There are shops that sell chocolate and then there is the Cacao chocolate shop in Portland. The latter can inspire even the most hardened and cynical among us. When we first heard about the Cacao chocolate shops, it clearly sounded like it was worth our attention. Serious enough to warrant not one, but two reporters for further journalistic investigation. That's when Joanna … [Read more...] about Cacao Chocolate Shop in Portland Oregon
Product and Portland Metro Business Review Archives
Now and then I do a review of a store or commercial product. You'll find the archive of those stories here.
Best Tonic Water – Are the Gourmet Brands Worth the Price?
Updated 7.22.24: A few updated reviews (marked) and two new tonic waters: Trader Joe's, and Franklin & Sons. We've all seen expensive tonic waters in the grocery store, but are they worth the price? Over the years many people have asked me what are the best tonic waters, and if they are worth the cost. Last week I sat down with groups of hardy tasters to compare as many … [Read more...] about Best Tonic Water – Are the Gourmet Brands Worth the Price?
What are the Best Coconut Waters – We Rate 44 Brands
Best Coconut Waters 2/10/25 - minor price edits, updated Costco/Kirkland.What are the best coconut waters? Judging from the amount of shelf space devoted to them in grocery stores, coconut water is a popular item. Not a huge fan of the fruit, I had never tried it until it was recommended to me by several doctors. They extolled the virtues: low calories (the average is 55 … [Read more...] about What are the Best Coconut Waters – We Rate 44 Brands
Interview: Steven Smith Teamaker
"Portland is a beverage town," Steve Smith says simply. And his beverage of choice is -- and always has been-- tea. Note: sad to report that Steve Smith died in 2015. However, Steven Smith Teamaker is still in businessBack in the early 1970s, Smith started Stash Tea, which sold teas and herbal infusions to natural food stores. The company grew to the point where it was … [Read more...] about Interview: Steven Smith Teamaker
The Meadow: Singing the Praises of Salt
"Everyone's Lives Would Be So Much Better If They Just Used The Right Salt." Mark Bitterman, Local SelmelierA wonderful thing about Portland is our growing community of small specialty food purveyors. Many of these are based on single obsessions: the perfect latte with foam so pretty and detailed that pictures of it could be framed and hung in a gallery, tiny … [Read more...] about The Meadow: Singing the Praises of Salt