Seth's Blog : Fancy food update

Fancy food update

Everybody eats.

And, now and then, it’s fun to find something better. In the scheme of things, fancy foods are a bargain, a chance to have the best in the world for a few dollars.

Here are some persistent (and new) favorites. For those outside the US, I hope you can find even better local options.

Koeze makes the best peanut butter in the country. They make one batch a day, laboriously grinding for three hours. Zingermans often has it at a bulk discount.

Seed & Mill has a chocolate tahini sauce that’s mind-blowing. Imagine Nutella, but 10x better and just the good parts. Her cookbook is great, too.

Burlap & Barrel offers cardamom extract that will transform a glass of bubbly water into a sophisticated refresher.

Three chocolates from South America, from the rare porcelana bean and its cousins:

Heinde Verre offers two related varietals in one comparison pack.
Orfeve makes a nearly perfect sophisticated bar.
And Idilio offers one that’s unforgettable.

Summer sophistication and deliciousness are easy with a good shaker. You put whatever you want to drink (I steam 100% cacao with oat milk) over ice and then shake and pour. I was a skeptic on this, but I’m converted.

Rishi Dandelion Ginger. Extraordinary and surprising. And most things taste better mixed with tonic.

Life’s too short for average vinegar. The good stuff lasts a long time and costs not much more.

Raw almonds in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 340 degrees F. Not just healthier–quite good. Perfect with dried plums.

If you’re in Manhattan, check in the comments for when he’s open, then go have a dosa.

And their slogan might be true: These are the best dates.