bulk powdered broth at Berkeley Bowl

November 9, 2019 7:32 AM

When I lived in the Bay area I used to buy really great, fairly cheap ($7/lb) vegetarian stock powder (sometimes chicken flavored, sometimes "vegetable" flavored, both were good) in bulk at Berkeley Bowl. I moved away and can't find anything that's as good & as cheap, so I'd like to order it in bulk online. Does anyone know what brand it is? I don't think it's Frontier, which seems to be the most common bulk bin supplier.
posted by needs more cowbell to Food & Drink (8 answers total)

Response by poster: (also to head things off: I'm not looking for other broth suggestions, ie better than bouillon or whatever, I just want to get the stuff I'm used to cooking with.)
posted by needs more cowbell at 7:33 AM on November 9, 2019

Berkeley Bowl might just tell you what it is if you call and ask!
posted by showbiz_liz at 8:26 AM on November 9, 2019 [2 favorites]

2nd-ing giving them a call; they’ll probably tell you. Sometimes the supplier will be printed on the label of a bulk bin, it’s just not noticed until you need the info.
posted by furnace.heart at 9:27 AM on November 9, 2019

Mod note: Couple comments deleted. OP notes they're really only looking for the exact kind sold at the one place, not for other kinds.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:01 AM on November 9, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I dropped by BB and asked. The label on the box they fill the bulk supply from says it’s by “Gourmet Naturally” in Fairfield, CA. Also says “ABCO Laboratories” above that. The chicken and vegetable broth powders come from the same supplier, and are only available in commercial sizes. I can post label photos if that’s not enough information.
posted by migurski at 1:36 PM on November 9, 2019 [4 favorites]

Best answer: I think this might be exactly what you need!
posted by msamye at 1:44 PM on November 9, 2019 [1 favorite]

25 pounds is a LOT of broth mix. Is there a co-op in your new area who you can convince to carry it, so you can have fresh stuff?
posted by wenestvedt at 2:11 PM on November 9, 2019

Response by poster: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU msamye!

25 pounds *is* a lot but there's a 5-lb option for the chicken flavor and if I can't find another option I'll just buy that.

I know this may sound silly but it seems like the things I've cooked that I use bouillon for haven't tasted as flavorful since I moved, and since the inferior bulk stuff at my local co-op is $12/lb anyway, I might as well just order this as we head into soup season.
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:13 AM on November 11, 2019