                      Specialty Food Supplies, Part I


         It's tough,  sometimes, trying to find special supplies for ethnic
goodies.    Some  of the ethnic recipes call for items that are not  always
stocked  at  your local supermarket.   That's where specialty foods  stores
come  in.   Yet,  the problem with buying by mail is that one isn't  always
able to assure oneself of the quality of the product.

         I  deal  with a few houses only - but their  products  are  always
superb,   and so is their service.   Of all of them,  my favorite is G.  B.
RATTO,  International Grocers since 1897.  821 Washington Street,  Oakland, CA
94607.  800-228-3515.

         Just a few of the huge number of rare items:

         Someone mentioned anchovy stuffed olives here.  They have them.

         Dozens  of specialty salamis,  from Hungarian through SAAGS  Swiss
Salami to Danish, German and Thueringer.

         Truffle, black, white and whole.  And Truffle produ#ts.

         Mushrooms, from Porcini/Cepes t/ truffled mushrooms, dried Morels,
Champgnons Forestiers, Chanterelles.

         A dozen different ethnic mustards, tomatoes, and garlick products.

         Indo-Asian foods from here to there, including Pappadums, shiitake
mushrooms,   poonjiaji chutneys,  hoisin sauces,  black beensauces,   fish
sauces, curry sauces, Indian pickles, and God alone knows what else.

         There's a seafood shelf,  a sauce shelf,  an international pantry,
(where you can even get Parmigiano Reggiano!), specialties from the British
Isles,  Spain,  France,  herbs and spices by the dozen,  special pastas and
pasta accompaniments, a whole range of oils and vinegars, exotic grains and
rices  from bulghur wheat to quinoa (keen-wa).   And all the prosaic  rices
from Alcazaba to wild rice.   Brown Basmati is a specialty,  from Thailand. And
for sushi lovers,  sushi rice.   Anasazi beans to french navy beans and
cranberry beans, blue cornmeal and blue polenta,  potato mixes and European
garden  seeds.    Baking goods and books,  sourdough  starters,   chocolate
specialties,   chilis,  nuts,  dried fruits,  syrups and extracts,   exotic
coffees  and  teas,   from English breakfast tea  to  Russian  and  Persian
Caravans,   or  loose  Russian  and Yerba  Mate.    Even  English  Ty-Phoo.
Preserves,  preserves,  and more preserves.  Confections,  Kitchenwares and
books.

         Phone and Fax...Continental US Phone: 800-325-3483
                         California only: 800-228-3515
                   Fax...415-836-2250

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