skip to main content

My Penzey's Experience.

17 years ago

I live in Peoria Illinois, where we don't have much as far as "gourmet" stores. I'm in Arizona for the winter and after reading about Penzey's here on the forum, I just had to visit the one in Scottsdale. I wasn't dissapointed. I bought several spices that I have read about from all of you and plan on going back. Just wanted to say Thanks. Sally

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
so lucky to actually browse in the store!
I love my Penzey spices and such...but I have to "guess" at what I may like and add it to my baggie order..LOL
Vivian Kaufman
17 years ago
I went a couple of weeks ago to the Indianapolis store. WHAT a fabulous experience. I absolutely loved it. (There a Trader Joe's in the same shopping center, too!)

Bought the Vietnamese cassia (incredible) and the Russian mix. Their basil was THE most fragrant dried basil I've ever sniffed. LOL Their apple pie spice is great, but I still like the apple pie spice that I got from Williams Sonoma better--although they don't make it anymore. I'm gonna work on that. I think it's the cardamom...

All in all, wonderful place. I'm ready to go back....
Related Discussions
Penzeys - Oh My so much to chose from
Q
Comments (11)
I don't buy common spices from Penzey's, I buy uncommon things I can't get elsewhere. Now for me, (and this is JUST me) that means, in addition to what Deanna posted: Granulated garlic - used in a pinch as a fresh substitute. You have to have something to crush it with if you want to make garlic powder from it. Sandwich sprinkle - (there are other seasoned salts out there but I like this one a lot) Vanilla sugar - (I use it for Chai tea) Hot paprika Various chili powders Caraway - a little of this goes a long way for me, I get the smallest possible jar Fennel seeds for fennel tea - (not a common beverage but my brother who lives in Germany turned me on to it, it is just a tsp. or so of fennel seeds steeped in hot water.) Vanilla beans - used to flavor preserves Mural of Flavor (salt free general seasoning) and I like Tuscan Sunset, which is their Italian blend or the Pasta Sprinkle, which is a similar mixed italian type seasoning. I don't have any experience with their curries or their meat seasoning mixes so I can't advise you on that. I also have a lot of my regular everyday herbs and spices from Penzeys because whenever I make an order for something rare I always fill it in with whatever other spices I need. I used to buy cinnamon stickes, Whole nutmeg pods, cardamom pods and candied ginger from Penzeys but I have found them in bulk at the local produce market so I get them there now. I use all of that stuff to make homeade chai and mulled wine and cider.
...See More
First Trip To A Penzey's Store
Q
Comments (9)
Thanks everyone for your congrats. Yes, one of the transplant team ladies told my DH he was amazing and he truly is. He outlived the time they gave him on 5 by-passes, then when he had another massive heart attack that should have killed him and they told him there was nothing more they could do for him, he kept himself alive long enough to get a doctor to put him on the transplant list and another year and a half to get the transplant. I like to feed him healthy meals and spices can and do have a great place in them. Lakemayor, the Penzey's in Indiana is on 82nd Street, north of Indianapolis. Its got to be in the Castleton area. Jazmynsmon, I wish I had known to visit Vom Fass, The Century House gift shop and well as taking a trip to Orange Tree and Trader Joes. Haven't checked to see if there is a Trader Joes in Indiana, but if there is, I'm sure its many miles from where I live. It had been two years since the last time I got to go with DH to Madison, but I'm beginning to feel like its a place we should move to. By the way, Brennans is a must go to place whenever I'm up there, too.
...See More
What are your favorite spices at Penzeys?
Q
Comments (23)
Oh, thanks Dishes! That's great! It means I can get everything I need there now except the Greek, and I'm pretty sure I can make a decent replica of that myself. Cinnamon - I can't say one is "better" than the other, but they are very different. The Ceylon is mor delicate and bright and traditional to European baking. It has an almost citrus note to it. The Korintje isn't a "true" cinnamon, but a cassia. It's what we're most used to here in the US - a little stronger with a bitterish edge to it. The Vietnamese "cinnamon" (Also a cassia) is extremely aromatic and has a stronger flavor and a bit of sweet heat to it (think heat as in the way ginger has heat, not like jalapeno). Personally, I really like the Vietnamese best, but sometimes I will mix it with the Ceylon. Depends on what I'm making with it. If it were me? I'd get small jars of each and play around with them.
...See More
Penzey's spice order
Q
Comments (33)
there's a Penzey's STORE not too far from me in Philly area. I'm SCARED TO DEATH to go there. have a feeling it would make Whole Paycheck... i mean Whole Foods look tame by comparison?? a few years back made several herb/spice blends as part of Christmas goodie basket gifts. could cut WAY back on salt in mixes. when you buy something like "lemon pepper" seasoning and first ingredient is SALT... what's with that?
...See More
sally2_gw
17 years ago
Hey, another Sally - wohooo!

We have a Penzy's here in Dallas, just a few blocks from the Whole Foods I go to. They're both about 10 miles from me, so I only go when I have a long list of needs and wants. I love the place. I've gotten white and black peppercorns, the Vietnamese cassia, (which has spoiled me as far as cinnamon goes) and kosher salt. Oh, and vanilla, too. Gotta make sure you've eaten before going there, though, or you'll buy out the store! lol

Sally
wizardnm
17 years ago
I love Penzey's! Just finished placing an order this morning. Vanilla to die for and cinnamon and I love using their Buttermilk Ranch seasoning in potato salad. I've never been disappointed in anything I've purchased.

Nancy
annie1992
17 years ago
Nancy, I have some of that buttermilk ranch seasoning, thanks for the suggestion on how to use it.

I love Penzey's too, and we actually have one about 50 miles from me, so that makes me happy. It's right next to the Chuck E Cheese, LOL, so when I take The Princess and Bruvver to see the giant rat, I console myself with a side trip to Penzey's.....

Annie

Related Stories

DECLUTTERING Foolproof Ways to Declutter Your Kitchen

If you find yourself fumbling through cupboards to find what you’re looking for, it’s time to take action with these simple steps

KITCHEN STORAGE How to Add a Pullout Spice Rack

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Keep spices neat and free of kitchen grime by giving them a well-organized home in your cabinets

Sponsored

17 Reviews

The Leading Interior Design Studio in Franklin County

More Discussions

Stirfry tonight

10

Fifteen days in beautiful Scotland

22

Be still my palate!

8

Tortillas tonight

12

Jamaican Jerk - It's not just chicken and pork

3