Many things in life often do not live up to their hype — Remember how the Segway was going to transform transportation? Or what about miracle mascara that makes eye lashes grow to the length of football fields and yet washes off easily? Hello, raccoon eyes! And don’t even get me started on Sham Wow cloths!
Every so often though an item will come along that is well worth the hype and will even surpass all expectations. Case in point, Fennel Pollen. I have been trying to track down this elusive seasoning for months. Honestly, it would have been easier to purchase the tears of a unicorn. I read countless blog posts singing the praises of this spice mixture. No one could quite describe the flavor but I was guaranteed to wow my dinner guests by adding a pinch of it to my pasta sauce, my pizza would sparkle with a sprinkle of it, a light dusting on steak or pork chops would produce incredible depth, and a dash to roasted vegetables was sure to have people clamoring for seconds. It could even enhance baked items such as breads and muffins! Everyone had a similar experience — it was beyond yummy and highly addicting!
Here are some direct quotes:
“Fennel Pollen… a magic spice that enhances the flavour of everything from pears to pork.”
“ Often referred to as the Spice of Angels, Fennel Pollen makes any ordinary dish extraordinary. “
Peggy Knickerbocker of Saveur magazine wrote, “If angels sprinkled a spice from their wings, this would be it.”
How could this rare and multifaceted spice make such a difference especially when added to such a disparate offering of foods and goodies? I didn’t know but was dying to find out.
This stuff isn’t easy to locate here in Ontario and my usual source for all things food related, Chowhound, though promising at first glance, turned up nothing once I started making calls and inquiries. Finally, I managed to connect with The Spice Trader in Toronto and though I was initially turned away with a “sorry we just sold out of our last tin.” I was determined and followed up diligently two weeks later. I am happy to report that I am the proud owner of a tin of fennel pollen and equally happy to report that this stuff doesn’t disappoint. It’s every bit as lovely and delectable as I had read and equally indescribable. It’s got a certain sweetness and smokiness and hmm, what exactly is that flavor? The poverty of my speech prevents me from properly describing FP in all its varied and delicious essence but I can wholeheartedly say, that if you pick it up and give it a whirl, I’m certain it will quickly become your most favorite spice in the entire rack!
The Spice Trader and Olive Pit is well worth the visit for their many other offerings too, so if you do venture in for the fennel pollen be sure to check out their other herbs, spices, salts and organic blends.
The Spice Trader
877 Queen Street W.
Toronto, ON M6J 1G5
(p) 647-430-7085
www.thespicetrader.ca
