I was fortunate to grow up regularly visiting the original Spice House in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. (The Spice House was owned by the parents of the people who went on to create Penzey's.) At a tender and impressionable age, I was imprinted with the sensual, magical experience of walking through their door and immediately being surrounded by a cacophony of smells and the promise of new discoveries. So needless to say, there's no way the Internet or a grocery store, no matter how convenient and practical, is going to be my go-to when it comes time to purchase my spices.
The advantage of a spice shop is being able to smell the herbs and spices you are purchasing. This is helpful to be sure they are fresh and potent but also to educate your nose. How does Greek oregano differ from Italian? And how is oregano different from marjoram? What dishes call for one but not the other? It also helps that a spice shop is always staffed by very knowledgeable, well trained, and enthusiastic spice geeks who are happy to further your education. And then there is the fact that you will almost always discover something new to try, something you may never have picked up if you just saw the tin sitting on a shelf at the grocers.
I'm lucky because I now live in an area where there are shops devoted to spices, such as the wonderful Oaktown Spice Shop in Oakland, CA, which is modeled after the Spice House in Wauwatosa. A trip to Oaktown is a special treat and I always leave inspired. Of course, there are times when I need to skip the spice shop, like when I need a spice or dried herb that I don't normal stock and there's no time for a special trip. Then I purchase the smallest amount possible from the grocery store, often from a bulk bin if possible. Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco has an amazing bulk spice collection, for example.
Where are the best places to purchase spices in your area?
Sources:
• Oaktown Spice Shop
• The Spice House
• Penzey's
Related: 10 Ideas for Better Spice Storage
(Image: Erich Valo)
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I love the Spice House! I used to live across the street from them--it's definitely a magical experience walking in the door.
Soulard Spice Shop (in the Soulard Farmers' Market, St Louis, MO) is a really great (and money-saving) place.
I always buy spices in bulk, most often at Whole Foods because it's convenient, but often at the Spice House (in Chicago). It's so much more economical to buy small quantities, and I know my spices are fresh!
I end up buying spices at an Indian stores or at an International Farmers Market. I buy them in bulk so I can have them on hand (small town handicap). Also, my mom manages to bring things back from India sometimes, so I definitely steal from her every now and then!
I get a lot of my bulk spices like cardamum pods and whole cloves (for making my own chai primarily) from Whole Foods. Otherwise I'm generally really fickle about where I get other spices.
The Spice House. End of discussion :)
Always ordered from Penzey's .. and now there's one here in Atlanta, so I go buy from them directly.
I'm in East Tosa and shop at the Spice House or Penzey's headquarters. Gotta love fresh spices.
We don't have a good Spice Shop near me, but whenever I'm in Boulder,CO I always make a point to go to the Savory Spice Shop...I love it!
Penzey's near Bloomfield! There is a spice shop in the Kerrytown Market near my house but the spices don't smell as good and they are so much more expensive than Penzey's that it is really worth it to drive there.
Honestly? I have never thought twice about buying spices from the grocery store. Tins, bottles, bulk bin all work fine for me. I didn't even know spice shops existed. I understand that you get what you pay for, so how much more expensive are the spices at a spice store? Or is it just the fact that you can get different or more rare spices? Are they really better?
I used to get all my spices from Penzeys but since I have switched to organics, I now just get them at the Whole Foods Market. Usually the really small containers of Simply Organic, or similar. I wish Penzeys did organics - their spices are so much better than everyone else's.
@Michelou - yes, the spices at the spice store are much better. It's not about the variety, it's about the quality. They are usually MUCH fresher than what you get at the store, and much higher quality to start with. Just try comparing Penzeys cinnamon to grocery store cinnamon - just sniff it. You'll see what I mean.
I wish there was an option to pick more than one place where we buy spices!
I buy most of my spices in bulk, but I'll go to a spice shop (most often The Spice Trader, in Toronto) for some spices that my local bulk store doesn't carry, like Aleppo pepper or amchur powder, and I get dried chiles from a Latin American grocer.
I mainly buy either at my local Penzey's or order online from The Spice House. I have bought some occasionally at Central Market in the bulk section.
The Spice Merchants has the best spices. Plenty of spice blends and they carry everything! Plus you can order online at www.spicemerchants.biz or visit one of their six stores through out the country.
I used to buy my spices from World Spice Merchants, down on Western in Seattle since it was close to my office. What an awesome place. Now that I'm in Milwaukee, I'm so happy to have a handful of Penzey's stores nearby. There's really nothing like having a wide variety of fresh spices available - my cooking wouldn't be the same.
i buy a lot of spices at the indian shop... they sell them in large bags and often have a larger variety of spices than you would expect. Others I buy bulk at the grocery store, bulk if its available and something i can use up before its freshness is lost
Penzey's all the way. Though it is harder now that they closed their Grand Central location.
When I lived in Sydney, the amazing Herbie's Spices was just around the corner (http://www.herbies.com.au/). Moving to the states I continued to use their online ordering until I discovered Penzey's. I still order some spice blends from Herbie's that I can't find at Penzey's, like Dukkah, Laksa mix and wattleseed.
I answered "from the grocery store (bulk)," but a more accurate answer would have been "from all these sources." I buy plenty of spices from the grocery, but I'm lucky enough to have a locally owned corner store that also sells spices in bulk. Their chili powder is more to my taste and their oregano is much more fragrant.
Also, I buy some spices and other seasonings --- lately, smoked paprika, fleur de sel, vanilla beans --- from a fancypants gourmet store (also locally owned). When I can't find an item from those shops, it's good to know I can turn to online sources like Penzey's.
Hey LAURAKAT, have you ever tried By the Pound in A2? They have a really great spice selection. Altho now that I'm moving to B'ham, I might have to finally give ol' Penzey's in Beverly Hills a try.
If you're in the Atlanta area, check out Your DeKalb Farmer's Market. I'll never go anywhere else when I can get fresh, imported spices for the cheapest prices I've seen--1/3 lb of Rosemary for $0.30? I'll take it!
At the health food store, where they sell them in bulk. By far the cheapest thing to do.
We have a gourmet grocery that sells them in bulk that we buy from. It is so much cheaper, and I can always be assured my spices are fresh. I get Herbs de Provence that would cost $$7.00 in a jar for $1.00.
I buy mine in bulk from an Amish grocery...much fresher and cheaper too.
There is a Penzey's a mile from my house. I go there. The spices are really fresh and are reasonably priced.
I buy my herbs and spices (and a lot of other products) direct from Frontier Coop Wholesale. It's where most health food stores get their bulk supplies. The quality is fantastic and the prices are amazing. I used to buy Penzey's, but Frontier is just as good IMO when you can control the storage and keep things fresh.
Buying spices from a spice shop is a thousand times better than any grocery store: the variety, the freshness and even the prices are sooo much better! and you get to smell the stuff!! Also, if you have any questions, they are always very helpful. My favorite shop is Savory in Westfield, NJ (they also have an online store).
I live in Oakland and love stopping by Oaktown Spice Shop! I love supporting a local business and the owners are very friendly and knowledgeable!
Savory Spice Shop, hands down, wonderful experience every time. And now they are spreading all over the country, so you might have one near you!
SAHADI'S.
Located in Brooklyn. Fresh spices & herbs, and the prices - Amazing!
The Spice House in Evanston, hands down. I love them so much, I pased my passion on to my mom who is now looking to open a spice shop of her own!
Also, someone asked how much more expensive a spice shop is compared to the grocery store, and in my experience it's so much cheaper for a far superior product and not just because you can buy smaller quantities, but overall.
On the subject of spices, does anyone have any suggestions of where one might buy poppy seeds in bulk? I find myself occasionally making tortes that require large amounts of them (a few hundred grams) and it just feels ridiculous to buy multiple bottles/bags. I did recently see that Whole Foods has them in bulk, but I haven't yet done a price comparison....(If it helps, I live in Minneapolis...)
I love Penzeys! I think they're actually cheaper than my grocery store, and certainly higher quality and more variety. For spices I run through regularly I buy the bags, which give you more for less, and repackage into my own containers. They always have some promo code for different freebies, too, and will throw in some extras sometimes which is fun!
We got to Penzey's in Minnesota's Uptown with our in-laws. Then we usually go back to their place and make an awesome dinner with the fun new spices.
Penzey's (online and in Menlo Park, CA) - for the Vietnamese Cinnamon
Rainbow Grocery (San Francisco) - a few harder to find things or when I need bulk
The Meadow (Portland) - salts and peppers
Although I grow & preserve nearly all my own herbs and a few spices/seeds.
I get most of my spices from an Indian grocery near my house - it has turned out to be a really nice and cheap source for spices.
World Market has high quality spices for very very cheap, so that's where I buy a lot of mine.
In the UK we're lucky to have The Spice Shop in Notting Hill, London. A tiny but colourful and fragrant shop, backed by a good internet service. http://www.thespiceshop.co.uk/
Picture of it here:
https://twitter.com/#!/ianpatterson99/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftwitpic.com%2Fa6rhp5
It depends ...
Just yesterday my wife and I bought two jars of Anise Extract for my mother at Shop Rite because it was so much cheaper than what she was able to get them by her.
I sometimes buy the very large bulk jars of spices (peppercorns for example) from BJ's. I've considered buying some hard to find items from internet based vendors but so far haven't had a need to.
I've yet to find any place that sells bulk spices by us but a Penzy's opened up in Albany so maybe someday I'll take a trip out there.
Penzey's in Arlington, MA and The Fresh Market in Hingham, MA. I love that Penzey's has catalogs that incorporate new spices into recipes-and they have tester spices for you to smell. The vanilla sugar alone is amazing!
At the cost you buy from stores in US and the delivery charge paid we might be able to courier the fresh spices from INDIA itself.
We are the manufacturers of spices directly in India.
We can get you huge benefit in making your purchase strong and stable supply with our in house facilities.
We are one of the Major suppliers for Private Label for Super Markets in INDIA.
We can get the Grounded (Single Crushed Spice / seed) as well as Blended (Blend of more than one item to get the exotic flavor & Aroma)
Please feel free to contact me on my ID SUNIL.MANGE@DKBROTHERS.COM
Thanks,
Sunil Mange
+91-9920695585
WWW.DKBROTHERS.COM