A man in retirement has time on his hands. That's a truism, if ever there was one. Nevertheless, even though it's many years since I hung up my quill, I like to think my quiet, measured voice still resonates in the corridors of power.
Or, in this case, in the aisles of my local Sainsbury's. My subject today is Nuts - or, more precisely, I'm about to let you into one of Bill's ways of saving 33% on the price Sainsbury's would like you to pay for their Pine Nuts.
Pine Nuts, as any decent Italian worth his garlic, basil leaves, parmesan cheese and olive oil will tell you, are an essential ingredient in the classic Ligurian recipe for pesto. As a devotee of pesto, you will understand if I pay more than an ordinate amount of attention to the price of pine nuts. You can't make an omelette without eggs, and you can't make pesto without pine nuts (unless you buy one of those commercial brands that seems to think it's acceptable to substitute peanuts for the real thing).
On a recent foraging trip, I noticed that Sainsbury's appeared to have re-packaged their Pine Nuts, and that the price had increased by 50p per hundred grams. Have a look at this:
As you can see, they're promoting the product as a 'snacking' nut. You'll find it near the fruit and veg, and will be invited to pay £1.99 for 100grams.
That's all very well, but if you take the trouble to walk ten yards and find the 'cooking ingredients' section, you'll find the humbler version of the Sainsbury's Pine Nut still available for just £1.45 for 100grams.
If this was Bologna, housewives would be taking to the streets in protest. And I, for one, wouldn't blame them.
8 comments:
....... and Asda is the same ...... there is little hope. I pine for the good old days before pine nuts .....
You get this here too - eg dried apricots in the fruit and vegie area are nearly twice the price of in the bulk bins further on... etc.
I'll be investigating the sneaky methods at my supermarket too now..
Have you thought about taking up knitting instead of pinenut price comparison ?? it is as interesting in your dotage!! lol
I have some patterns over at my place
Hmm ... knitting, you say, 70steen. And there I was thinking I'd carved a new niche for myself with pine nut pricing as a suitable hobby for a retired gent!
I reckon hand knitted sweaters will be making a come back with rising fuel prices.... could be a canny investment on my part.. patterns for mustard coloured cardigans for sale anyone?? :-)
I love your Sainsbury's tips Bill, I think there's a whole book there potentially. I'd never weighed up the difference between snacking nuts and cooking nuts before but it all makes sense. They usually have another supply of nuts, Mega Expensive Snacking Nuts, near the crisps.
This is why I trust local produce at open markets; it's cheaper, more eco-friendly and when you buy produce from a man who sticks of manure, you know it's totally legit.
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