BERMAN (and Maryland) Cabbage Leaf Plastic Bowls Amazon Review: Do you ever reach for a favorite utensil, cup or bowl? I do, and this is it! If you have ever looked on auction sites to find these bowls that apparently were once made in Ohio by Berman Industries—maybe they were the first to make them, those originals are apparently COLLECTABLE. Who knew? I didn’t. Several sellers’ sets of 8 6-oz. salad bowls and a serving bowl were running for $50 + $10-16+ in shipping. With tax, that could turn into $70. That is way beyond my budget. I spent around $6 on the same set in the 90’s-2000’s. Still, I find myself constantly reaching for them. Since I couldn’t find a few of mine recently, I thought I’d try to find some replacements online, not expecting to find any at all, but I did, and I’ve been paying a bit too much. Berman’s small bowl is 5-1/2” in diameter. But one of my bowls is 6” yet doesn’t say anything at all on the bottom, so I thought I’d never find replacements of that size. Imagine my surprise when this came in the mail today and was made of the same unbreakable material (similar to Tupperware plastic) as the ones I have rather than temporary party-wear that can crack. They look so simple, I never expected to enjoy them so much, but I have had the green Berman ones for some 20+ years and then later, a couple bigger 6” light blue bowls about 10 years ago from Ollies, but that’s all they had, which was disappointing. Last year I found two smaller Berman ones in a thrift store and was so happy because I can’t find these bowls anywhere, so on s whim last week, I searched Amazon as a doubtful shot-in-the-dark. I found one thinking it was probably made out of that breakable party plastic so I only ordered one to see its quality. When I opened the box today, I was so surpised it was exactly the 6” bowl, design mold and plastic I was hoping for and had bought before, only t blue! I don’t know the maker, but I’m so glad they are selling them. It’s not that they are expensive or fancy at all, but they are definitely lightweight and easy to hold because of the little ridge on the bottom, which makes all the difference for my arthritis. The Berman cabbage bowls are so unassuming that I never expected them to be collectable, actually, so that was shocking and the high retro prices were even disappointing. But it tells a story—that I’m not the only one who loves these little simple bowls. Again, I think I only paid about $6 or so for the large bowl with six small bowls the first time I found them, and actually, I guess I should’ve gotten more then, but those weren’t 6”. That extra half inch helps a lot. I would love to see these run in pale beach colors. That would be so great. I have wondered if there’s a way to dye these white ones. I keep seeing sellers say the vintage ones were from the 1970’s. Can that even be possible?! How would I have missed them—I didn’t find them till 20+ years later. To the Maryland maker, thanks for putting these out there. They are the perfect little go-to bowl. You totally made my day. I will immediately be buying more right after I’m done writing this. Update: I just bought these for $1.35 ea. around 2-3 weeks ago. But now they are over $5?? That’s upsetting, but I’m glad I bought a dozen, phew!
