I was lucky enough to grab a seat at a recent class at Cooks of Crocus Hill, in Saint Paul MN,
taught by Alice Medrich, the queen of all things chocolate. (my title, not hers, because of her
award-winning book Bittersweet, among others.) Her new book, Pure Dessert, (Artisan, $35) has
just one chapter devoted to that particular elixir. This latest work celebrates the essence of the
“ingredient”, where she looks at everyday ingredients in new ways and delves into the discovery
of the new - those ingredients that may not typically be found in desserts or in some cases may
not be found in the typical American pantry but easily found at well-stocked grocers. Read More
taught by Alice Medrich, the queen of all things chocolate. (my title, not hers, because of her
award-winning book Bittersweet, among others.) Her new book, Pure Dessert, (Artisan, $35) has
just one chapter devoted to that particular elixir. This latest work celebrates the essence of the
“ingredient”, where she looks at everyday ingredients in new ways and delves into the discovery
of the new - those ingredients that may not typically be found in desserts or in some cases may
not be found in the typical American pantry but easily found at well-stocked grocers. Read More
| September 2007 |
|
Price of Vanilla Remains Steady
from an email conversation with Matt Nielsen, COO, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
from an email conversation with Matt Nielsen, COO, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
Here's an update on what's happening in the vanilla market. In 2005, the price for vanilla dropped
50% after an historical high. This was due to a full recovery in the vanilla harvest which allowed
for the first time in 4 years the availability of more vanilla beans than there was demand. Since
2005 prices have held very stable. We have seen some slight fluctuations in pricing up and down,
but nothing to impact the overall average market price. Harvests have been at normal levels
worldwide and demand has slowly increased over the last 2 years. But, the market still has more
supply worldwide than there is demand, a return to normalcy. Thus, there are no expectations of
any changes in prices, assuming no natural disasters hit the growing regions (like in 2000). The
good news is we are passed cyclone season for the growing regions, so everything should remain
stable for the next year. There is no commodity market for vanilla. Due to the length of time it
takes to produce vanilla beans (14-16 months), the relatively small supply vs. demand compared
to traditional commodities and the traditional selling structure a commodity market has never been
considered for vanilla beans.
Read More
50% after an historical high. This was due to a full recovery in the vanilla harvest which allowed
for the first time in 4 years the availability of more vanilla beans than there was demand. Since
2005 prices have held very stable. We have seen some slight fluctuations in pricing up and down,
but nothing to impact the overall average market price. Harvests have been at normal levels
worldwide and demand has slowly increased over the last 2 years. But, the market still has more
supply worldwide than there is demand, a return to normalcy. Thus, there are no expectations of
any changes in prices, assuming no natural disasters hit the growing regions (like in 2000). The
good news is we are passed cyclone season for the growing regions, so everything should remain
stable for the next year. There is no commodity market for vanilla. Due to the length of time it
takes to produce vanilla beans (14-16 months), the relatively small supply vs. demand compared
to traditional commodities and the traditional selling structure a commodity market has never been
considered for vanilla beans.
Read More
I had the opportunity over the Labor Day weekend to return to Louisville KY to visit my dear
friend Randy whom I've known since our undergraduate college years. He lives and works in the
Germantown neighborhood which in the southern part of the city. It's a picturesque neighborhood
near Cherokee Park, where stately trees line narrow streets. WWII bungalows, sit next to 1950's
ramblers as red brick four-square craftsman homes with wrap around front porches give way to
stately mansions. Read More
friend Randy whom I've known since our undergraduate college years. He lives and works in the
Germantown neighborhood which in the southern part of the city. It's a picturesque neighborhood
near Cherokee Park, where stately trees line narrow streets. WWII bungalows, sit next to 1950's
ramblers as red brick four-square craftsman homes with wrap around front porches give way to
stately mansions. Read More
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