It’s Good to Have a Nose: A Story in Photos

http://www.MelJoulwan.com/2009/07/29/its-good-to-have-a-nose-a-story-in-photos/

Sure, it’s not as soaring and breathtaking as Notre Dame, but to me, Penzeys is a sacred place: the Cathedral of Cumin.

Penzeys Spices | meljoulwan.comInside was foodie heaven. Each station included small and large jars of spices to buy, plus a big, square-mouthed apothecary jar to sniff. We started in Spices A-Z and worked our way through Baking to Cinnamon, and from Curry to Salts.

inside Penzeys Spices | meljoulwan.comIn the second nook of A-Z, we found the cumin.

Cumin Seeds in Penzeys Spices | meljoulwan.comEarthy, warm, biting, cumin-y goodness.
Me Smelling Cumin in Penzeys Spices | meljoulwan.comThe nice spice ladies were reluctant at first, but I got them to pose for a photo. When I remarked that the prices were quite low for such fresh, pungent spices, they told me that everyone says that. “Mr. Penzey could charge more, but he won’t,” she said. “He thinks good spices should be available to everyone, so he doesn’t raise the prices.”

Amen.
The Ladies of Penzeys Spices | meljoulwan.com
This is what I decided to take home after smelling almost every jar in the store:

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Comments

  • Barbara says:

    so, you want a good laugh? I purchased my very first jar of curry powder yesterday. Had not a clue what to do with it since um…I don't cook. I ended up dumping it on steamed veggies and snarfing it down. Overall tasty but me thinks there are much better ways to enjoy it. LOL..I'm a cooking dork:(

  • Mindy says:

    mouth is watery!!!!

  • Melicious says:

    Oh, Barbara! Looks like I'm going to have to have you over for a quick spices 'how to.' I mean, you can do what you did, and it's just fine. But if you lovingly finesse those spices, they'll sing.

    Try this next time: Steam your veggies, then put a little olive oil in a pan and heat it gently. Add your spices and let them cook just until they're fragrant — maybe 20-30 seconds, max. Dump the veggies in and heat through. The oil releases the spice magic. The flavors will be rich but not sharp. YUMMY. Bonus points if you add a crushed garlic clove to the oil with the spices, then sprinkle a little sea salt on the veggies when the whole shebang is done.

  • Melicious says:

    Also, get some cumin, for the love of all that is good. And chili powder. You can do a lot with those two things.

  • Barbara says:

    OH…THANK YOU. I promise, I CAN BE TAUGHT!

  • Melicious says:

    I grew up in my dad's restaurant, and my mom is also a phenomenal cook. It's kind of our family "thing." Food questions? Bring 'em on. At least now I can apply my skills to Dino-Chow!

  • Amber says:

    We've got a Penzey's down the way, (like, 20 minutes) and while I have had other people pick things up for me, I still haven't been. Gotta get around to that!

  • Melissa says:

    Penzeys is heaven on earth..enjoy and experiment!!!
    Bon Apetit

  • Melissa says:

    Penzeys is heaven on earth..enjoy and experiment!!!

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