Outstanding Cracker 2009: 34 Degrees Rosemary Crispbread

Craig Lieberman was studying international relations in Australia when he first tasted the crackers that inspired his award-winning 34 Degrees Rosemary Crispbreads. “This wafer-style of cracker was popular in Australia and New Zealand,” he says. “Two years ago, we decided to make our own.” Since then, his six-year-old business, which had been selling imported products from the Land Down Under (thus the name 34 Degrees because it is the latitude of Sydney), stopped selling imports and focused exclusively on making crackers in its Boulder County, Colo., bakery.
           
The company sells four varieties besides the sofi-honored Rosemary, including Natural, Sesame and Cracked Pepper. “These are the ultimate cracker to serve with cheese—subtle, oil-free and not bulky—the perfect accompaniment,” Lieberman says.

All 34 Degrees products, sourced with ingredients grown as close to the bakery as possible are baked to order and shelf stable for 12 months. “And we have pairings on the back of each box with suggestions for specific cheeses, dips and spreads,” notes Lieberman. Suggested retail price: $3.99-4.99/4.5-ounce. www.34-degrees.com.–D. Moss