Artisnal?

[Harold Jones]

It used to be that "artisnal" was a tag used to make hipster douche-bag foodies, sorry that's redundant foodie will suffice most of the time, feel good about paying 3x the normal cost for some poorly made 'rustic' bread at the farmers market. Suddenly it's on everything, even Tostitos. When did this word end up getting slapped on f*cking mass produced corn chips? Does it even have a meaning any more, did it ever actually have one? It's like that other popular marketing term of art "natural" it doesn't really mean anything but it suggests a sort of inner wholesomeness. I saw vegetables at the local grocery store labeled "Artisnal" the other day, any day now McDonalds will offer an "Artisnal" Big Mac right alongside the Angus* 1/4 pounder.

 

*Angus is the most popular beef breed in the US, why on earth would you pay extra for it when the regular burger is most likey made from the same animal?

[rmgill]

The same thing goes for something with a Blue Ribbon on it....Does PBR win awards for anything but cheapness?

 

I judge artisanal based on quality not on the label.

[m1a1mg]

*Angus is the most popular beef breed in the US, why on earth would you pay extra for it when the regular burger is most likey made from the same animal?

I thought Hereford was??

 

EDIT: You are right.

Edited May 3, 2012 by m1a1mg

[Mr King]

I think artisan is a legit term, but it has also been used like Harold said as a marketing seem to get people to pay more for a crappy product. Locally there is a wonderful bakery I would classify as artisan. Yes their product is expensive but it is also of a quality and variety you find in very few other places. I think a good comparison is between factory made woodwork, and woodwork made by a craftsman. You can get a decent product out of a factory, but a good craftsman can add detail and his artistic touch to deliver a product you just wont get from a factory. Unfortunately the terms artisan and organic have been hijacked.

[Archie Pellagio]

Angus is definitely one I don't understand, it seems like as soon as someone wants to make out it is 'premium' beef they just mention it is Angus and voila, it's 50% more awesomeness tokens of win...

[Corinthian]

This is the first time I've come across the word 'artisnal' and the first thought that entered my mind was the word 'toilet.'

 

Re: Angus, same here. Always got disappointed with whatever they served with this as a label. Found it no different from other beef actually (except for the price tag). So now I'm wiser and I don't get into the "Angus hype." As long as it's thick, juicy, served a medium rare, soft, and melts in your mouth beef, I don't care if it's Angus or whatever.