Herma’s News – Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Fraktals, Turkey Orders, Panettone and NEW Kitchen Gadgets
Christmas — that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance — a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. – Augusta E. Rundell
Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause at Herma’s
Sunday, December 5th
Meet good friends of Herma’s and everyone’s favorite couple in red, Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause, this Sunday, December 5th. They have been so gracious as to travel all the way from the North Pole to add extra special Christmas cheer at Herma’s. We can’t wait for you to meet them.
Also this weekend…Fraktals Samples
We are very happy to provide you with little bags of Fraktals samples this weekend while supply lasts. Receive while making your purchase at the front desk.
Handmade in Aurora, ON, Fraktals sources the highest quality ingredients. Notes of Canadian maple syrup may be found in Fraktals’ spectacular buttercrunch core which is sandwiched between two layers of Belgian chocolate. It is then finished with a sprinkle of raw cashews.
Ordering Christmas Foods
Evan from the Village Grocer says he has the best turkeys you can buy and we have to agree. Evan gets his amazing turkeys from a small family operation in Alma, Ontario who feed the turkeys a special mix of grains for their entire lives. This ensures that the hens become plump naturally with no forced feeding. The turkeys are also free-range and gently defeathered to ensure flavor.
Last day to order – Monday, December 20th by Noon
Pick up dates – Wednesday, December 22nd to Friday, December 24th by 2 p.m.
Available to order…Turkeys, Capons, Gravy, Stuffing, Cranberries and Herma’s Signature Products.
To order call 905-885-9250 or stop by.
Panettone at Christmas
Melt in your mouth and made of the finest ingredients!
Panettone, a light brioche-style Italian cake, comes in many different forms – traditional, studded with candied fruit, citrussy and chocolatey. We are proud of our large selection of Panettone which are made from Italian families who have been baking and hand packaging their Panettone for generations.
When shopping for Panettone, beware of mass produced, production-style Panettone that is lackluster and dry. The soft structure of the bread should melt in your mouth. With no preservatives and made with only the finest ingredients the tasting experience should be a perfect balance between what you see, smell, touch and taste.
What’s more? Panettone comes beautifully packaged and ready for Christmas morning enjoyment, holiday entertaining and gift-giving.
Herma’s Panettone Selection
Our Panettone selection and ingredients that set them apart one from the other…
Loison Amarena (raisins and sour cherries) – Loison Marron Glace (candied chestnuts) – Filippi Panettone con Albicocche (apricots) – Filippi Panettone con Gocce di Cioccolato e Zenzero (chocolate and ginger chips) – Filippi Panettone Classico con Arancia e Uvetta (with Orange and Raisins) – Filippi con Arancia (with orange) – Virginia Traditional Panettone – Virginia Panettone al Limone (lemon) – Virginia Panettone Pera e Cioccolato (pear and chocolate) – Gilber Classico Alto (with soft raisins and fragrant candied citrus fruit) – Gilber Moscato (muscat grape and hazlenut glaze) – Gilber Crema Pistacchio (pistachio cream)
Just Arrived! Foods for Christmas
This time of year we are receiving shipments of amazing foods for entertaining and gift giving. It is so exciting and also a little overwhelming for me as I can’t keep up with communicating all that there is that’s new. Below are just some of my favorites.
Actually before sending out this newsletter about Parisian Baba Rhum cakes Herma notifies me that we are down to only three jars so I deleted my information about them. Just goes to show that if you are wanting something, better get it sooner than later.
Baratti & Milano Marrons Glace (Candied Chestnuts)
These treats are candied chestnuts with a delicate sugary coating. Very festive, they remind us of the delicious, warm roasted chestnuts sold on the streets of Italy during wintertime. They would be a wonderful addition to your charcuterie board, alongside a cheese board or featured on a dessert table. Pairs well with young red wines and is also lovely with champagne.
Hand-Roasted Nut Mixes
Find small jars of nut mixtures that will surprise and delight your taste buds along with that of your guests.
Smoked Chili Nut Mixture – Truffle & Pecorino Nut Mixture – Rose Harissa Nut Mixture
Buckingham Fruit Cake
Buckingham’s hand-made fruit cake recipe dates back to 1890 and it is still followed today. It is baked with juicy sultanas, currants, raisins, tangy mixed peel, sumptuous glacé cherries and a pinch of spice, along with of course, flour, eggs, butter and brown sugar.
At Herma’s we carry Buckingham’s traditional fruit cake, but with the added flavour of spirits and liqueurs.
Fruit Cake with Scotch Whiskey – Fruit Cake with Cognac – Fruit Cake with Jamaican Rum
Also recently arrived are ALDA pretty boxes of Pastry Cookies, Amaretto and Almond Cookies.
Dreamfarm’s Utensils – Make great Stocking Stuffers!
With all the baking and basting going on during the holidays, now is the perfect time to purchase Dreamfarm’s award-winning, innovative kitchen utensils. Check out our large selection of Dreamfarm products and discover what makes each and every one special and unique.
This week Taco suggests…Brizzle and Clongs Lite
Dreamfarm’s Brizzle – Scoop, Baste, Drizzle, Brush
5 Benefits of this unique Basting Brush
- Silicone flexes to get to hard-to-reach places in the pan.
- It can scoop up to 1 tbsp. of liquid.
- 4 holes inside Brizzle’s head controls the release of liquid onto its bristles.
- Its bent head stays lifted off counter for no mess.
- It is made of a heat-resistant material.
Dreamfarm’s Clongs Lite – Like an extension of your hand!
Click Button for Open/Close – Bent so tips stay lifted off counter – Waffle head for serving – Flat tips for picking up small foods – Made of heat-resistant nylon
Cheese for special holiday entertaining!
Festive Cheeses are making their way to our coolers one by one including some spectacular annual favorites from Italy everyone loves this time of year. They should be in our store by this weekend. Janis is also particularly pleased to have three very fine French cheeses this week hot in our hands as she puts it.
Langres
Langres is a washed-rind, cow’s milk cheese from the Champagne-Ardenne region and named after the medieval fortified commune from where it got its start. Despite its appearance, it is soft and creamy on the palate. The pronounced aromas and initial barnyardy flavours slowly give way to a mild, milky finish. An earthy red from the Burgundy region of France or Champagne would pair nicely with this cheese.
Pont l’Eveque
Pont l’Eveque is perhaps the oldest of the Norman cheeses and is thought to have been first produced by monks. It has a rich, creamy flavor and sweet gooiness similar to that of a Camembert, however as you approach the center of the cheese it will become firmer with more of a bright acid taste. This cow’s milk cheese pairs nicely with a full-bodied red.
Mothais a la Feuille
Mothais a la Feuille is a French goat’s cheese originating in the Poitou-Charentes region of western France. During its maturity period it is covered in leaves. While it does have a typical goat’s milk flavour, it also has a unique combination of earthy, lemony, mold flavours as well. Pairs well with Champagne or a single-malt whiskey.
We are proud to also carry a fabulous Le Gruyere AOP from Switzerland along with some beautiful, NEW Dutch Cheeses as well.
Sweety Drops are back!
Of special mention are jars of Sweety Drops which have a sugar-like sweetness like that of a sweet red bell pepper. They work well on salads, pizzas, sub-sandwiches, pastas, couscous and as an added accompaniment on a charcuterie platter. Find them in a cooler with our Signature Products.
Charcuterie
As always, be sure to check out our large selection of packaged salami, prosciutto and ham. Also don’t be afraid to ask to have Janis, Cora Lee, Margaret or Herma slice Fennel Salami – Porchetta Ham – Prosciutto – Pancetta – Mortadella the way you would like. They will be happy to perform this service for you.
Herma’s Panforte
Enjoyed as a special treat since the Middle Ages!
Panforte is a dessert known and appreciated since the Middle Ages. Panforte Siena PGI is one of the oldest traditional Sienese desserts. Its protective designation status provides strict control concerning its production process so that little has changed since long ago. We suggest enjoying small slices on a cheese plate with blue cheese or gruyere.
Panforte Morbido (pink package) is a soft cake with candied fruit and almonds.
Panforte ai Fichi e Noci (green package) is a cake with figs, walnuts and almonds. This savoury cake is the perfect addition to cheese platters or toasted in salads.
Panforte al Cioccolato (brown package) is a cake with candied fruit, almonds and chocolate. Try pairing with a blue cheese or Gruyere. It also complements coffee or tea perfectly and is irresistible with ice cream or a glass of sweet wine.
Panforte de Siena IGP Margherita (cream package) is a cake with candied fruit and almonds. This Panforte is special as it was designed by pastry chefs of the time to honor Queen Margherita who visited Siena.
Ordering Gift Baskets!
Herma creates the most spectacular gift baskets especially at Christmas. While she does have gift-baskets ready to go throughout the store, custom-made baskets may also be ordered. Call 905-885-9250 or stop by to speak with Herma about this.
Christmas Season 2021 has begun and we are excited to finally be in the midst of celebrating with friends and family. And for us that celebration means a visit from you, our loyal customers and friends.
Be well and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Meredith Ender
Communications Coordinator
Herma’s Fine Foods & Gifts
