THE POWER OF THE GOURMET CONSUMER

Today’s food market is not the market of old. To be sure the old staples are still very prevalent in the local super markets but there has been a huge change.

Specialty foods have literally changed the way we shop. Healthy food habits have precipitated this change and food preferences have changed over the past 50 years. No longer is our diet simply meat and potatoes with serving of vegetables and a glass of water.

Gourmet foods are in great demand as shoppers have expanded their dining and cooking horizons. All natural, gluten free, no MSGs and organic are terms not heard 50 years ago. Precise labeling of nutritional values and ingredients in foods is also a must. This is a result of consumer demand. People want to know what they are putting in their bodies. How it will affect them and their loved ones is of great concern.

And with that great concern comes great power. Super market managers must be very responsive to consumer requests and demands. If they fail to carry popular or requested items, they will fail to maintain the loyalty of the very consumers they need to maintain a viable business.

But one question remains in all of this. Do the consumers realize the power they possess?

It is my contention that many do not. Often times they may look for particular items in their local store and not be able to find them. They either go to another unfamiliar store to find the items they could not find in their local store or they resort to ordering the item online. Both alternatives carry costs to the consumer. To go to another store requires time and money for gas. To shop online once again requires time and often requires the cost of shipping. Both alternatives are not desirable to the loyal shopper.

But, seeking out the store manager, grocery manager or meat manager to ask them to bring certain items into their store is very powerful. First, it tells the manager that you would prefer to buy the item in their store. It tells them too that you are a loyal consumer to their store and would prefer to not have to chase down the item of choice somewhere else. And it may inform the manager of what items are becoming popular or what consumers are trending toward. Everybody wins as the managers are trained to listen to the demands and wants of their customers and to grow the business the customer gets what they want.

Specialty food stores are notorious for listening to their customer base. They are always bringing in requested items for their customers because often enough, other consumers want and need the same items. The staff at these stores are well trained to assist the gourmet consumer in their needs are they are very responsive to product requests. This is one big reason for the rise in popularity of specialty stores.

So the next time you are frustrated because nothing you seek seems to be available, just ask a manger and your frustration just might come to an end. Remember, the power of the gourmet consumer is a powerful thing!

IN BIG-TIME BBQ, THE HEAT IS ON

How big is BBQ and what changes are taking place?

There are many BBQ Associations throughout this country and indeed, the world. At the 2014 Kansas City Barbeque Society’s (KCBS) American Royal competition, there were association teams entered from countries like Australia, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Canada.

Though the KCBS is one of the largest organizations, there are many in the United States. The National Barbecue Association, the Mid Atlantic Barbecue Association and the World Barbecue Association are just a few of the others.

These organizations sponsor events nearly every week across the country. The competition is stiff and the cooks are getting brave with their recipes in that they are infusing more heat in the meat! While for many years the sweet savory flavor of BBQ was the preferred presentation of chicken, ribs, pork and brisket, methods used now are including sweat heat for the judges to try. And it is becoming accepted and in some regions, preferred.

But, when you talk about BBQ cooks adding heat to their recipes, it is important to distinguish what kind of heat. Specific hot sauces are used in some BBQ sauces and injections. Chile pepper seasonings are being used in secret rubs and pepper spreads (or pepper jellies) are widely used as a glaze in competition.

The cooks in the BBQ world do not subscribe to adding heat to their recipes just for heat’s sake. There has to be a delicate balance of sweet, heat and savory flavor to “trip the trigger” of BBQ judges in every region of this country. If a cook adds too much heat, judges cannot distinguish between flavor, heat and savory. If the heat is added, with little attention to flavor, the competition team is quickly penalized for their half-hearted effort.

Amateur cooks will most certainly need to seek advice from experts which can include BBQ cooks, BBQ judges, TV BBQ shows, various association members and the personnel at local BBQ specialty stores.

The advice may be comprised of methods to use, products to use and what to use with the different kinds of meats used in competition.

Products can be purchased in some big box stores and chain stores, specialty stores offer an alternative that should be pursued. The personnel at these specialty stores can give great advice on the most popular rubs, sauces and injections being used in the BBQ world. They will know what is selling and what is not. They will also have practical experience as they use many of the products they sell. These stores and their personnel should be used as a resource for the barbeque novice and the experts.

To be sure, the heat is on in the BBQ world. Do some research, buy what works, and you too will be able to produce some BBQ that even the most stringent judge will be happy to give you the perfect score.

CAN YOU EAT SPICY FOOD AND LIVE LONGER?

That is a question that is being asked by nutritionists, doctors, scientists and even those on their 100th diet!

It is well known that overweight people suffer many health anomalies such as Diabetes, respiratory problems, circulation and just plain feeling miserable in their overweight condition. It is also well known that all habitual dieters are continually looking for better foods conducive to a better quality of life. The secret may just be found in spicy foods made from all kinds of chili peppers.

In a recent articles citing the release of a very long study by Peking University Health Science Center in Beijing, Sky News and The New York Times site the study that analyzed the food habits and health details of nearly half a million Chinese people.

They found those who ate spicy food six or seven days a week had a 14% reduced risk of dying compared with people who ate it less than once a week.

Eating spicy food was also associated with a lower risk of death from cancer, heart disease and respiratory illnesses.

The results of the study is well in line with previous evidence on the health benefits of spicy foods. The study authors said capsaicin is the main active component of chili pepper. Spicy foods speed up your metabolism through the release of natural endorphins.

Its qualities have been extensively reported in relation to anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-hypertensive effects. In addition to this, the antimicrobial function of spices, including chili pepper, has long been recognized.

If you are not already a hot food lover, fear not. This can be an acquired taste. I was once not a spicy food lover. But over time, the more I ate, the more I became addicted to the endorphin rush. Once you get used to spicy food, you will find that you use chili peppers and seasonings in more and more of your recipes.

There is no doubt that there are millions of “Chili Heads” in the United States. The overriding reason for this is not only the change from a boring meat and potatoes meal to a more unusual and spicy meal with more character, but it is undoubtedly because of the health benefits.

How do people get their spicy foods? Some can be found at local chain stores but “Chili Heads” are shopping at fiery food specialty stores staffed with personnel who know and understand the chili pepper world and have knowledge of the most popular products. The selections at these stores will give you many alternatives for future healthy meals.

There is no question that spicy foods have been discovered and are an ever increasing ingredient to dishes of all kinds but, as the study above indicates, eating spicy foods is a healthy choice! For those seeking help with their diet, you may find this to be the final answer and live longer indeed!