Monday, April 6, 2015

Owners Gary Feblowitz (The JerkMaster) and Jodi Schoenauer (The GrillFriend)


Press Release - Twin Cities-based PimentoWood.com becomes sole U.S. importer of Jamaican pimento wood, leaves and charcoal, enabling BBQ lovers to stop jerking around – and start jerking for real!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SMOKIN' NEW EXCLUSIVE JERK GRILLING PRODUCTS HIT THE U.S.!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   November 5, 2011
Company Contact:
Gary Feblowitz
Exotic Wood Chips, LLC
12201 Minnetonka Blvd
Minnetonka, MN 55305
612-868-JERK
http://www.pimentowood.com/Pimento_Wood/Pimento_Wood_files/shapeimage_5.png

Twin Cities-based PimentoWood.com becomes sole
U.S. importer of Jamaican pimento wood, leaves and charcoal,
enabling BBQ lovers to stop jerking around
   and start jerking for real!
                                                
It’s a fact, Jerk
Today, in the US, 54% of people use wood chips to BBQ. One quarter of all Americans prefer jerk style as their favorite flavor of BBQ and now they can be satiated.
Twin Cities-based director of photography for TV and jerk cooking fanatic, Gary Feblowitz, has traveled the world working for Discovery, Travel and Food networks. Feblowitz became obsessed with the taste of Jamaican jerk. “I brought back all of the spices and recipes from Jamaica but I just could not replicate that taste.” Then it dawned on him: “It’s the smoke that gives jerk its unique flavor!” Smoke from the Jamaican Allspice Tree – called Pimento Wood.
It took seven years and everything but a machete to cut through the red tape, but Feblowitz, the self proclaimed “Jerk Master” and founder of PimentoWood.com, finally succeeded where all other importers failed: 
He became America’s only importer of pimento wood, the essential wood for authentic Jamaican jerk cooking – and now PimentoWood.com has taken delivery of America’s first ever shipment of pimento wood natural lump charcoal.
A charcoal unique to Jamaica – and exclusive to PimentoWood.com
For those familiar with Jamaica, you will know that, even there, it is hard to come by a regular supply of Pimento Wood Charcoal. “We spend a year gathering from various pimento farmers and bring it in only once per year.” 
“And because pimento wood is so dense, the coal burns almost twice as long as typical store-bought lump coal. And nothing else comes close to its authentic Jamaican jerk flavor.”
 Why Pimento Wood?
While jerk seasonings can vary, purists agree that the one indispensable element of truly authentic Jamaican jerk cooking is the Jamaican allspice tree – and not just the wood.
          “The crushed berries are rubbed into the skin, writes the New York Times. “The wood burns hot and slow; the green leaves are tossed on   the fire, releasing a sweet smoke that flavors the meat with a warm, woody pepperiness.”
 Every jerker puts an individual spin on the cooking process, but most follow the precepts outlined by celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern in a Mpls-St. Paul magazine article on jerk chicken: 
         “The best jerk-chicken stands lay the chicken on a bed of wet pimento leaves and sticks on the opposite side of the grill, far away from the     hot fire so the wood and leaves    don’t burn. The wood acts like a cedar plank, infusing the roasting bird with plenty of gutsy flavor, while the indirect cooking method works wonders on the chicken.” 
And the crowd goes... Ya Mon!!
Word travelled fast. Tim McKee, the James Beard Award winning Chef, was astounded when he first met Feblowitz. "I can't believe I found pimento wood in the US, then I learned the sole importer is in my back yard - Minnetonka! Are you kidding? What are the chances?" Three months later, he opened Smalley's Caribbean BBQ in Stillwater, the first restaurant in the US to use pimento wood smoke.
Why PimentoWood.com is America’s only source
“Jamaica is very protective of pimento wood,” explains Feblowitz. “Back in the 1950s, the entire population was nearly lost to overharvesting by umbrella manufacturers, who used the trees’ dense wood for umbrella handles. Today the Jamaican government treats the allspice tree as the national treasure that it is, and consequently monitors exports very closely.”
It took Feblowitz several years to clear all the red tape – both in Jamaica and the United States – before he was granted permission to import pimento wood products. 
 How did he succeed where others failed? “We take all of the tree, and we only harvest ones that are past their fruiting stage and trees that are damaged by storms. Moreover, we ensure sustainability by planting three trees for each one we take. And much of our profits go back to the pimento farmers.
 Where to obtain Pimento Wood products
The easiest way to shop Feblowitz’s entire stock of pimento wood products is by ordering directly from his web site, PimentoWood.com.  Recently, however, he has been supplying Twin Cities’ retailers, including Kitchen Window, with jerk cooking kits.
Jerk On!  About PimentoWood.comIn addition to selling the newly available pimento wood all natural lump charcoal, PimentoWood.com sells the full range of pimento tree products, including leaves, sticks, wood chips, Jerk Planks™ and authentic Jamaican sauces.  Kits are available to fit your personality. Are you a “Lil Jerk”, “Total Jerk” or “Supreme Jerk”?

For more information, visit www.pimentowood.com.

|GARY@exoticwoodchips.com|
(612)868-JERK (5375) Main|  (866) 510-0159 Fax |

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Friday, April 3, 2015

PimentoWood.com - The ONLY Authentic, Legitimate Importer of Pimento Wood, Leaves, Sticks, Spices and Sauces since 2006 for Real Jamaican Jerk Cuisine

Welcome to our blog! PimentoWood.com was established in 2006, and is the only legitimate and legal importer of products to make authentic Jamaican Jerk Cuisine.

Do not be fooled by look alike companies - their products do not go through the rigorous USDA and International Customs rules and regulations. You don't know what pests or bugs may be lurking in them just waiting to invade your home....

PimentoWood.com products are used by grilling enthusiasts worldwide, James Beard Award Winning Chefs, restaurants internationally, and carried in gourmet kitchen and spice shops.

PimentoWood.com has been featured in the New York Times, on NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox News, Food Network, Diners Drive In's and Dives, and endorsed by best selling and 5 times James Beard Award Winning Author and TV Personality Steven Raichlen (Barbeque Bible, Primal Grill, Project Smoke).

We pride ourselves on the meticulous care we put into assuring the quality of our products. We have long established relationships with the Minestry of Jamaica, JAMPRO, the Environmental and Agricultural departments of Jamaica. We are proud to employ the wonderful people of Jamaica and to represent Spur Tree Sauces.

Check out our Website, FaceBook page Pimento Wood and our You Tube Videos!

www.pimentowood.com

Gary Feblowitz and Jodi Schoenauer