> wrote in message
...
> On 10 Jan 2005 11:08:15 -0800, "
> > wrote:
>
>>Lewt me guess - you shop at Casa Acoreana in Kensington Market?
>
> Among others. I like their large packages of knorr chicken bouillon,
> and that I can get decent bouillon cubes in a wide range of other
> flavours. (Yum, mushroom. Yum, fish stocks) I hit them once or twice
> a year when I'm down in the area.
>
> I live in south etobicoke, overlooking the Humber River. The area is
> heavily polish, russian, ukrainian, with a generational smatter of
> italian and portuguese. My home cooking is heavily asian influenced,
> with a smattering of prairie chinese, and a residue of acadian. The
> wok lives on the stove.
>
> Grant's (a large chinese supermarket just over the western border of
> the city in Mississauga, named after the US $50 dollar bill) also have
> ample Asian and South Asian seasonings, and their turnover is high. Is
> handier for me than Kensington. I usually do a shopping run in Little
> India on Gerrard East when I'm down there.... where else can I get 1
> kg bags of cumin seed?
>
> Yes, I am spoiled compared to many in other parts of the Great White
> North. But then, I also fresh roast my whole spices before grinding,
> and I find that makes a huge difference, even with spices that are a
> "little long in the tooth".
>
> Seriously, what_ is_ the draw of Penzey's? I'm asking out of
> curiousity. I've been there, but I want to understand what pulls
> people in to pay the premium. We don't use mail-order as much on this
> side of the border as on the Yank side (although it has gone up with
> online sales) and therefore, tend to rely on what can be sourced
> locally. It's not worth my while to order from an American supplier
> unless it is a really big order, as we are charged duty, brokerage and
> sales taxes on incoming product. Most cities of any size have
> ethnicly oriented stores, and decent seasonings can be got there
> affordably if you know what you are looking for.. Even when I lived in
> Lethbridge, the local chinese/south asian store had large fresh
> quantities cheap.
>

I'd say the draw is two things. First, Penzey's generally has high quality
merchandise, and second it is convenient to order everything from one place
and have it delivered to your door. Also, many USAians do not live near
reliable sources of good spices. Toronto is unusual in having such a wide
range of ethnic sources. I just returned from a visit - my wife's family
lives there. I am always tempted to stuff my suitcases with food, like from
the cheese shop in "Greektown" on Danforth that had my mouth watering! We
did bring back a big piece of peameal bacon.


--
Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.



--
Peter Aitken

Remove the crap from my email address before using.

On 10 Jan 2005 11:08:15 -0800, "
> wrote:

>Lewt me guess - you shop at Casa Acoreana in Kensington Market?

Among others. I like their large packages of knorr chicken bouillon,
and that I can get decent bouillon cubes in a wide range of other
flavours. (Yum, mushroom. Yum, fish stocks) I hit them once or twice
a year when I'm down in the area.

I live in south etobicoke, overlooking the Humber River. The area is
heavily polish, russian, ukrainian, with a generational smatter of
italian and portuguese. My home cooking is heavily asian influenced,
with a smattering of prairie chinese, and a residue of acadian. The
wok lives on the stove.

Grant's (a large chinese supermarket just over the western border of
the city in Mississauga, named after the US $50 dollar bill) also have
ample Asian and South Asian seasonings, and their turnover is high. Is
handier for me than Kensington. I usually do a shopping run in Little
India on Gerrard East when I'm down there.... where else can I get 1
kg bags of cumin seed?

Yes, I am spoiled compared to many in other parts of the Great White
North. But then, I also fresh roast my whole spices before grinding,
and I find that makes a huge difference, even with spices that are a
"little long in the tooth".

Seriously, what_ is_ the draw of Penzey's? I'm asking out of
curiousity. I've been there, but I want to understand what pulls
people in to pay the premium. We don't use mail-order as much on this
side of the border as on the Yank side (although it has gone up with
online sales) and therefore, tend to rely on what can be sourced
locally. It's not worth my while to order from an American supplier
unless it is a really big order, as we are charged duty, brokerage and
sales taxes on incoming product. Most cities of any size have
ethnicly oriented stores, and decent seasonings can be got there
affordably if you know what you are looking for.. Even when I lived in
Lethbridge, the local chinese/south asian store had large fresh
quantities cheap.

Shirley Hicks
Toronto, Ontario

They are cheaper than the local supermarket.
Fresher than what most people can get.
All in one place.
Whole office can order together, divvy up at lunch and smell each
other's purchases/recipes.
I like having 4 kinds of cinnamon and cassia in my cupboard.
French basil kicks ass.
Cumin and cardi and coriander and clove all got raves for quality from
my ex-IL, Panjabis who have shopped/eaten whereever their zillions of
rellies live, including Toronto. (This was the ONLY thing I ever
introduced them to that they raved over, although they did like spagetti
squash sabji.)
One gets used to certain blends. I know just what the Greek seasoning
can do, and how much to use.
I'm sure I'll think of other things....oh, and loyality for the people
who taught me so much in the calls and emails I've headed their way.
Heck, I sent them Aleppo pepper and ajwain and zatar, and oddly the
product always appeared in the next few months.

I say, give their French basil and true cinn. and mexican oregano (if
you make chili) a try.
blacksalt
can't get them to stock whole fenugreek, however.

"B. Kildow" > wrote:

>I have to concur on the convenience. A local store here has begun
>carrying some more unusual spices and such, but the closest "big" city
>where I can find everything I might want to get is Seattle. 59 miles
>away from me or a 2.5-3 hour drive during rush hour (rush hour beginning
>about 5am and tapering off at about 10am and then restarting at about
>2pm and running to about 7pm).

<nods> While I have an easier time getting to Seattle (just hop on
the ferry), it's still a huge hunk of time and money to pick up a few
dollars worth of spices at Pike.

Having a box come straight to the door is so convenient.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

"B. Kildow" > wrote:

>Derek Lyons wrote:
>
>> "B. Kildow" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I have to concur on the convenience. A local store here has begun
>>>carrying some more unusual spices and such, but the closest "big" city
>>>where I can find everything I might want to get is Seattle. 59 miles
>>>away from me or a 2.5-3 hour drive during rush hour (rush hour beginning
>>>about 5am and tapering off at about 10am and then restarting at about
>>>2pm and running to about 7pm).
>>
>> <nods> While I have an easier time getting to Seattle (just hop on
>> the ferry), it's still a huge hunk of time and money to pick up a few
>> dollars worth of spices at Pike.
>>
>> Having a box come straight to the door is so convenient.
>>
>> D.
>And we both forgot to mention the parking--there isn't any. Or, if you
>*can* find a spot, it's something like 5 bucks for an hour in a parking
>lot.

At least on my part... That's because I don't park, at least not
Seattleside. (Over here 5 bucks nets me 8 hours worth of parking.) I
park here and walk on, thus saving both the insane Seattle parking and
the massive costs to take a car on the Ferry.

>For good Asian stuff (including fresh longans when they're in
>season and real, honest to goodness fresh, ripe Philippine mangoes), the
>"99 Ranch" store in the very south end of Renton is worth a drive.

I hit up Uwajimaya, take the trolley to Pioneer Square, then walk.
(Though sometimes we take the car and park there, then drive back
around hitting Freighthouse Square or the Krispy Kreme on the way.)

>*And* they have a huge parking lot. I still don't understand the store
>name, though. And it's dangerously near a quick trip over to Border's
>Books........

99 Ranch is named after the ranch the fruit stand that preceded the
market was located at. (So says my sister who lives in the area of
the original store. YMMV.)

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 20:16:53 -0800, kalanamak >
wrote:

>They are cheaper than the local supermarket.
>Fresher than what most people can get.
>All in one place.
>Whole office can order together, divvy up at lunch and smell each
>other's purchases/recipes.
>I like having 4 kinds of cinnamon and cassia in my cupboard.
>French basil kicks ass.
>Cumin and cardi and coriander and clove all got raves for quality from
>my ex-IL, Panjabis who have shopped/eaten whereever their zillions of
>rellies live, including Toronto. (This was the ONLY thing I ever
>introduced them to that they raved over, although they did like spagetti
>squash sabji.)
>One gets used to certain blends. I know just what the Greek seasoning
>can do, and how much to use.
> I'm sure I'll think of other things....oh, and loyality for the people
>who taught me so much in the calls and emails I've headed their way.
>Heck, I sent them Aleppo pepper and ajwain and zatar, and oddly the
>product always appeared in the next few months.
>
>I say, give their French basil and true cinn. and mexican oregano (if
>you make chili) a try.
>blacksalt

Thanks, that answers the question. The 'merkin bf has one where he
lives, and I had been idly turning over the idea of visiting when I
was next down there. I guess the fine art will be choosing what is
worthwhile.

I have access to www.richters.com northeast of the city for both seed
(growing) live and dried herbs and spices.. and their available dried
stock gives Penzey's a run for their money. They do mail order within
Canada and overseas.

BTW, for those of you with some growing space, I highly recommend
having a herb patch somewhere on the property. I grow mine on the
balcony on a vertical trellis system, balcony railing boxes and in two
end-of-balcony large boxes. The co-ownership co-op has an additional
patch on the only section of property that gets enough sunlight (we
have trees) and it is heavily used.

I grow _alot_ of basil, five varieties last summer, plus thyme,
oregano, margoram, chives, mint, and nasturium. I have access to more
as well at the PU's place, including lovage and four varieties of
mint.

Shirley Hicks
Toronto, Ontario

Derek Lyons wrote:

snipping for length

>>And we both forgot to mention the parking--there isn't any. Or, if you
>>*can* find a spot, it's something like 5 bucks for an hour in a parking
>>lot.
>
>
> At least on my part... That's because I don't park, at least not
> Seattleside. (Over here 5 bucks nets me 8 hours worth of parking.) I
> park here and walk on, thus saving both the insane Seattle parking and
> the massive costs to take a car on the Ferry.

You are a wise person! Too many one-way streets that always seem to be
going the opposite direction of where I want to go. I can park down
here (Oly) in a lot for 50 cents an hour or on the street with a parking
meter with the first 20 (or so) minutes free.
>
>
>>For good Asian stuff (including fresh longans when they're in
>>season and real, honest to goodness fresh, ripe Philippine mangoes), the
>>"99 Ranch" store in the very south end of Renton is worth a drive.
>
>
> I hit up Uwajimaya, take the trolley to Pioneer Square, then walk.
> (Though sometimes we take the car and park there, then drive back
> around hitting Freighthouse Square or the Krispy Kreme on the way.)

I love Uwajimaya and the bookstore on the top floor (whose name is
escaping me at the moment).
>
>
>>*And* they have a huge parking lot. I still don't understand the store
>>name, though. And it's dangerously near a quick trip over to Border's
>>Books........
>
>
> 99 Ranch is named after the ranch the fruit stand that preceded the
> market was located at. (So says my sister who lives in the area of
> the original store. YMMV.)

Thank you! I always wondered where the name came from. It's a great
place for fresh asian-type produce, spice mixes, canned stuff and fish.
Mmmmmmmmm....almost longan time.....mmmmmm..... ROAD TRIP!!!

BK
>
> D.

"B. Kildow" > wrote:

>> I hit up Uwajimaya, take the trolley to Pioneer Square, then walk.
>> (Though sometimes we take the car and park there, then drive back
>> around hitting Freighthouse Square or the Krispy Kreme on the way.)
>
>I love Uwajimaya and the bookstore on the top floor (whose name is
>escaping me at the moment).

You haven't been there in a loooong time then... They've built a
new one a block south of the old one, the bookstore is on the side
now. (And the food court is to die for.)

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

Derek Lyons wrote:
> "B. Kildow" > wrote:
>
>
>>>I hit up Uwajimaya, take the trolley to Pioneer Square, then walk.
>>>(Though sometimes we take the car and park there, then drive back
>>>around hitting Freighthouse Square or the Krispy Kreme on the way.)
>>
>>I love Uwajimaya and the bookstore on the top floor (whose name is
>>escaping me at the moment).
>
>
> You haven't been there in a loooong time then... They've built a
> new one a block south of the old one, the bookstore is on the side
> now. (And the food court is to die for.)
>
> D.
No, it's been a couple of years. There was a food court of sorts at
that time, but the bookstore was still on the 2nd floor.
Hmmmmmm...maybe when the Mariners are back playing, I can convince Mike
we need to make a trek downtown. That new food court is sounding
awfully tempting and I'd rather eat there or F.X. McRorys than eat
beforehand than eat inside Safeco.

BK