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Thursdays have become even tastier, with the addition of beer to the Moscow Co-op’s wine and food tasting.
Co-op staff began their beer tasting last Thursday, and plan to alternate between beer and wine each week.
Co-op General Manager Kenna Eaton said the beers tasted will be those with more complex flavors.
“We wanted to mix it up for the new year,” Eaton said.
With Valentine’s Day coming up Thursday, Eaton said they have several plans for making this Tasteful Thursday special.
The Co-op has several sparkling wines lined up for tasting, with exotic fruits to accompany them. They will also have an electric cellist performing during the tasting.
The wine tasting itself is very informal.
Staff members will be available to help with both wine questions and pairing suggestions.
Eaton describes it as being off-the-cuff.
“We’re not high brow,” Eaton said. “We want people to try things.”
For those just beginning to enjoy wine or would like to start, Eaton suggests trying a variety of them.
“Experiment,” Eaton said, “taste test, and take your time.”
Since it started in 2007, the free event has become something more than just simply tasting wine.
“When we decided to sample wine, we said ‘Why not the cheese? Why not the bread? Why not the produce?’” Eaton said.
Tasteful Thursdays have since been a way of letting customers try products they may normally overlook, Eaton said.
It has also been helpful in educating customers on local growers and producers.
“Knowing where food comes from is important,” Eaton said.
Eaton said producers will accompany tastings and talk with customers about their product and the work that goes into them. Eaton said this dialogue becomes more important as the emphasis on global sustainability increases.
In addition, Tasteful Thursdays have been a way for the Co-op to get input from the community.
Katy Farrell, lead pastry baker, said the tastings give her the chance to talk to customers and get feedback.
It also gives the Co-op the opportunity to sample new breads or desserts that are not yet for sale.
“We want to keep things current and new,” said Farrell.
The local community is a large focus of the Moscow Co-op.
Eaton said the Co-op was designed with large spaces for friends and neighbors to congregate and converse.
Tasteful Thursdays is another way of building the community.
“Eating good food is what brings people together,” Eaton said.
The opportunity to meet and converse with local producers is not limited to just Tasteful Thursdays.
The Co-op will be hosting a ‘Meet the Makers’ taste fair on Saturday and from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 1, several northwest producers are scheduled to attend, including Moscow’s Camas Prairie Winery.
Company owners and their representatives will be present to give information and answer questions on their products.
Eaton said the Co-op plans to continue having Tasteful Thursdays until Spring Break, at which point they will evaluate if they wish to continue.
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