Kitchn Love Letters

I’m a Professional Recipe Developer — And This Is the Small-Batch Spice Brand I Swear By (They’re Having a Sale!)

Katie Workman
Katie Workman
Katie Workman is the author of two cookbooks, The Mom 100 Cookbook and Dinner Solved! She is also the founder of The Mom 100, a website devoted to simple comfort food and a whole lot of cooking tips and inspiration. Katie is the Food Columnist for the Associated Press, and…read more
updated Aug 30, 2022
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Spices are in individual bowls on a marble, kitchen surface.
Credit: Kristin Teig; Food Styling: Catrine Kelty

I like to keep a watchful eye on the contents of my spice cabinet, replenishing bottles that are nearly empty and replacing anything that may have lingered a bit too long. During a recent tour, I noticed I was in need of a refresh. I cook often and in quantity, so dried herbs and spices are regulars in my kitchen. Once again, I had gone through a decent number of flakes and powders (and found a questionable bottle or two in the way back). It was time to renew my supply and I knew Spicewalla — a small-batch, allergen-friendly spice brand — would have everything I needed, and then some. They’re also having a sitewide Labor Day sale right now, so you can test out their spices for 20 percent off!

Credit: Katie Workman

Spicewalla was founded by a five-time James Beard award-winning chef, Indian-born Meherwan Irani, out of Asheville, North Carolina. He grew up understanding that spices are the foundation of all great food, and every year, his whole family would spend a week making their signature dhansak masala in his grandmother’s home.

The spices are roasted and ground in small batches and packaged to order in small tins, to ensure maximum flavor and freshness. The company sources directly from small suppliers in small quantities. Basically, its foundation is about working on a smaller scale to maximize quality. It also supports a number of organizations that work to alleviate food insecurity and children in need.

So, let’s to get to the herbs and spices — all 100 of them! There is a wide array of spices commonly used in Indian dishes, including cardamom, cumin, turmeric; fenugreek leaves, powder, and seeds; as well as Mediterranean-based staples such as rosemary, oregano, and basil. You can also find ground ginger, granulated garlic, crushed red pepper, juniper berries, coriander, sumac, and cloves. It’s hard to think of a spice that Spicewalla doesn’t offer. All but three of the spices are gluten-free, and there are no nuts in the facility where the spices are made, so there’s no danger of cross-contamination. 

Credit: Katie Workman

Aside from individual spices, the brand also offers a large number (30 and counting) of signature blends and rubs. Check out the Chaat Masala, Herbes de Provence, Golden Milk, Carolina BBQ Rub, Cowboy Grilling Rub. The Chai Masala contains ginger, green cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, and allspice. You can also find all of the ingredients listed clearly on the packaging, which is very helpful if there are allergies in your world, like there are in mine. (I have severe allergies to some spices, and when an ingredient list includes the words “and other spices,” that’s not at all helpful to me.)

If you’re in need of a pantry refresh, the Kitchen Essentials Collection contains 18 different tins of must-haves and sells for $100 — but you can get it for just $80 right now as part of their Labor Day sale. For a bit less, the 10 Pack Signature Blends includes a versatile mix that spans the flavor spectrum. There are also smaller bundles to choose from, so if you want to start small, which is the Spicewalla mantra, you can do that.

Do you have a favorite spice brand? Tell us about it in the comments!

Looking for more great deals? Check out our complete Labor Day sale coverage, and be sure to sign up for our Cook Shop newsletter for the latest sales and must-have home finds.

Buy: 18-Pack Kitchen Essentials Collection, $79.99 (normally $99.99)