Letter to America's CEOs from PENZYS Spice

Our customers come from all walks of life. The kindness of cooks knows no borders or divides. In the aftermath of the election, seeing the intentional damage inflicted on so many outside the white heterosexual male world, we raised our voice. We felt we had to. We did this because we are Penzeys. The Spice business is so intertwined with history that it's not really possible to have one without the other. It became clear to us that we are now in a moment history will long have its eyes upon. For the sake of our customers, and for the sake of future generations, we felt the time had come to stand on the right side of history.

And while the reasons for why we took a stand might be specific to our unique outlook, what we learned actually applies to all commerce in the United States. What we learned is that President-elect Donald Trump has no real support. Voters, sure, but no constituency. Running a campaign on "that horrible-terrible-woman who should be locked up," while at the same time working to raise fear of minorities among white voters with limited access to education, clearly achieved its goal. But none of it left Americans with any sense of connection to the candidate they actually voted for.

Willing to take a hit for what is right, we did what we did. In the two weeks since, online sales are up 59.9%, gift box sales up 135%. And we didn't have a catalog arrive in this window this year, while last year we had 1.1 million! Yes, maybe for the moment we have lost 3% of our customers because of the so-called "right wing firestorm." And, yes, they send emails of rage, and ALL CAPS, and bad language with the hope of creating the perception that they are bigger than they really are. But what we learned is that, in terms of retail spending, Donald Trump simply has no one supporting his views for America. He has no constituency.

America's Values, on the other hand, have a really sizable constituency, and that constituency moves quickly to support those that stand up for the values of America. If, as a company, you have values, now is the time to share them. You may well lose a chunk of your AM radio-listening customers, but if you really are honest and sincere, don't be surprised to see your promotions suddenly, finally, find active engagement with the Millennial generation.

And the time for this really is now. We understand all too well that, with the holidays, December is a tough month to get things done. We understand that a change in direction will not be easy, but you are where you are because you don't need things to be easy. If you wait until after the wheels come off the track for the incoming administration, this moment will have passed. And while there's no bad time to do the right thing, to do the right thing at the same time as others in your industry will work so much better than waiting until someone else has shown the way.

In this moment there is finally the real chance to unite our nation in our shared rejection of sexism, homophobia, and racism. This is your chance to stand up for America's values and make January a tent pole in your company's history. Opportunities to do the right thing at the time when doing the right thing makes all the difference come once in a lifetime. Make your history proud.

I get mine from the Captain’s Coffee!!!! This is great that I have a fellow FR to share.

https://thecaptainscoffee.com/

People don’t realize that 90% they’re drinking stale coffee. Someone brings in one of those big canisters of Folgers to the office, by the third or forth day the coffee is rancid.

As you know when you buy your beans green, they last for a couple years at least. Then you roast them for use, and they’re fresh.

I’ve been doing this now for almost ten years.

Do you know that coffee is good for you? Nobody knows why?

It reduces your risk for dementia, Alzheimer’s, various cancers, and esp if you’ve had breast cancer to prevent a recurrence. It’s not the caffeine because decaff gives you the same benefit.

I drink mine black. When you buy your beans greens from all over the world, each bean is like a fine wine grape. They’re different.

If you’re using the West Bend, then you’re getting your nose down to listening for the first and second crack, right?

I figure that I’ve avoided the 3 to 4 dollar starbuck’s per day for ten years now. Okay, maybe I’m still spending 2 to 3$ per day for coffee, but it’s fresh.

If I must buy already roasted coffee, I’ll find a coupon and buy the smallest can of beans possible, then grind them.

I have one of those kitchen aid grinders. You can get the attachment, but for another 100$ you get the real thing.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/kitchenaid-reg-burr-coffee-bean-grinder/3275487?skuId=44822972&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_kitchenelectrics_&adpos=1o7&creative=43742642989&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=44822972&gclid=CjwKEAiA94nCBRDxismumrL83icSJAAeeETQ9olXVKwKt0fhcWa6EBnlC7i8hE5cI0WuYZ_xNJZudhoCbYrw_wcB

I know, it’s expensive, but you can find them cheaper. Put it on your Xmas list when someone asks what you want.

I’ve used Tones in the past. I get the ones from Costco for those things I use quite a bit of (garlic powder, parsley, dried chopped onions, whole black pepper, etc.).

There is a great tea and spice company at the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle where you can purchase as much or as little as you want - sold in bulk and very fresh. I used to get all my herbs and spices there, but just don’t like driving downtown any more (live in the burbs). Their cinnamon/orange tea is good, too.
https://www.marketspice.com/

I bought a couple of items at Trader Joes and their prices are good.

Got an awesome email back from https://www.thespicehouse.com/

They welcomed me and understand the issues with the ceo of Penzey’s. They told me they have a lot of the same spices since they are related and that they are the original spice co. that the parents started.

If you’re using the West Bend, then you’re getting your nose down to listening for the first and second crack, right?

Yes, that's how I do it though I really only listen for the first crack and then time off that. I've found that for me, a rule of thumb between 1:45 and 2:30 from first crack works best. It's probably because I don't have a long enough roasting time to take advantage of second crack subtleties. Or I'm still just a piker after about a year and a half.

So what got you started? I started by looking for cheap coffee beans on eBay three years ago and finding green beans which were cheap but I knew not quite right though I didn't know why. When I googled that green beans required a roaster and looked up roasters and the cost, I put the notion aside. About a year later I decided to look into it again and came across Sweet Maria's video on using a popcorn popper to roast beans. I figured it was worth a try considering the low cost. Definitely glad I did!

IF you get the bean to float around then you’re probably getting a great roast!

If you go to the Coffee Captain’s page he talks about the different roasts. The roasting depends on your preference. I used to roast all my beans to the second crack, but I think it depends on the bean and actually for me I like the taste just when you hear the second crack and you turn off the heat.

I vacuum pack the beans and they’re great. I drink the coffee black. If you add sugar and cream etc. I don’t think it makes any difference what you buy as you’re hiding the flavor.

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