beware. Marie Sharp's also makes less dangerous products, such as jams, jellies, and other spices and sauces. Call ahead to set up an informal tour of the plant. 3 Pier Rd., Dangriga. 522/2370 or 520/2087.

Rum

A favorite of rum connoisseurs, One Barrel, from Travellers Ltd. (Box 623, Belize City. 223/2855), has won international tasting awards in the gold rum category; Duurley's, another Travellers product, is also delicious. The company is run by the Perdomo family of Belize City. For distillery tours, contact Travellers Liquors Ltd. A good mixing white rum, and the one you'll see in most bars, is called Caribbean Rum. It is made by family-owned Cuellos (2 Miles, Yo Creek Rd., Orange Walk Town. 322/2141) distillery, which offers occasional distillery tours. Most rum is between BZ$14 and BZ$20 a bottle.

Hardwood Furniture

If the cost of shipping doesn't break your budget, the low-slung folding "clam chairs" are a favorite and made from the region's tropical hardwood. New Hope Woodworking, Ltd. (Buena Vista St., San Ignacio, Cayo. 824/2188) makes portable, small wooden boxes. New River Enterprises (14 Westby St., Orange Walk Town. 322/2225) makes solid mahogany and other hardwood doors, some around BZ$2,400 plus shipping. They also make patio furniture. Hummingbird Rattan (54 Hummingbird Hwy., Belmopan City. 822/3164.) uses bamboo, wicker, and rattan, sometimes mixed with mahogany, for indoor and outdoor furniture.

Coffee

Gallon Jug Estates in Orange Walk District is the only commercial coffee producer in Belize (and it is small, with only about 100 acres of coffee plantings). Made with only arabica beans, Gallon Jug coffees are shade-grown and don't use pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Whole bean and ground coffee, packed in colorful gold and green, can be bought all over Belize.

Beer

With a nationwide monopoly on beer, the Belize Brewing Co. Ltd. is one of the country's most profitable businesses. The beer is perfect for sipping on the beach and there are four types to choose from: a lager, with 4% alcohol; Belikin Premium, also a lager, with 5% alcohol; Lighthouse, a pale lager, with 4.2% alcohol; and Belikin Stout, a dark beer with 6% alcohol. If none of these are to your liking, a few other foreign brands, such as Bud, Red Stripe, and Heineken, are available at a much inflated cost. Some cruise ship and Belize City tours include a stop at the Bowen brewery, and a half-hour tasting of the beers. For information, contact 1 King St., Belize City. 227/2602.