Taste Test – Raye’s Mustard (Chef’s Pack)

Raye’s Mustard based in Eastport, Maine has always been my favorite mustard brand. Originally established to service the sardine packing plants prevalent in the area but now a premium mustard supplier. I decided to mail order their “Chef’s Pack” and give them a try.

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The first one to sample was the Maple Horseradish.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The maple flavor was definitely present but the horseradish was understated.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Lemon Pepper was a nice brown mustard with a subdued lemon and pepper flavoring.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The Brown Ginger was a brown mustard with a mild ginger flavoring.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The final Winter Garden Mustard was flavored with Dill, Garlic and Celery.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

You cannot go wrong with any of Raye’s mustards as they are all excellent.

Taste Test – Lowrey’s Bacon Curls Microwave Pork Rinds

An interesting snack option manufactured by the Oberto Sausage Company in Kent, Washington these microwavable pork rinds make an interesting albeit unhealthy TV treat. Coming in a bag like microwave popcorn they pop up into puffy rinds in two minutes. Still sizzling when you dump them out they are hot and crunchy. Saltier than the store bought pork rinds the texture and flavor are very similar.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Taste Test – Tri-Sum Potato Chips

In 1908, J.P. Duchesneau drove his horse drawn wagon on an eight mile route delivering his hand-cooked potato chips to Leominster and Fitchburg establishments. Today the Tri-Sum Potato Chip Company‘s fourth generation is still operating the business. These are my favorite mass market potato chip, although no longer cooked in beef tallow as they once were they still maintain the unique flavor they are known for.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Taste Test – Maldon Sea Salt Flakes (Maldon, Essex, England)

Maldon Sea Salt flakes are my favorite finishing salt. The large flakes are perfect for a final salting on meat, fish or vegetables. Do not waste on cooking but use as a final accoutrement to a dish. The large flakes give a satisfying salty crunch and the flavor is exceptional. The Maldon Salt Company has been harvesting the sea salt since 1882 using hand harvesting and traditional methods. They are perfect in both taste and texture.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Burg Trifels – Annweiler, Germany

Trifels Castle is a reconstructed medieval castle at an elevation of 1,600 feet near the small town of Annweiler, Germany. It is located high above the Queich valley within the Palatinate Forest on one peak of a red sandstone mountain. Trifels Castle is on the peak of the Sonnenberg, and on both of the other two rock elevations there are castle ruins: Anebos Castle and Scharfenberg Castle. Trifels Castle has been gradually restored since the 19th century and today replicas of the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire are on display here. Trifels Castle is also famous as the site where Richard the Lionheart, King of England was imprisoned after he was captured by Duke Leopold V of Austria near Vienna in December 1192 on his return from the Third Crusade.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

A castle reconstruction is an interesting change of pace after traipsing through so many old castle ruins.