Natural Grocery

Independently owned, organic grocery store. Our Annex serves prepared foods and offers a selection of wine and beer. Our florists are here to help you with fresh local cuts and dried bouquets.

EL CERRITO STORE
10367 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-1155
Every Day Hours
PREPARED FOOD ANNEX
10387 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-5150
Every Day Hours
BERKELEY STORE
1336 Gilman St.
(510) 526-2456
Every Day Hours
Download Sales Flyer
Email Us
Join Our Mailing List
  • Our Stores
    • Our Stores
    • Sales Flyer
    • Departments
    • Calendar
    • Produce Notes
  • Annex
    • Annex
    • Sales Flyer
    • Menus and Departments
    • Calendar
    • Wine & Beer Notes
  • Who We Are
    • Who We Are
    • Resources
    • Eat Well
  • What’s New
    • What’s New
    • Sales Flyer
    • Calendar
  • Order
    • Order Annex Easter Dinner 2021
    • Order Wine & Beer
    • Gift Certificates
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Join Our Team
    • Hours & Holidays
    • Maps & Directions
    • Gift Certificates
Home / Archives for Blog

Asparagus (green)

April 16, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Season: February to June

Flavor: Its flavor is mildly sulphuric, mostly sweet and slightly nutty, more-so when grilled.

Storage: Store asparagus in a bag in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper between 32 and 36 degrees F. Properly stored asparagus can last between 1 and 2 weeks. Things can go downhill for asparagus pretty rapidly, especially the tips, so try to eat it as soon as possible. If you must wait, you can preserve your spring-y bounty by trimming the ends of the stalks and standing the bunch (still bound together — if you bought them loose, then tie them up for balance) in a cup of water in the refrigerator.

How to use: Some people peel asparagus, but unless you are dealing with exceptionally woody stalks, it is generally unnecessary. However, you absolutely should trim the end of each spear. The question is, how much should you trim before preparing? This tip takes the guesswork out of trimming: Grasp a stalk with one hand around the root end at its furthest point, and the other about mid-way down the stalk and gently bend. Wherever it breaks is where it should be trimmed to.

Don’t be afraid of Jumbo/XL/Large Asparagus! Fat asparagus is actually more tender than thin. Each stalk has the same amount of support fibers, so Large Asparagus stalk has more flesh in between those fibers.

The most important thing — by far — about preparing asparagus is not to overcook it. It is delicious raw, shaved or sliced quite thin, steamed or roasted or grilled (which enhances its nutty flavor).

Nutrition: Like most green vegetables, asparagus is good for you. Among its healthful properties are folate, Vitamin C, potassium, inulin (which is said to be “prebiotic” and is known to aid in digestion), anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and possibly anti-cancer effects.

Filed Under: Blog, Eating Well, Produce Notes, Stores_both

Blueberry Pints (Forbidden Farm, CA)

April 12, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Forbidden Farms is located in Santa Barbara County, CA.

Season: May to July (Forbidden Farm yields an early crop even for California!)

Flavor: Blueberries walk the line between tart and sweet, although cultivated varieties are now bred for increasing sweetness and large, plump fruits. Depending on the varietal, the berries may be very small (see: lowbush/wild varieties) or quite large and plump, and the color may vary from sky blue to deep, dusky purple. Wild varieties tend to have a more concentrated blueberry flavor, while cultivated varieties tend to be juicier.

Look for firm, dry, plump blueberries with smooth skin and no shriveled or moldy bits. Pass on greenish or red blueberries — this generally means that they are underripe. Some blueberries may have a faint white powdery coating (called “bloom”) that is naturally occurring and helps to protect the berries.

Storage: If you plan to use your blueberries within a day, store them right on the counter. Otherwise, stick them, unwashed, in the fridge in the container they came in. They will keep for up to a week. Take a quick look-through for any damaged berries and remove them before storing — damaged blueberries invite moisture and mold that can quickly ruin an entire container of the fruit.

How to use: Naturally, blueberries are delicious eaten out of hand, but they also add sweet-tart depth to lots of dishes, both sweet and savory.

On the savory side, blueberries pair deliciously with pork and duck. Toss a handful of berries into a green salad; or try gently mixing in some of the fruit with whole grain dishes, like quinoa or wheat berries. Blueberries are also quite delicious with cheese — team up blueberry preserves or fresh berries with goat cheese or harder, strong cheeses like Manchego for a sweet-salty-tangy flavor combo.

But where blueberries really shine is in desserts, their natural acidity providing a welcome counterbalance to baked goods, puddings and other sweet treats. Of course, there are the ubiquitous (but no less awesome) blueberry muffins and pies. Blueberries are also awesome in smoothies and in parfaits. Also try subbing dried blueberries for raisins in cookie and other dessert recipes.

Pro tip: 

  • Have you ever baked a batch of blueberry muffins, only to discover that your blueberries have turned green? This is because the pigments in blueberries (primarily anthocyanins) turn green when cooked with alkaline ingredients like baking soda. To correct this problem, add a bit of acid to the mixture, in the form of buttermilk or yogurt, and/or use less baking soda.

Nutrition: Blueberries are one of the world’s healthiest fruits. Not only are they a good source of Vitamin K, Vitamin C and manganese; they are also high in fiber and relatively low in calories. The little blue fruits are naturally rich in polyphenols, antioxidant chemicals that are increasingly linked to big-time health benefits, including in cardiovascular health, brain functioning (including memory) and even cancer prevention.

Filed Under: Blog, Eating Well, Produce Notes, Stores_both

Arugula

April 10, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Season: February to November

Flavor: Arugula is a peppery, nutty salad green with a sharp and bitter bite, like watercress. Be on the lookout for firm leaves without any yellow or signs of mushiness. Mass-produced “baby” arugula in pre-washed sacks tends to be very mild. “Wild arugula” is another variety with lacier leaves and a more assertive flavor.

Storage: Store in a container or bag to preserve freshness. For arugula with the roots attached, wrap a moist towel around the roots and store in a bag. Store in vegetable drawer or crisper around 32 to 36 degrees F.

How to use: Bunched arugula is notoriously sandy. Remove the root ends and place leaves in a large bowl. Fill halfway with cold water. Lift arugula out of the bowl and discard sandy water. Repeat, until water is free of sand, three to four times.

If using arugula raw, make sure leaves are thoroughly dry, because wet arugula does not take to vinaigrette very well and quickly clumps up. The best way to do this is with a salad spinner.

Arugula can be eaten raw or cooked. Arugula is great in salads with other greens, oil and vinegar. Arugula can be lightly sautéed and added to pasta dishes, vegetable medleys, etc.

Nutrition: Arugula is rich in vitamin C and potassium

Filed Under: Blog, Eating Well, Produce Notes, Stores_both

Bok Choy

April 6, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Season: Year Round in California

Flavor: Bok choy has a mild, cabbage-like flavor. As with most dark leafy greens, the green part of bok choy has a slightly bitter mineral flavor which can give way to an even, mild and “nutty” flavor. The white stalk is full of water and has a crunchy yet juicy texture. There are a fair amount minerals in the stalk so do use it!

Storage: Store in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator (32 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit) in a paper or perforated plastic bag. Do not wash until you are ready to use. Use within 3-4 days. If you use a non-perforated plastic bag it may keep up to a week but do watch to make sure it doesn’t go bad.

How to use: Separate the vegetable, no matter what size, into stalks and leaves. Cook the stalks first, time depending on size, then add the leaves, which typically take no more than two minutes to wilt. It quickly cooks, especially baby bok choy, and is commonly sautéed with garlic, chili flake, and soy sauce. Bok choy is classically used in Chinese and Japanese cooking, and is a great addition in stir-fry, curries, and soups. You can also cut it thinly and add it to salads, as you would any cabbage. Grilling works well but make sure you layer the leaves on top of something else so they don’t dry out before the stalks are cooked!

Although it will forever be known first and foremost as a Chinese green, the vegetable has worked its way into many cuisines around the world, particularly in the Caribbean, the result of the massive Chinese diaspora of the 19th century. Don’t be surprised if you see “pak choi” or “joy choy” on menus or in markets in Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica or Cuba. Some of these are the many varietals of bok choy and sometimes the names are used interchangeably.

Nutrition: Bok choy is a good source of Vitamin C, potassium and calcium. It is also a great source of beta-carotene, which is a precursor to Vitamin A. For those who do not eat meat or dairy, which are naturally rich in Vitamin A, these dark leafy greens can help fill the gap.  Plus, one cup contains just 20 calories!

Filed Under: Blog, Eating Well, Produce Notes, Stores_both

March 2021 Sales Flyer

March 2, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

2021 03 March Final

Filed Under: Blog

Look for the Cadia label in our store and enjoy – an abundance of simplicity.

February 25, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Look for the Cadia label in our store and enjoy – an abundance of simplicity.

Perhaps you have noticed Cadia Brand of products on our shelves and asked yourself “Who is this brand and what do they stand for?”.

Cadia was founded in July 2010 with the mission of creating a brand of affordable organic and natural foods that taste great. Cadia launched with 80 products including beans, juice, chips, and vegetables, and has now grown to more than 200 products. Cadia’s tagline is “Abundance of Simplicity,” and they believe just that. Cadia holds a firm belief that food should be enjoyed and even celebrated for the simple pleasures it offers. The products offered are farmed sustainably and use natural and high-quality ingredients. Enjoying honest, simple, and organic ingredients paves the way to a rich life filled with abundant pleasures.

The majority of Cadia’s products come from family farms in North America-many are second and third generation. Cadia supports family farming and seeks out suppliers who practice sustainable farming whenever possible.

Cadia is exclusively made for independent neighborhood markets.

 

Filed Under: Blog

El Cerrito Natural Grocery wins “Best Natural Foods Store” in The East Bay Express’ Best of the East Bay 2021

February 24, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Thank you East Bay Express Readers! We are thrilled that our El Cerrito Store is your pick for Best Natural Foods Store in the East Bay for 2021!

Filed Under: Blog

Vital Vittles

January 20, 2021 by The Natural Grocery Company

Do you know the history of Berkeley’s Vital Vittles? Our company has been working with them from the early days. We love whole foods and local producers! If you love their products, now is the time to show it. If you haven’t tried there breads, now is the time to do so. Keep Berkeley businesses alive!

Berkeley’s longtime ‘hippie bread’ bakery is in peril of closing

Filed Under: Blog

Christmas and New Year’s Hours

December 16, 2020 by The Natural Grocery Company

The only changes to our hours of operations are listed above. This applies to all our locations.

Filed Under: Blog

Soup’s On!

December 10, 2020 by The Natural Grocery Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Annex is cooking up organic soups! Your old favorites and new discoveries are ready to pick-up from our coolers in convenient pint size containers for $6.49 at all of our locations.

Beef Farro, Black Eyed Pea with Ham, Carrot Ginger, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Vindaloo, Clam Chowder*, Coconut Lentil Curry, Corn Chowder, Curried Sweet Potato, Mosur Ko Daal, Peruvian Chicken Soup, Split Pea with Ham, Silvia’s Chicken Posole*, Tomato Bisque, Turkey Brown Rice, Vegan Broccoli Soup, Vegan Chili, Vegan Tomato Basil, Winter Squash

Not all soups are available all the time but there are multiple offerings daily

*Clam Chowder and Silvia’s Chicken Posole cost a bit more

Filed Under: Blog

Next Page »

Subscribe Here!

* indicates required
Email Format

ALL PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

OPEN EVERY DAY
El Cerrito: 9am to 7:30pm, seven days a week
Berkeley: 9am to 7:30pm, seven days a week
Annex : 8:30am to 7:30pm
Wine opens at 9am
EL CERRITO STORE
10367 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-1155
Seven days a week 9am-7:30pm
EL CERRITO ANNEX
10367 San Pablo Ave.
(510) 526-5150
Every Day 8:30am-7:30pm
Wine: 9am-7pm
BERKELEY STORE
1336 Gilman St.
(510) 526-2456
Seven days a week 9am-7:30pm

Our Stores

  • Our Stores
  • Sales Flyer – Stores
  • Calendar

Annex

  • Annex
  • Sales Flyer – Annex
  • Calendar

Who We Are

  • Who We Are

What’s New?

  • What’s New
  • Sales Flyer
  • Calendar

Eat Well

  • Eat Well
  • Resources

Contact

  • Contact
  • Maps & Directions
  • Join Our Team

Copyright © 2021 · NaturalGrocery Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in