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Big in Groningen: craft entrepreneurs

The city and the surrounding area are brimming with activity. With local go-getters and thinkers. From biscuit bakers to makers of beeswax cloths. The nice thing: the entrepreneurs below make everything themselves and just at home. Traditional as Groningen people do.

Forget big ovens: you just bake the tastiest cakes at home. Kylian must have thought the same when he started baking. In his kitchen, he makes the most delicious creations with local products. These include the 'drupke', a delicious cake with large chunks of chocolate. Or how about his duo cake? A successful Groningen combination of 'kovvie with kouk': coffee and old wives' cake flavour. Looks cool and tastes even better. He gets his flour just from the province, from mill Mulder Pot in Kropswolde. Feeling peckish? Kylian will personally deliver your order to your home if you live in the city centre. If you are a little further away, you will simply receive the slick box by post. Enjoy it: before you know it, the cake will be gone.

Fun. That's what children like to do best. Tinkering, messing about and playing with clay. With Artsmart's playdough, the little ones among us can do anything. With various packages in all the colours of the rainbow. Extra fun: this natural clay is made in Groningen. At Liesbeth's home. Once she received the recipe as a present, but now she fills many jars. Even if you are a bit older, clay is nice. Together with your child, or just by yourself. It is certainly relaxing. Get out of your head and get your feet in the clay. And if you lack inspiration, you can visit the Artsmart site for all kinds of great ideas. So you will never run out of ideas. The clay is available from the Groningen Store.

Next to the gemaal de Waterwolf, so close to the Frisian border, you will find Inmaken en Zo. The cosy shop houses a lot of goodies. And much of it comes from their own garden and orchard. From courgettes to pickles and jam to freshly squeezed fruit juice. The chutneys also appeal to many. All without chemical additives. Adding a little sugar and vinegar is often enough. And don't forget to fill your basket with numerous spices. On Friday and Sunday afternoons, you can just drop by to taste. Or spot Alma at the regional produce markets in Leek and Leens. You just can't go wrong for so many delicacies.

The sandwich. Perhaps the most familiar daily snack. Who hasn't grown up with it? Of course, you can pick up a half at the supermarket, but it could be a bit more special. Take Mariëtte's breads from Berkenstein Bakt. In her cosy bakery in Ter Apel, she makes artisanal creations from sourdough every week. Like Kylian van Koekn, she gets her flour from Mulder Pot mill in Kropswolde. Nice and local. And slightly different from the rest: she makes sourdough bread, bread without baking yeast. A bit stronger in flavour, firmer in shape. Pure bread as it is meant to be. She bakes white, wholemeal and multigrain with seeds as standard. And every week she has a pamper bread. But if you have your own wish or idea, she will be happy to make it for you. You can order easily via her website and pick it up at her place.

As is often said, we as humans cannot do without bees. They provide pollination for many plants and flowers. And they produce a lot in their hives. Honey, for instance. But what about beeswax? This is what the walls of the hive are made of, but it is useful for more things. For instance, Anja van Kijk7 makes special cloths from it. Using tablecloths as a base, for example. Just melt the beeswax, brush on the sheets and the cloths are ready for use. The beeswax has an antibacterial effect and seals well. Say goodbye to plastic and get one of these cloths. This way, you will store your food in a sustainable way. Moreover, much of the beeswax comes from a beekeeper in Groningen and part of the profits go his way. This completes the ecological circle. The cloths are available at the Groningen Store.