Who doesn’t dream of selling the farm, buying a boat, and sailing around the world? Many dream, but few follow through, and even fewer come back with a business plan. Heidi Stanvich and her husband Mark, co-owners of Vervacious, did just that. They sold their house, quit their jobs, and began sailing full-time on their ketch Verve. After a year of cruising the Atlantic Ocean in the US, the Caribbean, and Europe, Heidi and Mark launched Vervacious, making spice rubs, salt mixes, flavored vinegars, and other ‘fancy foods.’ One of the most striking things about Vervacious products is their stunning packaging. (In fact, they’ve won the Gold award for their product design and packaging at last year’s Fancy Food show.) These stacking, swooping bottles beg to be displayed- although I’ve heard we’re supposed to hide our spices away in our cool,…
Q: If you have ever indulged in the lovely little chocolate delights called truffles, aside from how wonderful they taste, you might wonder, why are these chocolates called truffles and where did the name come from? A: Truffles originated in France in 1895 and it was here that the ball of chocolate ganache dusted with cocoa received the name, truffle. As it turns out, truffles are named after the mushrooms of the similar name because of their resemblance to the dark and rumpled mushroom. Truffles come in all varieties with anything from nuts, fruit, cream and nougat centers. Voted the best legal drug in Portland, Dean’s Sweets makes hand dipped truffles from fine imported dark chocolate. The cayenne truffle is very popular and locals debate whether it should be three times as spicy or keep its subtle warmth. Check them out…
Apparently the brewers get asked this one quite a bit: Q: Since you brew beer, can you make Budweiser? A: Um, well, no. The folks at the little brewery in St Louis make Budweiser. They tend to make mostly lagers and we make mostly ales. We make Gritty McDuff’s here, they make Budweiser there. We like it that way. MFT thinks you will like their beers too. Try one soon at 396 Fore Street in the Old Port. Head downstairs and sit outside. You’ll be glad you did. grittys.com