Are there any foods you're willing to spend a premium on? (restaurant, bread)

[warhorse78]

Originally Posted by Azureth

Such as foods that you'll pay more for instead of the cheaper kind? For me, one is cheese. I love turkey but I don't really care about the cheaper stuff, but when it comes to cheese I hate the single cheap processed cheese and always buy cheese at the deli.

Agree on the cheese. Nothing beats a premium extra sharp white cheddar from Vermont.

I also will pay extra for good chocolate, and will even import it if I have to. (Belgian is my personal favorite)

Another food I will pay premium for is butter. A good butter can make all the difference to your dishes.

[fishbrains]

Almost anything really.

real maple syrup
good beer
pure mexican vanilla
cheese of a variety of types
proscuitto
yorkshire tea
locally roasted espresso beans
grass fed beef
wild salmon
unsalted butter over margarine, but not picky about brand
honey
chili peppers vs chili powder
most vegetables are purchased only seasonally when fresh, same with berries

[jean_ji]

Originally Posted by Arktikos

Maple syrup and Honey are two great ones. Some boutique fruit syrups are OK but nothing compares to real Maple. Most of the syrup sold in stores and provided at diners, especially fake Maple, is utter garbage.

Ever try Manuka Honey? Now that's a premium price!

I buy local honeys and got a mangrove honey recently. Our neighbors live in MA, but spend winters here. They brought us a jug of maple syrup their son and uncle make and sell. . We had nutmeg syrup in the Caribbean 14 years ago that was really good. I recently found a recipe for a small batch that uses dark rum that I want to try.

[eureka1]

Originally Posted by Mosep

Comparing a quality made "real" cheese to American processed cheese is like comparing prime rib to potted meat.

Their simply not comparable.

What he said.....

[jean_ji]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

I've been buying Penzey's double strength Matagascar vanilla for decades. With all the crop failures, a 16 oz bottle of it is now $140.00. I've been rationing the last of the bottle I have on hand.

I was shocked at vanilla prices three years ago and grew my own vanilla vine. Once we learned how to properly pollinate, I got seven beans. They should be ready in two months, but the odds of curing them correctly the first time look slim, another learning curve.

[marino760]

No more peanut butter. It's now almond butter or cashew butter. Much higher in price for a good brand but so much better tasting than PB.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by marino760

No more peanut butter. It's now almond butter or cashew butter. Much higher in price for a good brand but so much better tasting than PB.

I grind my almond butter at the grocer. I do agree. I don't like peanut butter any more.

[happygrrrl]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Know exactly how you feel: raised in So. Ca where we had an avocado tree, 3 apricot trees, oranges and grapefruit plus plum and fig trees. Now we can't even afford Apricots. Oh, we had a lemon tree as well.

Yes! I had lemons, limes, tangerines, grapefruit & valencia & blood oranges. Wow, I miss them! I have one avocado tree that I grew from a pit that I drag outdoors every spring & back indoors about this time of year. It won’t ever bear fruit but it’s a beauty.

[Screenwriter70]

Coffee - I can't do Folgers or Maxwell House. I won't eat processed cheese either, that stuff will ruin a meal. No cheap chocolate unless I'm starving.

I don't drink alcoholic beverages or follow one of those weird diets, so I can usually eat on a budget and survive.

[PamelaIamela]

Cheese, organic, local raised eggs and vegetables, grass fed meat and butter.
The absolutely best fish and seafood (wild caught), and good, fresh bread.

But I DO buy cheap bubbly because 20 years of blind taste tests on New Year's Eve has shown that I can't tell the difference and really don't care for the expensive brands!
Lucky, right?

ETA.. Good French Roast coffee or beans are non-negotiable.