THE KOSHER NEXUS

A Publication of the Union For Traditional Judaism

Copyright © 2000-2003 The Union for Traditional Judaism

2000 Vol. 8 No.1 Fall, 5761

Writing the Kosher Nexus is always a great pleasure. Traveling to all the shows remains a kick. Meeting all the manufacturers and their reps adds to the joy of the outing. Sure, we like to groan about how tired we get, but that is just for dramatic effect. The fact is, we love doing the Nexus, and we thank the Kadosh Baruch Hu for bringing us to year eight.

As always, we thank the UTJ for having the great vision to recognize truly great journalism when it is presented. Not here, mind you, but some times a really great piece of work from one of our writers comes into the office, and we have noticed that when it does, it is greatly appreciated by the big shots upstairs in the executive suite!

Second, we thank you gentle reader for your continued interest. We would like to think that you know that we write this just for you!

Third, a huge thank you is due to my shul, the Jewish Center of Bayside Oaks, for their patience and understanding. Their support of the Nexus is legendary. They are the best!

Finally, on behalf of the Experteen, Mammarapp, Debra Wenger (you should see heads turn when we page her in public!), and the rest of the gang here at 811 Palisade, we wish you a wonderful new year.

SECOND NOTE FROM THE EDITOR IN CHIEF:

For as long as we have written the Nexus, people have complained that they cannot buy many of the products about which we write. Let us set the record straight. Neither can we! We wrote about Bone Suckin’ Sauce for over a year before we were able to purchase our first bottle, and that was only because we were in Atlanta and found it at a store there. But, you can do what we do: Call the company and find out who distributes the product in your area and where. Many companies will sell to you directly. And for our friends in Canada, we have found that many companies do distribute in Canada, but you need to call them to get the information. That is why, by the way, we list mail and phone info for every company.

In spite of the above, however, here are some products about which we have written and never found anywhere. Have YOU seen these products?

In KN Vol. 3, No. 5, we wrote about a great new idea: Bubbie’s Sauerkraut Wine. This O-U certified delicacy has never been seen in our neighborhood. And you know what they say here in Teaneck? They say, “If you can’t find it in Teaneck, it must not be out there!!” Frankly, Scarlet, when it comes to this one, we don’t give a hoot.

In KN Vol. 4, No. 2, we wrote about International Spice Company’s, Star-K certified, Moroccan Spice. This spice is better known as Schwarma Spice. Admit it, how many bottles a year do you go through?

In KN Vol. 5, No. 2, we wrote about Banana Bites. These KSA certified bad boys were actually pieces of frozen banana dipped in chocolate. The company is a Left Coast company. Does that mean they only distribute out there?

Volume 5, No. 4 of the KN featured a really wild product, one that made the Experteen lick her lips over and over again. The company was the International Gold Star Trading Company, and the product was called Pink Cow. It was an O-U endorsed milk caramel spread. It was delish. We even managed to get a cup to take home. And then we never saw it anywhere. Have you seen a Pink Cow? We haven’t.

Last but not least, here is a company that we get calls about all the time, and we know that people buy directly from them, but we have never seen their product at any of the butchers we frequent. From Wise N Natural Kosher Products, comes free range, organic chickens. These birds are so good they have two hashgachot- OU and CHK. We know the product is out there, but we have never seen it. People tell us that they like the product. No matter where we have looked, we haven’t found it. Oh well, call them at 718 388 8356.

WASSUP, WHAS NEW??

We recently tried a product that we hope will be a huge success. It was flavored water. Yup, you heard correct. Flavored water. Not carbonated, just lightly flavored spring water. This stuff was outrageously good. No sticky after taste. No fat, no sodium, and not a lot of calories, either (70-80 per 8 oz). We loved the wildberry, the strawberry kiwi, and the peach. There are also cherry, lemonade, cherry lemonade, kiwi watermelon, cherry lime, and orange cream. All are definite winners. Certification is by the OU. Fruit Geyser is by Geyser Products, PO Box 1685, Mesa, AZ, 85211. You can phone them at: 602 898 7450. They are on the web at: www.geyserbev.com

Another fine beverage company puts out Briar’s Premium Beverages. They have been doing it since 1937, apparently, but we just discovered them! They make OU endorsed sodas. We tried them all: Birch Beer, Root Beer, Sarsaparilla, Orange Cream, Ginger Ale, Lemonade Swirl, and Raspberry Fizz. The Birch and Root Beers come in diet and high test. All were very, very good. We weren’t too keen on the Orange Cream, but it was tasty. Briar’s USA can be reached at: PO Box 7092, North Brunswick, NJ 08902. You can phone them at 732 821 7600. They are on the web at: www.briars.com

As we get closer to hot chocolate season, we have some hot chocolate that will thrill you right down to your toes! These are two of the best hot chocolates we have ever had. From Ghirardelli comes Sweet Ground Chocolate and Cocoa , and Sweet Ground White Chocolate Flavor Mix. These bad boys are certified by the Kof-K. White hot chocolate is a real kick, and the regular dark colored ain’t too shabby either! Ghirardelli is located at 1111 139^th Ave, San Leandro, CA, 94578. You can phone them at: 800 877 9338.

People in Canada should skip this next paragraph. So, too, should everyone else who doesn’t live in New England, NY, New Jersey, Philly, or DC. The aforementioned are the only ones who can buy Fresh Samantha Juices. This company makes some really wild juices. How about Pumpkin Moonshine, or Razzmataz, or The Big Bang, or Desperately Seeking C? There are twenty different flavors, all of them super! They also bottle spring water and offer a soy shake. (Maybe the soy wouldn’t shake if it had some of their Oh Happy Day drink!) Certification is by the KVH. On the web, the company is at: www.freshsamantha.com. They are located at 84 Industrial Park Road, Saco, Maine 04072. You can phone them at: 800 658 4635.

We have noticed a tremendous increase in the amount of kosher, French wine available in the States. All the wines listed here are OU certified and are kosher for Passover, too. Check for these wines at your local kosher wine merchant’s emporium. J. P. Chenet label wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. These are true French varietals good for every day enjoyment. Remy Pannier label: Anjou Rouge, Chenin Blanc, and Rose D’Anjou. We liked the Chenin Blanc and found it just right. The other two should be served when your cheap relatives have come to visit. There are a number of wines that make up the Petite Chateaux collection. Each is superlative. Chateau Lestage (Rouge) and Chateau Le Tertre (Blanc) are two very good Bordeaux wines. They are estate bottled. The Lestage is from Montagne- St. Emilion and is a soft, rich wine. The Le Tertre is a crisp white from the Graves region. We also have tried the Lafite Monteil Rouge and the Lafite Monteil Blanc. These are also two very good Bordeaux wines.

A little French wine…. Some soft music… now how about some …..pasta? Pasta was always one of the few things that all five of our crew all liked, so we made it often. One of our favorites is Barilla. Barilla is now available in Food Service size packages, too. Barilla is the number one pasta in Italy, so you know it has to be good. Barilla also makes sauces. All Barilla products are certified by the OU. The sauces, by the way, are very tasty. Flavors include: Marinara, Sweet Peppers and Garlic, Spicy Pepper, Green and Black Olive, Roasted Garlic and Onion, Mushroom and Garlic, and Lasagna Sauce. We like to mix several sauces together for a new taste. Try it- you may like it, too! On the web, Barilla is at: www.barilla.com. You can phone them at 800 9 BARILLA. Look for Barilla in your local supermarket.

Another really fine pasta is available from ITALPASTA. And some special good news for our friends up north- the company is located in Canada at 116 Nuggett Court, Brampton, Ontario, L6T 5A9. You can phone them at 905 792 9928. They have different hashgachot on different products. Some even carry two at the same time. Mostly you will find that their kosher line is either OU or COR. Try the multi colored Farfalle (bow ties)- they look wonderful!

So, now we have wine, we have pasta, we need…. Bread!

From Windmill Farms comes Organic Bread and Challah. These breads are fat free and cholesterol free. They use no preservatives. They also make yeast free and wheat free breads and challahs. The company only uses Kemach Yoshon (sic) and all of their breads are Pat Yisrael. Of course, challah is taken (hafrashat challah). There are a whole lot of hashgachot on these breads. Two of them are the CRC and the OK. You can phone the company at: 718 451 0644 and ask them where you can find their product in your neighborhood.

From Damascus Bakeries comes some new pitas. How about: Cinnamon, Raisins and Spice? Or Honey N Grain? Or Pesto with Sun-Dried Tomatoes? Or perhaps Roasted Garlic, Rosemary, and Thyme (why does that one make me break into song??)? And finally, how about Sourdough, Onion and Dill? All are OU certified. All are great.

But what about those times when you have this incredible need to make a wrap sandwhich? Well, you’re in luck, because Damascus Bakeries makes wraps, too. These are some really fine tasting wraps. Flavors include: Plain, Honey Wheat, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato, Chili Pepper, Pesto, Honey, Potato, Roasted Garlic, and Sourdough. All are OU certified and well worth trying. Damascus Bakeries is located at: 56 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. You can phone them at: 800 FOR PITA. In NYC and Long Island, phone them at 718 855 1456.

From Aladdin Bread, comes some really fine wraps, too. In fact, the company calls their product Gourmet and Exotic Wraps. Oohlalah! These babies come in three sizes: 8 inch, 10 inch, and the really hungry guy 12 inch size. Hey, check out these flavors: Plain, Cinnamon Honey, Whole Wheat, Red Roasted Pepper, Lemon Cilantro, Garlic Pesto, Southwestern, Jalapeno, Black Bean, Spinach, and Sundried Tomato. Aladdin says they make the best wrap, that theirs last longer without falling apart, and that theirs have less faults and cracks than anyone else’s wrap. Is it true? We will let you decide! Aladdin Wraps are OU certified. Aladdin Bread is located at: 237 26^th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232. You can phone them at: 718 499 1818.

Hmmm, we have wine, we have pasta, we have bread….. now we need a meal….

Meal Mart is trying to capture the upscale single serving meal replacement market. Under the Meal Mart label, they offer Apple Kugel, Broccoli Kugel, Jerusalem Kugel, Potato Kugel, and Sweet Noodle Kugel. All are OU Pareve. Certified OU Glatt , is the MON CUISINE label, and they offer Roast Chicken Breast, Beef Goulash, Toast Turkey, and Ribeye Roast meals. They also offer Chicken Mediterranean, Chicken Oriental, Linguini, Salisbury Steak, and Stuffed Cabbage. In the dairy department, OU, Chalav Yisrael, with the Mon Dairy label are the following: Cheese Blintzes, Eggplant Parmigiana, Cheese Lasagna, and Baked Ziti. All the above are Heat and Serve products. Alle Processing is located at 56-20 59 Street, Maspeth, NY 11378. You can phone them at: 718 894 2000.

From the Mid-West, comes a most unusual series of products from THE OLD CITY CAFÉ. Under the certification of both the OK and the Shield K, these Pat Yisrael, Chalav Yisrael products are all dairy. How aobut rennet free, natural/vegetarian no preservatives nor artificial ingredients kosher pizza? They make 12inch cheese pizzas and 12 inch spinacheese pizzas. They also make Burritos. Some are vegetarian, the dairy are chalav Yisrael, and the meat are glatt. They make Cheese Pizza Burittos, Black Bean and Rice Burittos, Beef and Bean Burittos, Chicken and Rice Burittos, and Vegetarian Beef and Rice Burittos. They also make a Maccaroni and Cheese Dinner. Upscale Foods Inc, is located at: 1851 Charles Ave, St. Paul, MN,55104. You can phone them at: 651 642 9640.

Now, efsher a little soup, too? From the Manhattan Soup Man comes OK certified soups. There’s the Nineteen Vegetable Soup, Black Bean Soup, Irish Potato Soup, Lentil Soup with Linguini, Moroccan Harrira, Mushroom Barley Soup, Saffron Potato with Roasted Tomato Soup, Tuna Gumbo, and White Bean Cassoulet, Soupman Vegetarian Chili Soup, and Soupman Chef Southwestern Sweet Potato Soup. The Saffron soup is dairy, the others are pareve. These soups are sold at kosher stores all over the New York area, look for them in your area too. These soups are sold right from the pot, hot and ready to eat. World Gourmet Soups is located at 567 7^th Ave, NYC, NY 10018. You can call them toll free at 877 SOUPMAN. Caution: The Kosher Nexus recommends that you only buy these soups in an otherwise kosher store. Watch out for look-alikes that are not kosher!

Let us leave you with a sweet ending:

HONEY ACRES makes some really fine Kaf-Q certified honey products. These honeys will add a whole lot to you Shabbat and Yom Tov Table. Try these fine honeys: Wildflower, Clover, Orange Blossom, Buckwheat, and Basswood. For a nice blend, try the Honey Apricot mix. They also make Honeyonion Mustard, Honeygrain Mustard, Honeydill Mustard, Honeyhot Mustard, and Honeypepper Mustard. Finally, they also make Honey Mints candy, Honey Cordial candy, and Honey Gummy candy. These are some really fine products, guaranteed to make your table a sweet experience! Honey Acres is located at: PO Box 346, Ashippun, WI 53003. You can call phone them at: 800 558 7745.

So until the next time boys and girls, all the best in the new year. May we all have a gebenched yahr! See you real soon!