Wednesday, October 24, 2012

All those pretty Bottles and Boxes

No matter where I travel to there is always one point on the agenda that I never miss - a visit to a local store, supermarket, souk, bazaar - you name it, I go there. I can spend hours there sniffing out the local produce and sometimes buy something not even knowing what it is, just because the vintage style packaging appeals. This little box started the trend. I found it at my local greengrocers and still have no idea what to use this spice mix for (it smells a bit like allspice) but isn't the box pretty?
 
Spice mix
 

This was brought to us from Germany - a tin box containing 12 little bottles of after dinner digestive herbal liquor. Now used to store vanilla sugar.
 
I will have to use this pretty soon - great excuse to whip up a Tiramisu...
 
Found in Spain: Paella Spice Mix
 
Tuna Fish Spread from the Côte d'Azur
 
My all time favorite: Bovril beef extract as found in Spain, don't you just love the bottle?

10 comments:

  1. I love wandering through grocery stores and markets in the different parts of France and other countries we visit. I always see things I have never seen before.

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    1. That is what is so wonderful about travelling, right?

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  2. grocery stores and market are the first places i bee line to when traveling. the epices Rabelais is a spice combo used often in pate's and to rub on roasts. it is also said to have digestive benefits. i love your collection!

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    1. Thank you Jaz for telling me about l'épice Rabelais, so into the terrine de Noël it goes!

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  3. I came across Epices Rabelais some years ago and at the time I was told that it was a mixture of herbs and spices that would be perfect for terrines. But what matters is that it's a great box. My current favourite bits of packaging are harissa tins, jars and tubes - Harissa Du Cap Bon with its lighthouse emblem is in the lead for me at the moment. A local jeweller is selling a marmite jar with a solid silver lid, but somehow I think I'll stick to more everyday packages.

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  4. I am always attracted to European packaging. To me, US packaging is kind of boring, but maybe that is because I am used to it.

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  5. I think the packaging is charming! I agree with Penny, it's fun to see the way everyone else does packaging.

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  6. Great packaging...I love wandering in stores in Europe and looking at great tins and packaging.....the North American packaging is boring. Thanks for sharing your pics....love your Blog. Will now Follow.

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  7. I LOVE these! Thank you for sharing, the graphics are gorgeous. Oh, I remember Bovril from my auntie. My mom didn't have it in our pantry, but my aunt did and I was fascinated by the petite jar (the label has cleaner lines and has more visual 'punch' now, than way back ... when!) :) I miss the artful labels, they are all so beautiful!

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  8. You have found some interesting products~so colorful and inviting! I also spending time in grocery stores when abroad......just so curious!

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