Shopping Habits

Poll

Do You Bother With Supermarket Food Returns?

In developing a recipe for halloumi tacos, Whole Foods has been my go-to grocer; it's one of the few places where I can track down the specialty cheese.

In developing a recipe for halloumi tacos, Whole Foods has been my go-to grocer; it's one of the few places where I can track down the specialty cheese. But I recently opened a package to discover it was spoiled, even though the cheese hadn't yet passed its expiration date. At $9 a package, halloumi doesn't come cheap, so I called Whole Foods, who told me to bring in the receipt for a return.

However, with the store a 15-minute drive away, and the hassle of digging through old receipts to find the appropriate documentation, I don't know if I'll be bothered. Although most supermarkets have return policies for their items, when it comes to perishable food items, there's potential for a "he said, she said" scenario. What do you do when you discover supermarket spoils?

Poll

Do You Buy and Experiment With Unfamiliar Ingredients?

When it comes to the kitchen, I'm always comfortable entering uncharted territory.

When it comes to the kitchen, I'm always comfortable entering uncharted territory. I'm apt to buy an ingredient like gooseberries, white sapote, or an unfamiliar mushroom, even when I've never seen or heard of it.

If you were to ask me why, I'd simply counter with the question: why not? I figure if I don't know what to do with it, I'll simply Google it! Are you as adventurous when it comes to purchasing new and unusual ingredients?

Eco

Do You Buy Purple Produce?

YumSugar Community member Lauren picked up a bunch of purple asparagus at the market, and her beautiful bounty reminded me of a San Francisco Chronicle article about violet-hued vegetables such as artichokes, carrots, potatoes, and cauliflower.

YumSugar Community member Lauren picked up a bunch of purple asparagus at the market, and her beautiful bounty reminded me of a San Francisco Chronicle article about violet-hued vegetables such as artichokes, carrots, potatoes, and cauliflower. Turns out a dazzling color isn't the only selling point: purple produce also contains anthocyanin, an antioxidant. I happen to love fuschia baby carrots and indigo-colored cauliflower. Where do you stand on purple produce or, for that matter, any vibrantly-colored vegetables?