Slashfood

• Try Banyuls vinegar!
  

  Filed under: Wine, Stores & Shopping, France, Artisan Foods

  Several weeks ago, I wrote about the many ways to savor sherry wine vinegar. Banyuls vinegar is like sherry wine vinegar's more refined and delicate French cousin. Like Port and sherry wine, Banyuls is a fortified wine which means that alcohol is added to it. Banyuls vinegar develops a walnut flavor, taste of gingerbread and vanilla, and aroma of fresh plums after being aged in wooden barrels for five years. It comes from the Pyrenees, close to Spain. Like sherry wine vinegar, it makes a great vinaigrette.
  
  Where can you find this vinegar?
  You...
  



• 19th Annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival
  

  Filed under: Stores & Shopping, Food News, Summer

  
  Here in Philadelphia, we don't have to stray far from Center City in order to get a hit of Amish country. There are number of Pennsylvania Dutch vendors at Reading Terminal Market who sell jams, jellies, local honeys, fresh produce, meats, cheeses and some of the most amazing baked goods. However, normally the PA Dutch merchants don't call much attention to themselves and stay tucked back in one corner of the Market.
  
  However, this weekend, the PA Dutch merchants take over the whole Market for the 19th Annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. The fest was canceled...
  



• Is Whole Foods' nickname Whole Paycheck appropriate?
  

  Filed under: Business, Stores & Shopping, Artisan Foods, Food News

  
  
  This past Saturday's New York Times had an intriguing article on how Whole Foods is trying to overcome its nickname, Whole Paycheck. Considering the high food prices sweeping the entire nation, this attempt is crucial for the company's survival. Since its financial peak in 2006, Whole Foods' stock has dropped more than 70 percent. The market for organic foods and specialty foods is in trouble.
  
  A report from TNS Retail Forward produced a survey last month that shows that 20 percent of shoppers have altered where they purchase...
  



• People respond: There are great macarons all over the United States
  

  Filed under: Stores & Shopping, Lists, Bakeries, Artisan Foods

  
  
  Last week, I wrote a post asking why I cannot find decent macarons in the United States. Apparently, I'm not looking hard enough. Comments from all over the country revealed people's favorite shops where they buy them. Although I have not yet tried the macarons at all these places, I thought it would be useful to create a U.S. macaron directory.
  
  So far, it looks like most of these places are located in California. Feel free to comment with new shops to add to the directory!
  
  Columbus, Ohio:



• The world's most expensive spice: Iranian Sargol saffron
  

  Filed under: Stores & Shopping, How To, Middle East, Spices

  
  
  There is something magical about saffron. Maybe, it's the striking bright red stigmas that always catch my eye and evoke images of vibrant florid Indian fabrics. Perhaps, I'm struck by its deep aroma that smells of honey with notes of grass and hay. Either way, I'm in love with this spice.
  
  While walking through the colorful Spice Souk in Dubai, I visited several shops where they sell saffron. A merchant showed me different kinds and let me pick up a bundle of the Iranian Sargol saffron from its style, the yellow part of the plant below...
  



• Same day cheese delivery
  

  Filed under: Parties, Cheese, Stores & Shopping, Artisan Foods

  I was walking on Broadway the other day, and I was nearly side-swiped by a peddling man, swerving in a red buggy. Obviously, it was a cheese delivery man.
  
  Artisanal Premium Cheese recently launched their "Same Day Rickshaw Delivery" service in Manhattan, offering patrons between 34th and 63rd streets a 5pm delivery of an assortment of cheeses. Artisanal paired with Revolution Rickshaws (those lanky bicyclists in Central Park who offer romantic carriage rides) to add a little flavor to the service. Why they specifically choose a 29 block radius for cheese delivery? Well,...
  



• Labne: A tasty low-carb Middle Eastern yoghurt
  

  Filed under: Cheese, Stores & Shopping, Health & Medical

  
  Ever since I returned from Dubai, I've become fascinated by Middle Eastern cuisine. A couple of weeks ago, I went to Sahadi's in Brooklyn, and I discovered Labne. Labne is a dense yoghurt eaten in Syria and Lebanon. It's not as tangy as many of the Greek yoghurts I've tried in the past, but it has the same thick texture. You can flavor it with crushed mint and olive oil. Also, it doesn't have nearly as many carbs as most yoghurts. Labne from Karoun Dairies in California has just two grams of carbohydrates in...
  



• Why can't I find decent macarons in the United States?
  

  Filed under: Stores & Shopping, America, France, Bakeries

  Ever since I returned from my school year abroad in Paris, I have been on a quest for delicate luscious creamy macarons. Unfortunately, every time I purchase them in the U.S., I am disappointed.
  
  Why is it so hard to find decent macarons in the United States? The ones at La Maison du Chocolat are not bad. But, they're overwhelmingly chocolatey. Many times, they even taste too greasy.
  
  Yesterday, I went to Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery in Manhattan and was jumping up and down with...
  



• Vegan zombie wear!
  

  Filed under: Stores & Shopping

  
  The above was just too good to ignore. If you enjoyed the awesome Zombie Food Pyramid, you might want want to get out the wallet for some vegan zombies. It makes sense -- while it might not be a cerebral meal, why can't the world have vegan zombies who want ... GRAINNNS!? I mean, non-meat eaters might like zombies too.
  
  The design is currently in the running over at Threadless, courtesy of the punning mind of Dennis Culver. Basically, the site allows you to submit your ideas and designs, and then they pick which ones they want to make. I doubt GRAINNNS won't...
  



• Tea samples: Inexpensively expand your horizons
  

  Filed under: Teas, Stores & Shopping, Lists

  
  When getting into high quality tea, the options can be a bit overwhelming. You can read all the right information about tea preparation, teaware, and all the different types of tea, but knowing what flavors you like and what teas you'll lean toward is an ongoing process that can get pricey if you're buying high quality tea and buying it four or more ounces at a time (typical purchase quantities).
  
  The answer to this dilemma is something that I have a lot of fun with: tea samples. They're relatively cheap (allowing for great varety for the same...