food shopping, of a sort

[redbird]

I just ordered dried lemon peel, caraway seeds, and the Penzey's sunny Paris seasoning blend, plus two Penzey's gift cards because they're on sale: two $25 gift cards for $37.50 instead of $50. In the past, I've used those discount gift cards quickly enough that it's been well worth giving Penzey's what amounts to a short-term loan with a pretty good effective interest rate.

It's not as convenient to shop there as when Adrian lived in Arlington (less than a mile away on Mass. Ave, an easy trip on the 77 bus. Penzey's makes a few herb and spice blends that we use regularly, and I don't have another convenient source for dried lemon peel or smoked paprika.

Also, I like their politics: liberal rather than radical, but there's no "both sides" nonsense in their denunciation of Trump and the Republican party as it is now, in just about every email along with recipes and which spices are on sale this week.

Comments

[otter]

I like Penzey's too. As a source for yummy things and because they are out loud about their politics as a company in a lefterly direction.

[minoanmiss]

Yay Penzey's!

[sine_nomine]

I was a serious Penzey's fan but Sweetheart favored Gneiss Spice... so I'd balance my orders between the two of them. Until recently - when we'd used up the Penzey's Sichuan peppercorns (very ho-hum and we used LOTS of them because they just weren't adding the expected heat, even when warmed in oil first) and we ordered some from Gneiss (along with a few other things). OMG. Night and Day. Fruity, Warm-smelling and just the right heat (they're my sub for chiles as I don't eat nightshades) that is clearly a) going to take less than Penzey's did and b) is going to ramp up easily when I want it to.

So I love Penzey's politics - and the only store in the state is an easy drive - but I think I've been won over. Just as soon as I use up my latest Penzey's order (which was huge; Bill ran that "Get $2 off 1/4 jars" sale and OMG I restocked).

[ranunculus]

I highly recommend Burlap and Barrel. Yes mail order. Their Zanzibar pepper is absolutely amazing. Even my more than a year old oregano buds are fragrant and useful. Not necessarily cheap, but worth it. Oh and I love their approach to the world.

[lisajulie]

Yes! Yes! Burlap and Barrel are wonderful.

[mrissa]

Also a Burlap and Barrel fan here.

[sine_nomine]

YES! I have a few things of theirs... cinnamon and garlic and something else, I think. Got multiple bottles at remarkable prices when they partnered with Equal Exchange. I should look at their current catalog.

[azurelunatic]

And they employ a family member of at least one person in your circle!

[nancylebov]

Penzey's is good, but I also recommend Burlap and Barrel, and Auntie Arwen's spices as both having better spices. Auntie Arwen's is the only source I know of for medieval mixes.

[nancylebov]

I especially like B&B's Robusta pepper and Auntie Arwen's A Blast of Dill.

Off to check on Gneiss Spices.