There are few more popular locations to visit in the first six months of a calendar year than Kentucky.
 
Many of the festivities around the first half of the year centre around major social events, with none being as prominent on the calendar as the Kentucky Derby, which is held on the first Saturday of May. You can find more information about the event here: twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/betting/
 
The tourism industry in Kentucky has been booming over the last couple of years, and that shows no sign of stopping, with many internationals coming back annually to treat themselves to the local delicacies.
 
But, what are some of the must-eat options available to tourists in the Kentucky region that must be tested on a trip to the area?

Benedictine

Perhaps one of the most loved delicacies in the local area of Kentucky is Benedictine. The spread is made with cream cheese and cucumbers, and has been a staple of local life in the region since the 20^th century.
 
It is a must-eat item during the week of the Kentucky Derby, and it would be a rarity to not see at least one person digging into a cucumber sandwich. In modern times, it has become most prominent as a dipping sauce, which can be combined with chips or meat.
 
If you’re looking for an immediate hit of Benedictine, it can be purchased directly from grocery stores in the Louisville area. Despite being a major success in the local area, it is rarely seen in restaurants outside of the state of Kentucky.

Blue Mondays

If you’re looking to snack like a local while in Kentucky, then you will need to try the signature product of the Ruth Hunt Candy Company- Blue Mondays.
 
These little treats are the most popular regional sweet, and have been since they were founded over 90 years ago. The treat consists of semi-sweet chocolate covering a soft cream centre, and they immediately melt in your mouth.
 
They remain as popular as ever due to the old-fashioned processing that are completed to create each bar. The hands-on method ensures that every Happy Monday is made with love, and if you’re a massive fan, the Ruth Hunt Candy Factor tour is a must-visit in Mt. Sterling, with tours being run daily.

Bread Pudding

Bread pudding is a popular cuisine across the world, but the U.S. has put its own stamp on it in the Kentucky region. In the state, the pudding is much sweeter than it is anywhere else in the world, and it is served as a dessert with sauce.
 
You can select the sauce that you wish to enjoy with the bread pudding, with whiskey, and caramel being among the most popular in Kentucky. Despite being adopted as its own, bread pudding was originated in the United Kingdom during the eleventh century, as bakers looked to repurpose stale bread.
 
For many years, it became known as the ‘poor man’s pudding’, but that is no longer the case based on the progression made in Kentucky.

Bourbon Balls

Bourbon Balls are one of the most famous delicacies found in the south of the United States, and they have strong connections to Kentucky.
 
The delicacy comes in a range of shapes and sizes, while there is also a wide option in terms of flavour. However, one thing remains a feature of the snack, as they are always bite-sized.
 
The delicacy with invented by Ruth Hanly Booe in 1938, and they remain as popular in this modern day as they have ever been, Many across the state look to make home cooked bourbon balls, which incorporates corn syrup, crushed cookies, and bourbon mixture. If bourbon isn’t your choice of drink, the liquor can also be replaced with vodka or rum.

Derby Pie

It is no surprise that there is a delicacy in the local area focused around one of the most famous events in the region- Derby Pie. The chocolate and walnut custard pie was created by the Melrose Inn in Kentucky by George Kem alongside his parents Leaudra and Walter.
 
It dates back to 1954 when the pastry was selected as the establishment’s speciality dish. Kern’s Kitchen is the only location to get a Derby Pie, as the name of the delicacy was trademarked in 1968. The exact recipe remains a secret to this day, with only a small group of the Kern family knowing the secret ingredient.
 
Aside from the family, one member of the kitchen staff is aware of the secret to making a Derby Pie, and the same member of staff remains in the kitchen to this day. The family have also worked for generations to safeguard their trademarked name, with many looking to leap on the success of the delicacy. There are few better ways to get in the mood for the Kentucky Derby that digging into a pie named after the opening leg of the Triple Crown.

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