Stoneground Grits

[chilidog]

Anywhere in the Bay Area to get Stone Ground grits? Love Hoppinjohns, but shipping adds up!

Thanks.

[cakebaker]

Rainbow has Anson Mills white "quick" (90 minutes or they recommend soaking overnight or in a slow cooker) grits in bulk. Amazing. About $6.00 per pound. Also check them before you buy since they go rancid quickly and they keep them in the bulk section at room temp.

[Robert Lauriston]

I keep them in a zipper bag in the freezer.

[souvenir]

I have been intending to try Ridgecut Gristmills "Jimmy's Cracked Corn"
http://www.ridgecut.com/servlet/Detail?no=4

http://www.ferryplazafarmersmarket.co...

Any reports?

[souvenir]

I was in and out of several markets yesterday and found Jimmy's Cracked Corn at a Nugget Market. It's in a 24 oz bag, normal price 5.89, on sale for $4.31.

This morning we had them in a cheesy grits and eggs breakfast. I really, really liked the taste and texture. They are both lighter than some other stoneground grits I've had, and yet still retain a slightly gritty, corny texture, if that makes any sense.

Since I wrote my earlier post yesterday, I also found their facebook page where, in an Aug 09 post it lists some of the restaurants they sell to: BarbersQ, Cane Rosso , Ducca, Greens, Incanto, Rutherford Grill, Ubuntu, and Zin; and that in addition to Ferry Plaza FM, they have small bags available at Ubuntu's Annex.

I don't remember having Hoppinjohns, so I can't tell you how they compare, but if you can find them, I think they are worth a shot.

[Robert Lauriston]

What's their Facebook page? FB search doesn't find it for me.

[souvenir]

Hmmm... I was googling when i found it:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ridgecu...

[Robert Lauriston]

Thanks. They also have http://www.ridgecut.com.

[OldTimer]

I ordered some stone ground grits several years ago...with shipping costs, it was outrageously expensive. I find quick (not instant) grits fine for me.

[ChowFun_derek]

You can get Anson Mills grits from Boulette's Larder in the Ferry Building...S.F.

[Robert Lauriston]

They're $7 a pound, which is basically the same as mail-order (a 10-pound bag is $70.62 including the cheapest shipping option).

[ChowFun_derek]

Good to know..thanks!

[rworange]

You might stop by Tierra Vegetables at the Saturday Farmers market and give what they have a try. The farm is in Santa Rosa, but they sell at the market

Santa Rosa: Tierra Farm Stand – Badda Beans, plus Valentine’s Day Hopi Pink, Oaxacan Green, Hopi Blue and Bloody Butcher red corn meal
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/685372

First of all it won't be that much less expensive. IIRC, it was $6 lb.

Second, I'm not a grits person so we can split hairs over the differentce between grits, polenta, etc

Third, they are not stoneground

BUT ... they are ground weekly, so probably the freshest you will ever get.

They include the whole grain, so they are very nutritional. The two different colors I tried had two different textures and tastes. The blue was coarser and had a stronger taste. The green was creamier an smoother.

You can put in an order to buy a half a pound to try them out without investing in a large amount. Anyway, that is what I was told. Tierra can be a bit flakey on what they say and what they actually do.

[sitruc999]

You may think it isn't worth the trouble and get it closer, but look up War Eagle Mill in War Eagle Arkansas. A true working gristmill and they sell in bulk very cheaply and shipping is very low. If you can use the larger amounts, worth the trouble. They call them yankee grits. For a real treat, buy their yellow corn mill and the grits. Then mix them equal parts and make buttermilk corn bread (recipe on the back of aunt jemima cornmeal) and you will think you have died and gone to heaven. The grits have bits if corn you can actually see and baking it brings out the corn flavor.

[Robert Lauriston]

$8 for five pounds is relatively cheap.

http://www.wareaglemill.com/khxc/inde...

[SteveG]

Has anyone bought corn meal from the Bale Grist Mill in Calistoga? It's a CA state park that preserves an 1846 era water wheel and grist mill. They have grinding demonstrations on weekends and I think they accept donations in exchange for fresh-ground flour/meal.

Park info:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=482

A nice St. Helena Star article on Anchor Steam Brewery owner Fritz Maytag and the 70 lbs of wheat he grew on his Spring Mountain ranch and then ground at the mill:
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/...