[eyeJam]

As someone who is fairly obsessed with cooking and eating good food I've probably gone deeper into this area than the average consumer. There are plenty of authentic, "artisanal" (??? I don't even know what the fuck that means) small-batch food suppliers out there who provide a vastly superior product. I'm friends with some of these people in my area and they are obsessed with their craft and obsessed with putting out the best product. It borderlines on OCD and often leads to a deeply technical knowledge to go along with their sensory skills. I also know a couple frauds who've adopted the trappings of an expert and bluff their way to success. Same as any industry.

At the end of the day, most people aren't capable of tasting the difference anyways. It takes a while to develop the palate required to discern great from good. Most people eat their daily food quickly and don't really pay attention to the flavours of the ingredients. They just want something salty, sweet, crispy and fatty. That sounds condescending but its true and I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Lots of people let the radio or pitchfork tell them what music to listen to and don't care enough to expend the time refining their tastes. Their enjoyment of music is no less valid or real than anyone else's.

[HeyLaughingBoy]

What really bugs me about this (and yes, I realize I probably shouldn't care) is that the level of skill required to get to within 10% of the really good stuff is within reach of pretty much anyone. We're all so used to crappy store bought stuff that anything better gets labelled "artisanal" and sells for 5-10x the price.

Yes, I understand that there are many artists that are masters of their craft and deserve the respect and their prices. But there is also lots of crap that people pay good money for that tastes awful by any reasonable standard. A place near me makes these giant cookies that look awesome, but at first bite you can tell they're made with shortening, not butter. Sorry, but not worth the $3 price.

But any idiot with $10 can go to the store, buy the ingredients and make a couple dozen infinitely better tasting cookies by following the recipe on a bag of Toll House chocolate chips.

I think at the heart of it, what really bothers me is that because so few people grow up cooking anymore, we've lost touch with how easy it is to make good tasting food.

Rant off.