Penzey’s Embrace Hope gift box
I have been a customer and a fan of Penzey’s for a very long time. I first ran across them when I made a foray into selling mail order foods and wanted to suss out the competition, way back in the 1980s. Many a new married couple has received a starter box of Penzey’s spices from me such as this one, charmingly packaged with loose (and entirely usable) bay leaves, cinnamon sticks and nutmegs. More recently Penzey’s has opened retail stores, and it was a favorite activity of my mother to have me drive her to the shop in Inwood Village on the Miracle Mile.
But, what does this have to do with our Food for Thought category, which is about books and blogs? Well, this past weekend Penzey’s gave away a gift box called Embrace Hope that contained an Embrace Hope lapel pin, a Kind Heart refrigerator magnet, a vial of Mexican vanilla, a jar of pico seasoning to make fresh salsa, and this printed message:
America is an immigrant nation. It is the strength of immigration that has propelled us from just another colony to leadership among the free world. One of the greatest gifts America receives from each new wave of immigrants is an ever refreshing sense of hope, that from our Spice travels we can tell you is so rare in most everywhere else around the globe. To see America through the eyes of immigrants is to see an almost magical place where, no matter where or who you were born, your hard work can amount to something, ane even better—a place where your children can receive an honest opportunity to earn a better future.
Each new wave of immigrants brings with it their own unique culture. We are so lucky to live in a time where the traditions of the wave we get to experience are so rich, and so very tasty, too. Please take a moment to celebrate the kindness they bring, appreciate how much they’ve given up to be here, and embrace the hope at the heart of their journey. They are our future. Now is the time to thank them.
On Facebook, Bill Penzey had a much longer and more pointed statement which is available here. I hope you will give it a read. I am not going to turn this blog into a political forum—we have enough of those—but I do want to point out that whether you are drawn here by Pennsylvania Dutch (not Amish!) tripe, hill country smoked brisket, Korean chicken wings or Utica Greens, you are eating immigrant cooking.
The Embrace Hope gift box is still available online, at Penzey’s regular price of $31.95. It is a small enough contribution to support these excellent folks and get some quality goods for your kitchen.
If you prefer to shop in person and are in the Capital District of upstate NY, Penzey’s can be found in Albany’s Stuyvestant Plaza. The Inwood Village store is gone but there’s a Dallas location in the Galleria at 12835 Preston Road. See the store locator page for other areas.
Bill Penzey opened a store in Anaheim a couple of years ago. That was my first introduction to these fine folks. Their store is bright open and operated by cheerful, knowledgeable people who make you feel at home when you shop. The herbs and spices from this store are filled with flavor and aroma. I enjoy using their oregano and pure extracts. It is a treat for me to purchase from this wonder filled store. Every time I stop in they add something for me to try to my basket of purchases. More often than not I discover a new spice blend that is pleasing. I prefer to mix my own spices generally. Penzey’s is the best. It does not hurt that he supports the people against the oligarchs.
I picked up a jar of Turkish oregano when I was in the store for my Embrace Hope box. It had a stronger aroma than their Mexican or generic oreganos. I am going to try it on one of my favorite grilled fish preps, where mackerel are briefly marinated in red wine vinegar that has had oregano soaking in it then brushed with olive oil and broiled.
This is a nice tribute to someone who really deserves it. I admire Bill Penzey for standing up for, not only immigrants, but all other minority groups. Thank you for your kind words about the wonderful products and the fine man.
You are very welcome Janice. We need more like Bill Penzey for sure and we need to support the ones we have.
Bill Penzey makes great spices but calling the President and republicans Nazis is both unhelpful, inaccurate and it devalues the actual suffering of the millions of people who actually suffered under their rule. Leave the rhetoric…take the spices….
Pill is referring to Bill Penzy’s Facebook statement, which is available here: https://www.facebook.com/Penzeys/posts/10156652232602834:0
I discovered Penzeys Sweet Ginger Bits and have been devastated at being without for months. However I am now re supplied and also with Australian Sweet Ginger
I am cursed with debilitating bouts of nausea. The only thing to help is this product. I nibble on some ginger bits and soon the nausea disapears
Thankyou. Thankyou. For great product
Thank you Glenys. Glad you have your ginger again. For folks in the Capital District, the Albany store is again open for contactless pickup.