what is so great about penzey's?

[mb]

around this BB, i've seen penzey's come up an awful lot. i don't mean to sound naive, but what makes penzey's so wonderful? or rather, why should i buy my spices from there vs. the supermarket? just wondering! :)

[KathrynY]

I often find that the spices I buy at the supermarket are on the stale side, and they're also quite expensive. The spices I buy from Penzey's are always fresh and flavorful, and their prices are much more reasonable. Penzey's offers most spices in several different sized containers, so you can buy the quantity that suits your needs. Plus they have a lot of fun varieties my grocery store does not carry. :)

[Mamasue]

Prices.....more flavorful (almost fresh taste).....different varieties......hard to find spices/herbs.....can buy in small quantities to sample....etc...etc....etc. :D I don't buy from the supermarkets any more unless I am really desperate for something I don't have and need it now. Oh, and you can't beat the quick service and wonderful packaging. I love the addition of the nutmegs in the packaging! :D

[luv2cook]

I agree. Flavor, size, service.

[SandyM]

I echo everyone else's comments. Take your grocery store basil and hold it up to Penzey's, and just smell......you can tell the difference.

It got a poor rating from Cooks Illustrated, but I'm hooked on the Vietnamese Cinnamon from Penzeys.

In fact, I'm not-so-patiently waiting for my next Penzeys order to arrive!! :D

[Jewel]

Better flavor, better selection, better prices, and MUCH more quantity for your money. Why spend $6 a bottle for old cinnamon when you can spend $5 for a bigger bottle of gourmet Vietnamese Cinnamon? No brainer... I've been very pleased!! :D

[Wendy w]

I get catalogs from both Penzey's and the Spice House and have only used the Spice House thus far but they are very similar. I believe that the Spice House is a branch of the Penzey family. I agree with everything said here and I want to add that the customer service is wonderful and I have always received my orders in a timely manner.

I am especially pleased with their almond extract. The Schilling brand is over $5.00 for only 1 ounce and the Spice House's was 3 ounces for around $4.50. The peppercorn dressing mix is wonderful too, I like to add it to plain yogurt and low fat sour cream to make a dip. It is great on baked potatoes too.

[mb]

well, i just ordered a catalog... maybe i'll be the next one to be hooked on penzeys!

i think some of my dried herbs are a little stale, and i'm almost out of vanilla extract... maybe i'll give penzey's a try!

thanks for your input, everyone!
marisa :)

[Linda in MO]

You won't be disappointed. Greek seasoning is my new favorite! I bought the 4 oz. bag not too long ago and I'm almost out of it now. I also always order the pizza seasoning, basil, Madagascar vanilla beans, adobo seasoning, cumin, China cassia cinnamon, etc.