Masienda Blue Masa Harina
This finely ground, masa blue (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet, with a bit more of a robust nuttiness than its white corn counterpart. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.
Masienda White Masa Harina
This finely ground, masa (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.
Vain Mexican Vanilla in Cane Rum
Mexico is believed to be the birthplace of vanilla, so it’s no wonder Mexican vanilla is such a beloved varietal of the staple baking ingredient. Vain’s small-batch Mexican vanilla extract is prepared completely by hand using only the best ingredients: top-shelf cane rum and pure Mexican vanilla beans. No artificial ingredients in sight. The combination highlights that familiar vanilla flavor while adding a spicy undertone reminiscent of cinnamon or nutmeg. The rum’s mellow sweetness pairs well with the smooth, creamy bean—which is thicker and darker than other varietals with a strong, rich fragrance. We especially love that Vain Vanilla leaves its vanilla pods in the bottle, which has two benefits. First, over time the extract will continue to deepen in color and become more complex as the pods release more flavor compounds. Second, when you're done with the vanilla extract, you can still slice open the pods and use the beans themselves in your desserts.