Pacific Pickle Works Pickle Club

What's in the box: Jars of Pacific Pickle Works pickled vegetables, such as spicy dills, carrots, asparagus or kimchi style pickles, made in Santa Barbara.

Pacific Pickle Works is a Santa Barbara, California pickle maker with a distinct West Coast style: peak-season produce hand-packed in a bold, spicy brine built on California chiles, savory aromatics and a classic vinegar pucker. The lineup is playful and goes well beyond cucumbers, with jars like No Big Dill kosher dills, Mother's Puckers, Carriots of Fire carrots, Asparagusto! asparagus and a Kimchi Meets Pickle hybrid. The company also makes cocktail mixers, a nice bonus if you like a briny Bloody Mary. The Pickle Club is the recurring way to get these jars, but the site does not clearly state how often boxes ship, how many jars are included or what a subscription costs, so confirm the terms before you sign up. For comparison, single jars start from $9.65 to $11.55 depending on the variety, and a 'New Favorites' variety pack is $30.95. Orders over $60 ship free, and newsletter signups get 15% off a first purchase. Flavor is the real draw. If you enjoy heat and crunch, this range is far more interesting than supermarket dills. If you prefer mild or sweet pickles, the spicy house style may not suit you. The company notes that product details and exceptions vary by listing, so read individual labels if you have dietary needs.