Anyone heard of Penzeys?

[dpearce]

I guess I've been living under a rock. Never heard of the place before. Myself and a couple co-workers were discussing what we were planning on doing for Thanksgiving, and I mentioned a couple different spice rubs I've used.

So they said, "Go to Penzeys". Very close to where we work, so I said "Ok, I'll check it out on my lunch!".

And now I'm $50 poorer. And probably in trouble. Yes, definitely in trouble...



They were very nice, and even gave me a free jar of cracked pepper for being a new customer. I'll be using the Poultry Seasoning on the turkey. I like that they have three different sizes. The small jars are just about perfect for trying something out for the first time.

[Donw]

Yes, really good items. There was, for awhile at least, a habit of the owner to email out messages concerning his political viewpoints to his customers, but I just clicked unsubscribe and they went away.
His sister, who is totally apolitical, owns The Spice House site, no affiliation, and she has great products too.

[dpearce]

Yes, I did notice a rather pointed political statement on their website. Which I find really odd for a business to do that. No matter what your ideologies are, you can probably count on at least 50% of your customers won't share it. I'm assuming the various locations are franchises so I'm sure the local shops don't necessarily have any particular axe to grind.

[58limited]

I quit Penzey's for the same reason. Didn't agree or disagree but didn't appreciate the lecture.

[bordercollie]

Same lecture came towards us so we don't buy from them anymore. If I remember right, some family member of that company has a neutral site called Spice House so my sister buys from the SH .

[Jfrosty27]

Yes. In fact, they’re HQ’d right here in Milwaukee, WI. Great stuff. A store is just a few miles from my house. They have some blends that are outside the usual grocery store things.

[OC Sandy]

Yes, you are in trouble. They have an impressive collection of spices. Which translates to me also having quite a collection of spices.


Have fun, and enjoy!

[Draznnl]

It’s only just begun. Think of that $50 as a down payment on lots and lots of purchases.

[ecowper]

When Penzey's owner started his politicking via his newsletter, I switched to Spice Jungle and I've never looked back. Both are great, I just didn't need the email newsletter politics. Which I understand is no longer an issue.

[tamidw]

I have a ton of Penzey seasonings and haven’t bought any since all the politicking as well. I don’t agree when companies isolate 1/2 their customer base by showing a bias.

[ecowper]

SheilaAnn what the heck? The guy is whacked LOL

[Johnny Booth]

Yep still there - check About Us.

[TripleB]

Been using Penzey's for years. They have a store a few miles from me, but I always order online. Love their Italian Seasoning and Double-Strength Bourbon Vanilla extract. They also have (or had) a nice selection of ground Cinnamon.

[dpearce]

Oh no. More for me to buy... I better wait until after the holidays...

[OC Sandy]

I agree about their selection of ground cinnamon. I had not idea there were that many varieties, and different tastes, of cinnamon until trying theirs.

[RichardK]

SWMBO, purchased Penzeys from 1997 for 20 years. I used to pickup the free jar from the Falls Church, VA store on my way into work; don't know if they still have the offer. The political statements and the move to more blends with "marketing" names instead of descriptive names, got us to switch to Spice House. Donw is correct that Spice House is great. What we understand is that Spice House was founded on the basis that the owner did not like the way other family members were taking Penzeys, so the started Spice House. I agree with ecowper and CaptainMike sell spices and keep the personal rhetoric to yourself; even if I agree with your views, I am not interested in hearing it while I am shopping.

[WI Bubba]

I'm partial to Spice House. Especially the flat packs. They store a lot easier than bottles.

[CaptainMike]

I agree, the flat packs are great for bulk spices. Although cleverly labeled spice bottles are pretty cool. Waters For The Win!

[SheilaAnn]

There is a Penzey’s nearby in Torrance. My go-to’s are Pasta Sprinkle, Tellicherry Peppercorns, Adobo, Chicago Seasoning. I will say, though because they are co-op, I am leaning into Frontier Co-op.

and +1 on the double strength vanilla!

[SheilaAnn]

Oh…. And dpearce love the avatar!

[dpearce]

Hah! Thanks! Couldn't resist the opportunity!

[fzxdoc]

I used to be a staunch Penzy's customer when I could go to the bricks-n-mortar store. When we moved and I had to order online, I quickly tired of the political sentiments that came with every order. Like you, dpearce , whether I agree or disagree is not the issue; I dislike proselytizing of any sort. If he left it on the website I'd probably would have blown it off, but when it came in the mail with products I paid good money for, I didn't appreciate the invasion.

I switched to World Spice and really like their products. Always super fresh (can buy in 1 oz or sometimes even smaller batches) and a really interesting selection. I'm a member of their frequent buyer club where I pay a set amount for "free shipping" for the year. So far it works out in my favor.

Their Midnight Berry Tea that turns blue while steeping is always a fun gift to give, along with one of their single serving tea brewers. They also have a great cookbook and a newer book about
the Science of Spice.

[dpearce]

fzxdoc - Thanks for the options you and some of the others mentioned. I will check into those for sure. And I plan on doing the virtual spice thing as well, so those are all good options. Yeah, I really can't stand the proselytizing, either. Makes me feel a little bad about the local shop here, they were very kind and helpful. Sad that the main HQ doesn't think about their employees and customers before publishing their personal opinions. That's just bad business.

[Carolyn]

They have some interesting things on their site that I might like to try. If you want to refer me, you get a $10 store credit if I buy something.

[ecowper]

Oh, one piece of advice ordering spices and herbs online .... 4 oz of bay leaves is a LOT of bay leaves. LOL

[Jerod Broussard]

Yeah, I once ended up with enough Marjoram to fill my backyard.

[ecowper]

I bought 4 oz of bay leaves from Spice Jungle in 2022. That didn't sound like a lot. I have not had to buy bay leaves again and probably will be okay for another year LOL

[klflowers]

I happen to like both Penzy's and The Spice House. As well as my favorite, Flatiron. Of course Flatiron is just pepper, but it is outstanding pepper.

[efincoop]

Great thread! I, like many on this thread, have similar feelings about Penzy's Their products are very good but I dislike all the political stuff being shoved at me. I have ordered stuff from The Savory Spice Shop in the past, but never knew of the other spice companies mentioned in this thread. I'm excited to explore their offerings!