The state of Washington is a place of exquisite natural beauty. From the Olympic mountains of the northwest peninsula, extending across the islands of the Pacific coast and the lowlands around Puget Sound, to the Cascade Mountains dominated by the volcanic Mount Rainier in the east, the landscapes are sure to take your breath away.

The food of Washington is no less spectacular. Washington has much prime agricultural land where beef and dairy cattle, wheat and potatoes are raised. But perhaps the products most associated with the state are seafood and fruit.

Ports in Puget Sound and along the Pacific coast are home to many fishing vessels, which return with diverse catches that include salmon, oysters, crab, shrimp, halibut, flounder, tuna, cod and pollock. Fresh seafood is featured on countless restaurant menus along the coast and throughout the state, prepared in myriad different ways.

Fruit production is a major industry in Washington. The state leads the nation in the production of apples - among the varieties produced are red and golden delicious, gala, Fuji and Granny Smith. The apple harvest lasts from mid-August to late October or early November. Washington's fertile lava-ash soil in 2000 produced a record 99 million boxes of apples! But you'll also find here delicious cherries, plums, apricots, pears and blueberries...

Speaking of fruit, we can't neglect grapes. The first wine grapes were planted here by Hudson's Bay Company employees in 1825, and wine production has continued ever since, with hybrid varieties being introduced as early as 1854. Commercial-scale wine plantings took off in the 1960s, and today Washington ranks second in the US in premium wine production, with over 170 wineries and 29,000 acres devoted to grapevines. Some 15 varietals are grown here, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

A unique style of cooking, termed "Pacific Northwest cuisine," has grown up around all these local products. Characterized by its use of the freshest vegetables and fruit, locally-raised meats and Pacific fish and seafood, this is a delicious and healthful cuisine that lets the flavors of its ingredients shine through, often enhanced by a judicious use of international flavors, including Asian influences from the "other" Pacific coast.

Perhaps no place provides a better introduction to the elements of Pacific Northwest cuisine than Seattle's Pike Place Market. Established in 1907 as a place for local farmers to sell their produce, it was saved from demolition in 1971 after locals rallied to preserve it. Since then, it has become one of Seattle's premier attractions. Over 9 million visitors come each year to discover fresh fish and seafood, meats, flowers and a dazzling array of fruits and vegetables. You will also find artisanal products and specialty foods including smoked Pacific salmon, "hand-made" cheeses, wild mushrooms, dried Chukar cherries, and organic produce. After browsing the market, you're sure to be hungry! Fortunately Pike Place Market also houses numerous restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as varied shops and services - it's a must-see on any visit to Seattle.