Cooney’s Mountain Mustard: Sweet and savory dips with PA Wilds origins

Potter County | Dark Skies landscape of the PA Wilds

By LaKeshia Knarr

Kim and Denny Cooney began making pepper mustard for themselves and family. It wasn’t long before family and friends began requesting it.

The gourmet mustard complements a wide variety of foods or tastes.

“This sweet and savory mustard can be used as a dipping sauce, glaze, or condiment,” said Kim. “It’s an excellent addition for everything from cheese and crackers and sandwiches to a wide variety of items on the grill. The possibilities are endless!”

What began in their home kitchen soon required more space, and Cooney’s Mountain Mustard was born.

The business was moved to a food service kitchen that Denny built in their garage.

Production was a family affair. Kim, Denny, and their parents all worked together on nights and weekends to keep up with orders.

Most recently the family has contracted with a food producer who uses the family’s recipe to keep up with orders. The Cooneys still manage the order fulfillment at their home in rural Austin, located in the Dark Skies landscape of the Pennsylvania Wilds.

The family has a sign on their kitchen wall that serves as their motto: Live life with a little spice.

Learn more about Cooney’s Mountain Mustard or leave a review/recommendation on their Wilds Cooperative of PA profile!

*Photos used in this article were taken by Karen Heltzel of Moments in Time Studio as part of the Creative Makers of the Pennsylvania Wilds – A Traveling Public Art Show, which was partly funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

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