Spice Island

We went across town to the new Penzey's in Clackamas for the first time today. Would you believe that it was Chad who felt the need for this trip? Really! It was. He has an Imperial Bourbon Vanilla Porter fermenting away and he needed vanilla beans. And no one could beat the price of Penzey's Mexican beans in bulk. Why Mexican beans vs. the famous Madagascar? I just think the vanilla flavor is way more intense in Mexican beans but to each his own, eh?

Just because Chad needed vanilla was no reason for me to feel left out. In addition to the aforementioned beans, we also resupplied my spice cabinet with Turkish oregano, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, and a Bangkok spice blend that looked interesting. This was the first time I've ever been in a bricks & mortar Penzey's and I must say, it did not disappoint,