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1st trip to Penzey's on Sunday/What are 'must buys'?

15 years ago

Only recently (from this forum) have I heard about Penzey's. I discovered there's one in Arlington, MA, and since we have to make a trip to Boston on Sunday, I am planning a stop.

I know many of you are big fans. Are there any items you can think of that I just must try?

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Comments (13)

annie1992
15 years ago
Oh my, you're going to have so much fun.

I love their Vietnamese cassia cinnamon, their 4 peppercorn blend, the new Mural of Flavor, their smoked paprika. My boss can't live without their hot vindaloo seasoning.

Oh, and at least SMELL the almond extract, it's like heaven in a bottle.

Annie
malna
15 years ago
Thank goodness I don't have one near me - I do enough damage ordering online :-)

My staples (and DH has warned me NOT to run out of these) are:
Garlic powder
Cinnamon (they're all great)
Chile Powder (Medium Hot)
Balti Seasoning
Guajillo Peppers (if you're into Mexican food)
Cumin (can you tell we like Mexican?)
Northwoods Seasoning
Onion Powder
Black Tellicherry Peppercorns
White Muntok Peppercorns
Paprika (both Hungarian kinds and Smoked)
Country French Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Shallot Pepper Seasoning
Vanilla Extract (I bought single-wish I'd bought double)
Natural Wasabi with Pure Wasabi Powder (if you like sushi or to put on seared tuna)
Soup Bases (we've tried the chicken, beef, and seafood)

So far, the only thing we're not crazy about is the Raspberry Enlightenment (probably because we have our own home-grown raspberries in the freezer).
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teresa_nc7
15 years ago
My must-keep-on-hand favorites are:

Sandwich Sprinkle
Pizza Seasoning
Ozark Seasoning
Chile Powder medium
Ground red chiles
Tuscan Sunset
Terri_PacNW
15 years ago
Smoked Paprika
Sandwich Sprinkle
Cajun Style Seasoning
Northwoods Fire
Ancho Chile Powder
Chicken Taco (for all "taco"ish dishes even beef or pork)
Buttermilk Dressing
I love their cocoa powders too...
but the above lists are must from Penzey's..
I also like their Hungarian Paprika, Canadian Mustard, Celery Salt, Cardamom...
grainlady_ks
15 years ago
Fox Point - I add it to the dough for sandwich rolls, but it has a lot of uses as a seasoning for vegetables, poultry, fish and salads.

Cake Spice - Great for coffee cake, spice cake, quick breads, French toast...

Salsa Salad Seasoning - season fresh salsa, black bean or green salads.

Italian Herb Mix

Pizza Seasoning

Country French Vinaigrette Dressing Base

As well as many already mentioned above...

-Grainlady
ruthanna_gw
15 years ago
My top three Penzey's items are:

Fines Herbes
Maharajah Curry Powder
Smoked Paprika
Gina_W
15 years ago
Get what you like in bulk, then buy a bunch of stuff "to try" in the small jars. I love their small jars - I don't like to buy too much of something I don't use often.
jazmynsmom
15 years ago
Most of my favorites have been mentioned already. I have an annoyingly (at times) task-oriented husband. (This story does have a point, I promise!) He runs errands with literal precision that baffles me: Not only will he not "stop and smell the roses," but he won't notice the roses if I don't point them out. So I sent him into Penzey's with a three item list and explicit instructions to open at least 20 jars, smell the contents, and buy anything else that appealed to him. He came home with some fun discoveries that led to some interesting meals.

So my recommendation to you would be to open and sniff as many jars as possible especially if the spices are unfamiliar, or you can't imagine why anyone would buy them! Also, if you go at a non-busy time, engage the (knowledgeable) staff in conversation about their favorite spices, or their favorite ways of using a non-familiar one.

Oh, and if you leave the store without a big bottle of Vietnamese cassia cinnamon, you have wasted a wonderful opportunity!
goldgirl
15 years ago
Has anyone been to the Philly store? This post is giving me the urge to try and get there this weekend before school starts!

Sue
amck2
Original Author
15 years ago
Can't wait!!
compumom
15 years ago
Agreed:
Smoked and Sweet Paprika
Double Vanilla
Mural of Flavor
Vietnamese Cinnamon
Cocoa
Shallot Pepper (not the salt)

Also try:
Turkish seasoning (great on grilled foods or steamed veggies)
Greek Seasoning
Bonne Herbs
Chicago Grill Seasoning
Dried Shallots
Dried Parsely
Salad Sprinkle (especially for egg salad)
Florida Pepper (a citrus-y taste)
Chili powder
Sumac
Celery leaves (great for soup making)
Etc!
ENJOY!
dlynn2
15 years ago
If you use dried rosemary, instead of fresh, theirs is the best I have ever tried. It's very strong and flavorful, so I would recommend getting a small amount of it.
foodonastump
15 years ago
compumom - Thanks for the rec on Greek seasoning. Last time I was there I could have sworn I bought it, but I must have put it down. Will give it a shot.

I have to be honest, I'm not sure that my palate is sophisticated enough to tell the difference between Penzey's or McCormick gourmet. But the prices are good, everyone says it's good, and the store seems like it needs support so at this point 90% of my spices are bought there.

I love their Aleppo Pepper.

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