Thread: Changes at Penzeys?

In article
<[email protected]i>,
Ranée at Arabian Knits <[email protected]> wrote:

> Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
> something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
>
> Regards,
> Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>
> "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>
> http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
2006 when I seem to have acquired it.

--
Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
Holy Order of the Sacred Sisters of St. Pectina of Jella
"Always in a jam, never in a stew; sometimes in a pickle."
Pepparkakor particulars posted 11-29-2010;
http://web.me.com/barbschaller

In article <[email protected]>,
Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:

> In article
> <[email protected]i>,
> Ranée at Arabian Knits <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> > red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
> > going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
> > telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
> > something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Ranee @ Arabian Knits
> >
> > "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
> >
> > http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>
> Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.

This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently.
Last week? I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
just a different supplier. When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
not the same, and not better.

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

On Apr 7, 1:58*pm, Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> * *We buy most of our spices through Oregon Spice Company from Azure
> Standard, because they are good and inexpensive. *However, there are
> some we get from Penzeys because we can't get them either from Azure or
> from Fred Meyer's bulk bins. *Like chipotle powder. *
>
> * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *I was just
> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
> something. *Has anyone else noticed a change?
>
> Regards,
> Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>
> "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>
> http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

Can't say I have, but you should definitely contact them- they have
such good customer service, and I would think they would want to
know...

Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> In article
>> <[email protected]i>,
>> Ranée at Arabian Knits <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>>> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
>>> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
>>> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
>>> something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>>>
>>> "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>>>
>>> http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>> Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
>> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.
>
> This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently.
> Last week? I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
> just a different supplier. When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
> not the same, and not better.
>


It really sounds like they sent you the wrong thing. :-(

I buy big bags of chipotles at a Mexican grocery store that's on my
way home from work. I like using them dried much better than the
canned ones. (the "morita" chipotles are awfully hot; usually that's a
good thing but not always. I should buy a little package of the tan
"cigar butt" type next time)

-Bob

"zxcvbob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:
>> In article <[email protected]>,
>> Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> In article
>>> <a[email protected]>,
>>> Ranée at Arabian Knits <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>>>> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
>>>> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
>>>> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
>>>> something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>>>>
>>>> "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>>>>
>>>> http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>>> Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
>>> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.
>>
>> This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently.
>> Last week? I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
>> just a different supplier. When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
>> not the same, and not better.
>>
>
>
> It really sounds like they sent you the wrong thing. :-(
>
> I buy big bags of chipotles at a Mexican grocery store that's on my way
> home from work. I like using them dried much better than the canned ones.
> (the "morita" chipotles are awfully hot; usually that's a good thing but
> not always. I should buy a little package of the tan "cigar butt" type
> next time)
>
> -Bob
>
>
I'm for the same thing. We buy all chili spices at a local Mexican market,
in bulk, and at very good prices. If you have one in your area, head over
there before you do anything.

Kent

On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 13:58:24 -0700, Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:

> We buy most of our spices through Oregon Spice Company from Azure
> Standard, because they are good and inexpensive. However, there are
> some we get from Penzeys because we can't get them either from Azure or
> from Fred Meyer's bulk bins. Like chipotle powder.
>
> Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
> something. Has anyone else noticed a change?

I know the answer. There's at least one other person that does as
I've heard it mentioned once before in a different context. Maybe
they'll see your post and tell you what you really have and why. It
is what your ordered.

-sw

In article
<[email protected]>,
merryb <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Apr 7, 1:58*pm, Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > * *We buy most of our spices through Oregon Spice Company from Azure
> > Standard, because they are good and inexpensive. *However, there are
> > some we get from Penzeys because we can't get them either from Azure or
> > from Fred Meyer's bulk bins. *Like chipotle powder. *
> >
> > * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> > red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *I was just
> > going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
> > telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
> > something. *Has anyone else noticed a change?
> >
>
> Can't say I have, but you should definitely contact them- they have
> such good customer service, and I would think they would want to
> know...

I did, and they got the lot/batch number from me and are sending a
different one. Evidently, there was a not so great batch that they got
from a supplier (they said that it was fortunately a small one) that was
that color and not so smokey with a different smell.

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

In article <[email protected]>,
zxcvbob <[email protected]> wrote:

> It really sounds like they sent you the wrong thing. :-(

That's what I thought at first, but it smells _almost_ right.
Evidently, they got a bad batch.

> I buy big bags of chipotles at a Mexican grocery store that's on my
> way home from work. I like using them dried much better than the
> canned ones. (the "morita" chipotles are awfully hot; usually that's a
> good thing but not always. I should buy a little package of the tan
> "cigar butt" type next time)

I much prefer them dried or powdered to canned. The canned ones
always taste a little weird to me, I think it might just be the adobo
sauce.

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/

On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:03:52 -0700, Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:

> I much prefer them dried or powdered to canned. The canned ones
> always taste a little weird to me, I think it might just be the adobo
> sauce.

If you like chewing tabacco, then you like canned chipotles. I'll use
them in a watered down sauce or marinade for their stronger flavor -
flavor I can't get using dried/ground peppers without delivering too
much heat.

-sw

On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:08 -0700, Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:

> In article
> <cc72958d-4776-4c41-967b-b103e0b0680c@d2g2000yq[email protected]>,
> merryb <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Apr 7, 1:58*pm, Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> * *We buy most of our spices through Oregon Spice Company from Azure
>>> Standard, because they are good and inexpensive. *However, there are
>>> some we get from Penzeys because we can't get them either from Azure or
>>> from Fred Meyer's bulk bins. *Like chipotle powder. *
>>>
>>> * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>>> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *I was just
>>> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
>>> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
>>> something. *Has anyone else noticed a change?
>>>
>>
>> Can't say I have, but you should definitely contact them- they have
>> such good customer service, and I would think they would want to
>> know...
>
> I did, and they got the lot/batch number from me and are sending a
> different one. Evidently, there was a not so great batch that they got
> from a supplier (they said that it was fortunately a small one) that was
> that color and not so smokey with a different smell.

They lied to you. And you called them on it. They're trying to
substitute inferior chiles that are easier and quicker to produce.
Most spice companies are doing this now and it looks like Penzy's is
testing the waters, too. They're still technically a chipotle. And
next time order it I'll bet it's the same bright red. The price of
good quality chipotles has gone up since it became a food marketing
buzzword.

xvcbob (or however spell it) almost told you the answer. However, the
newest breed of smoked jalapenos are even cheaper than morita/mora
chiles.

-sw

-sw

-sw

On Apr 7, 6:12*pm, Sqwertz <swe...@cluemail.compost> wrote:
> On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:03:52 -0700, Ran e at Arabian Knits wrote:
>
> > * *I much prefer them dried or powdered to canned. *The canned ones
> > always taste a little weird to me, I think it might just be the adobo
> > sauce.
>
> If you like chewing tabacco, then you like canned chipotles. *I'll use
> them in a watered down sauce or marinade for their stronger flavor -
> flavor I can't get using dried/ground peppers without delivering too
> much heat.

"Chewing tobacco" is a good description. I'd never use those things.
I really don't want peppers smoked by someone else anyway, even the
dried.
>
> -sw

--Bryan

On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:16:58 -0700, Ranée at Arabian Knits
<[email protected]> wrote:

>In article <[email protected]>,
> Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> In article
>> <[email protected]i>,
>> Ranée at Arabian Knits <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> > Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>> > red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
>> > going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
>> > telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
>> > something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>> >
>> > "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>> >
>> > http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>>
>> Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
>> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.
>
> This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently.
>Last week? I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
>just a different supplier. When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
>not the same, and not better.

I got to Penzey's on occasion and I very much love their chipotles.
The last time I stopped by was a couple of months ago and the
chipotles were exactly the same and fantastic.

-goro-

On Apr 7, 4:58*pm, Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com>
wrote:

>
> * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *

Since chipolte is produce...maybe it might not have been a good year
for growing with the last shipment you received. Some years,
tomatoes are better and/or worse than previous years.

On Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:08:32 -0700, Goro <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:16:58 -0700, Ranée at Arabian Knits
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>In article <[email protected]>,
>> Melba's Jammin' <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> In article
>>> <[email protected]i>,
>>> Ranée at Arabian Knits <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>> > Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>>> > red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
>>> > going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
>>> > telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
>>> > something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
>>> >
>>> > Regards,
>>> > Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>>> >
>>> > "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>>> >
>>> > http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>>>
>>> Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
>>> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.
>>
>> This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently.
>>Last week? I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
>>just a different supplier. When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
>>not the same, and not better.
>>
>I got to Penzey's on occasion and I very much love their chipotles.
>The last time I stopped by was a couple of months ago and the
>chipotles were exactly the same and fantastic.
>
>-goro-

Penzeys will gladly replace any product one isn't happy with. I've
never been to a Penzeys store, I phone in all my orders... twice I
wasn't happy with an item and they promptly sent me new, didn't even
want the old one back... one was a full pound of whole bay leaves that
arrived with most broken, another was a half pound of granulated
garlic that arrived all clumped, the bag wasn't properly sealed. I'm
sure that they would replace those peppers.

On Apr 9, 8:53*am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:08:32 -0700, Goro <bo...@nonn.com> wrote:
> >On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:16:58 -0700, Ran e at Arabian Knits
> ><arabiankn...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>In article <barbschaller-2B7765.16083007042...@news.iphouse.com>,
> >> Melba's Jammin' <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> >>> In article
> >>> <arabianknits-0BDD27.13582407042...@62-183-169-81.bb.dnainternet.fi>,
> >>> *Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> > * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> >>> > red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *I was just
> >>> > going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
> >>> > telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
> >>> > something. *Has anyone else noticed a change?
>
> >>> > Regards,
> >>> > Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>
> >>> > "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>
> >>> >http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>
> >>> Mine is dark red and always has been. *<shrug> *At least since January
> >>> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.
>
> >> * This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently. *
> >>Last week? *I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
> >>just a different supplier. *When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
> >>not the same, and not better.
>
> >I got to Penzey's on occasion and I very much love their chipotles.
> >The last time I stopped by was a couple of months ago and the
> >chipotles were exactly the same and fantastic.
>
> >-goro-
>
> Penzeys will gladly replace any product one isn't happy with. *I've
> never been to a Penzeys store, I phone in all my orders... twice I
> wasn't happy with an item and they promptly sent me new, didn't even
> want the old one back... one was a full pound of whole bay leaves that
> arrived with most broken, another was a half pound of granulated
> garlic that arrived all clumped, the bag wasn't properly sealed. *I'm
> sure that they would replace those peppers.

Oh no! Broken bay leaves? I'll bet you send back potato chips because
there are broken ones in the bag.

;-)

John Kuthe...

On Sat, 9 Apr 2011 04:16:28 -0700 (PDT), "Mr. Bill" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>On Apr 7, 4:58*pm, Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com>
>wrote:
>
>>
>> * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *
>
>Since chipolte is produce...maybe it might not have been a good year
>for growing with the last shipment you received. Some years,
>tomatoes are better and/or worse than previous years.

Very true, peppers can be any color depending of many factors;
weather, growing conditions, at which point harvested, etc. I've
ordered Penzeys whole chipolte several times, they are always a
different hue, even in the same packet they are not all the same
color... but I've not encountered any that tasted bad. I grow several
types of hot peppers, they are never all the same color on the same
plant at the same time. I typically pick by size, largest first,
size has no bearing on color... heat level has mostly to do with the
skin texture, the hotter ones show delicate wrinkling.

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:03:52 -0700, Ranée at Arabian Knits wrote:
>
>> I much prefer them dried or powdered to canned. The canned ones
>> always taste a little weird to me, I think it might just be the adobo
>> sauce.
>
> If you like chewing tabacco, then you like canned chipotles. I'll use
> them in a watered down sauce or marinade for their stronger flavor -
> flavor I can't get using dried/ground peppers without delivering too
> much heat.
>
> -sw


I think dried anchos taste like chewing tobacco -- in a good way. I
haven't found any other chile that will substitute for them.

I can make chili using just dried guajillo or pulla or New Mexico
peppers, but if it needs a little ancho, that's the only thing that works.

-Bob

John Kuthe wrote:
> On Apr 9, 8:53 am, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>> On Fri, 08 Apr 2011 22:08:32 -0700, Goro <bo...@nonn.com> wrote:
>>> On Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:16:58 -0700, Ran e at Arabian Knits
>>> <arabiankn...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> In article <barbschaller-2B7765.16083007042...@news.iphouse.com>,
>>>> Melba's Jammin' <barbschal...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>> In article
>>>>> <arabianknits-0BDD27.13582407042...@62-183-169-81.bb.dnainternet.fi>,
>>>>> Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
>>>>>> red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. I was just
>>>>>> going to use it up and try to find a new source, but I'm thinking of
>>>>>> telling them what happened and asking if they have a new supplier or
>>>>>> something. Has anyone else noticed a change?
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>>>>>> "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13
>>>>>> http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/
>>>>> Mine is dark red and always has been. <shrug> At least since January
>>>>> 2006 when I seem to have acquired it.
>>>> This one was ordered within the last few weeks and came recently.
>>>> Last week? I noticed the difference in color, but thought maybe it was
>>>> just a different supplier. When I went to refill my jar, the smell was
>>>> not the same, and not better.
>>> I got to Penzey's on occasion and I very much love their chipotles.
>>> The last time I stopped by was a couple of months ago and the
>>> chipotles were exactly the same and fantastic.
>>> -goro-
>> Penzeys will gladly replace any product one isn't happy with. I've
>> never been to a Penzeys store, I phone in all my orders... twice I
>> wasn't happy with an item and they promptly sent me new, didn't even
>> want the old one back... one was a full pound of whole bay leaves that
>> arrived with most broken, another was a half pound of granulated
>> garlic that arrived all clumped, the bag wasn't properly sealed. I'm
>> sure that they would replace those peppers.
>
> Oh no! Broken bay leaves? I'll bet you send back potato chips because
> there are broken ones in the bag.
>
> ;-)
>
> John Kuthe...


The best bay leaves I've ever had were ugly things I bought at an Indian
grocery store. They came in a big crinkly cellophane bag, most of them
were broken, and a lot of them had insect stings. But they were so
fragrant!

(I wonder if they were really some other spice that only resembles bay?)

-Bob

In article
<[email protected]>,
"Mr. Bill" <[email protected]> wrote:

> On Apr 7, 4:58*pm, Ran e at Arabian Knits <arabiankn...@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > * *Well, this last time we ordered, the chipotle was _bright_ orangey
> > red, not dark red, and it didn't smell the same either. *
>
> Since chipolte is produce...maybe it might not have been a good year
> for growing with the last shipment you received. Some years,
> tomatoes are better and/or worse than previous years.

I thought that, too, though the smoking is relatively controlled. It
turns out they had a bad batch from one supplier, which was mercifully
small.

Regards,
Ranee @ Arabian Knits

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands." Prov 31:13

http://arabianknits.blogspot.com/