Box Vox

packaging as content

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February 4, 2009

Vervacious

Vervacious 1

 Clockwise from left: Vervacious 2008 Signature Stack, Wasabi Ginger Mignonette, and White Truffle Apricot Mostarda. All pictures courtesy of the Vervacious website.

I went to Cardullo's in Harvard Square over the weekend. It's a store with row upon row of gourmet food (tea, coffee, honey, chocolate, wine, spices, candy), much of it imported, and is thus a wonderland of awesome packaging. I wandered up and down the tightly stocked aisles, drooling alternately at the food and at the stuff containing the food.

When I saw these Vervacious spices, teas, and sauces in the corner, I uttered a rather embarrassing squeal of delight. These beautifully crafted little glass jars are curved and structured so that they stack on top of one another to form a wavy glass tower.  It transforms an assortment of teas/spices/sauces/cocoa into a mini sculpture. 

Vervacious stacks

Left to right: Holiday Organic Tea Collection, Holiday Cheese Complement Stack, and Caribbean Holiday Grill Stack.

I must have looked a sight: stacking these jars as giddily as a baby who has just gotten her first blocks. Wouldn't you do the same?

There is something very satisfying about having an assortment or collection of things; perhaps it's the 'collect-em-all' mentality; or maybe just the aesthetic pleasure of seeing things that are obviously a 'set' yet are varied and individual. I think Vervacious' clever design plays off of and elevates this joy.

I also love how the glass really showcases the beautiful color and texture of the product. The whole packaging experience is one of a truly desirable, high-quality, artisanal product.

Vervacious textures H

Left to right: Sichuan Pepper Salt, Grains of Paradise Mignonette (the names!), and Cinque Terre Apricot Mostarda.

Vervacious is based in Maine (they're even on the Maine Tourism website), and their website provides a wonderful background story on founders Heidi and Mark, who voyage around on a sailing ketch called Verve (the sailing boat in the logo!), discovering awesome food. That sounds like a dream come true.


Melody Chang

Is having mignonette on a sailing ketch… in her dreams.

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