More About Cheese

Since cheese is such a popular item in both our Sacramento gourmet food store and our selection of online gourmet food, we’re dedicating another post to ideas for making the most of our cheese selections. Cheese is such a favorite among gourmet food and wine aficionados and there is good reason why! Here are a few tips to for making the most of your trip to the gourmet food market and when you’re buying gourmet groceries online.

Try the same cheese from different countries
Just like other gourmet food and wine, the flavor of cheese made in different countries is unique to each region. The flavors are affected by the climate, what the animals are fed, and the time of year that the milk is obtained. When you visit our Sacramento gourmet food store, ask our staff for recommendations of cheese from different countries so you can evolve your palate. If you buy your gourmet groceries online, the descriptions of the online gourmet food we offer has descriptions that tell you where the products originate.

Incorporate pairings
The next time you visit a gourmet food market or specialty grocery store, ask for suggestions for some good pairings. This will make trying new cheese types that much more enjoyable. Some standard principles are: red wines go with red meat, while white wines go with fish and poultry. There are also great pairings for cheese that the experts at gourmet grocery stores will help you with. The most important thing is to try new things!

Experiment
Different cheeses go better with certain specialty grocery items than others—the best way to figure out your own preferences is to do a cheese tasting. The next time you visit a gourmet food store or buy gourmet groceries at an online gourmet food store, get a wide range of different styles of cheese along with some wine, condiments and snacks. In addition to wine, try gourmet grocery items such as fresh fruit, nuts, crackers, jams and jellies, honey, chutneys and mustards. Try each type of cheese with each of the condiments and you’ll figure out some great pairings and determine what works best with each. Some specialty grocery stores even have kits for creating pairings.

Community Grains 100% Whole Grain Hard Red Winter Wheat Flour

Community Grains Hard Red Winter Wheat Flour. Produced from Red Wing Wheat which is California Grown, Whole Grain, 13.61% protien, high-strength. full bodied flavor. Good for artisan breads, hearth breads, hand-crafted, long fermenting breads. Good with sourdough and wild yeasts, levains. Can be used as an all purpose flour. Its extra strength is helpful in making lighter breads than those made of whole grain flours with less protein. Pasta and pizza as well.

Giving the Gift of Wine

Luckily for gourmet food and wine lovers, delicious bottles of wine are available in every price range. When you visit our Sacramento gourmet food store or purchase online gourmet food, browse our wine selection for great gift choices at every price, from $15 and up. A visit to specialty grocery stores or a gourmet food market or will give you a wealth of ideas for gifting.

A great way to show thought to your gift, whether it’s gourmet food and wine or other specialty grocery items, is to include a note explaining why you chose that particular wine bottle or gift. Maybe you liked the bottle, or you know the recipient likes the city or country that the wine is from, or it pairs well with their favorite type of food. This thoughtful touch will make them think of you when they enjoy this lovely gourmet grocery item.

If you select a bottle of wine, wrap it in a non-transparent bag. Even though it’s a wine bottle, everyone likes a surprise and enjoys unwrapping a present. Many wine retailers and specialty grocery stores, including our Sacramento gourmet food store and online gourmet food store, carry a range of bags for gifting bottles. If you don’t buy your gourmet groceries online or live near a gourmet food market, you can always look at stationery stores for nice bags.

Unless you think the wine will be opened immediately, it’s not necessary to chill it. However, if the host asks you to bring a bottle of wine or champagne from a specialty grocery store, then it should definitely be chilled beforehand. If it’s going to be served with a meal, ask what type of food will be served so you can pair the wine accordingly. Ask the staff at the gourmet grocery store for pairing suggestions or search for tips at your favorite online gourmet food store.

When buying wine and gourmet groceries, especially during the holidays when you may attend several parties, it may behoove you to buy it by the case at your next visit to a gourmet food store or when you buy your gourmet groceries online. Many gourmet grocery stores and websites that sell online gourmet food will give you a great discount for purchasing by the case.

The Sauce That Makes the Fish

When you’re shopping for online gourmet food or visiting Taylor’s Market, your Sacramento gourmet food store, it’s important to search for specialty grocery items that are also good for you. In recent years, we’ve learned how good fish is for us. It’s an excellent protein choice and types like salmon and tuna are packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to our superb selection of gourmet food and wine, you can find amazing seafood and fresh fish at our gourmet grocery store and when you’re buying your gourmet groceries online.

A critical element of good seafood lies in the preparation. Lucky for our customers, both our Sacramento gourmet grocery store and online gourmet food store carry delicious sauces for preparing seafood. For those who enjoy the flair of Spanish food, we carry an incredible, original Basque Fish Sauce. Great for all types of fish, this all natural, specialty grocery blends sherry, burgundy wines, oil, onion, garlic, lemon zest, and other herbs and spices.

Another favorite of the patrons of our gourmet food market is The Ojai Cook Bite Back Tartar Sauce. Ingredients like jalapeno and horseradish make it perfect for seafood, fried fish, cold shellfish, tuna salad, salad dressings, veggie dips or artichokes. A favorite of our online gourmet food customers is Taylor's Market Tartar Sauce, a flavor-packed concoction made with mayonnaise, dill relish, jalapenos, lemon juice and garlic. Great for use with fish, shell fish or as a vegetable dip. When you’re browsing our gourmet groceries online, you’ll also notice Taylor’s Market Cocktail Sauce, made with tomato, vinegar, pickled watermelon, horseradish, cabbage, celery, onions, and spices. This has been a staple at our gourmet food store for years.

A visit to our gourmet food market promises a delicious array of gourmet food and wine coupled with personalized attention like no other specialty grocery stores can offer. We take pride in offering the best gourmet groceries in both our gourmet food store and online gourmet food store.

The Best About Gourmet Olive Oils

In the past few years, we’ve been hearing a lot about the myriad health benefits of olive oil. With that in mind, the incredible Sacramento gourmet food store, Taylor’s Market, as well as our online gourmet food store, strives to provide the best selection of olive oil, and offers specials on various brands whenever we can. In conjunction with our awesome array of gourmet food and wine, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better selection of olive oil, whether you’re visiting a gourmet good market or buying gourmet groceries online.

First, a little background on this specialty grocery item that is a staple of the Mediterranean diet. There are several types of olive oil:

1) Extra virgin, which is considered the best. It is the least processed, as the oil is derived from the first pressing of the olives.
2) Virgin, which is extracted from the second pressing.
3) Pure, which is somewhat processed, as it is filtered and refined.
4) Extra light undergoes a lot of processing, which causes it to retain a very mild olive flavor.

In the gourmet food and wine and specialty grocery world, the most desirable type is extra virgin. Obtained without using chemicals or heat, this oil undergoes the least amount of processing and is as close as can be to its natural state. Pure olive oil is made by adding extra virgin olive oil to refined olive oil, while light olive oil is a really just a marketing technique.

Take that knowledge with you to our Sacramento gourmet food store or when you’re browsing our online gourmet food, as this information will help you choose the brand and type that’s right for you. Whenever you’re purchasing gourmet groceries online, it’s good to thoroughly read the online descriptions of each item before making your choice. Whether you buy online gourmet food or like to visit specialty grocery stores or your local gourmet food market in person, product knowledge is definitely power.

When you browse our gourmet grocery selection this month, check out our featured product, Mia’s Kitchen Olive Oil. Mia's Kitchen was created by the Sebastiani family out of their love for cooking. Mia's mother, Nancy, cooks for their entire family each Sunday. Produced from local California olives, this gourmet olive oil is in abundance at their home. They use it for dipping, dressing, cooking and much more. We’re so thrilled to offer this awesome gourmet grocery product in our online gourmet food store and on-site at our gourmet grocery store.

Visit www.TaylorsMarket.com.