The world spins a little smoother when my spice rack is well stocked. Unfortunately, my nearest grocery store doesn't always have it Pride of Szeged hot paprika has become a true food group in my life, seasoning my egg noodles with fried cabbage, creamy chicken, etc., which means that (more often than not) I order of my spices online.
Granted, I also have a Thomas Kinkade-y fantasy of filling my larder with a brick and mortar spice shop (preferably, owned by a man in a bonnet who weighs my cardamom on a scale copper), but I don't always have the time or bandwidth to make that fantasy a reality (although, Vices and Spices in my hometown of Santa Barbara almost). Fortunately, the internet exists for such moments, and it not only makes spices easier, but a kind of invention. Penzys offers test bags in its unique combination, including this Anger of Love blend, that the brand States a direct spice-response to the January 6 insurrection test (it goes well with hummus!); then there are brands like Spicewalla, whose collaborations with celebrities like T-Pain legitimately feel fresh and intentional (his latest drop benefit to people affected by Hurricane Helene).
So if you are out of cardamom or have no idea, let's look at the shelves of the best places to buy spices.
Amazon
Listen, you can buy everything and the kitchen sink on Amazon (you can, actually, even buy a prefab house), so of course you'll find plenty of spices at the retail behemoth. I went to Amazon when I stocked up on sea salt vinegar seasoning espelette pepperthe light, fresh Basque region chili that punches up my fish and stews without feeling overpowering.
Burlap and Barrel
Burlap & Barrel (yes, in Shark Tank Fame) buy directly from small farmswhich means you are doing your part to support more friendly to the planet and community practice a source spice sourcing when you bring home his blend of smoked black cardamom, Caribbean bay leavesand so on. Explore its offerings through categories such as spice, collection, collaboration (including the new Dr. Jane Goodall co-created honey line), and food, and make your own subscription package (or gift one to a friend, which also makes for a great one last minute holiday gift).
Diaspora Co.
Looking for South Asian spices? Head to Diaspora Co., home to a wide variety of single-origin, heirloom spices especially from India and Sri Lanka. The company was founded in 2017 by Sana Javeri Kadri, who, as he explained to sitetired of seeing so many colonial causes of injustice in the spice trade – especially as a woman from Mumbai. As Kadri stated, “We are proud to pay our farm partners an average of 6x more than the commodity price. In a system where fair trade is only a 15% premium, we pay what we believe is a living wage.
About
Omsom has saved me from boring food, and (literally) dinners without sauce many times. The woman-owned, Vietnamese American-founded brand has made a name for itself with its line of instant, air dried noodles (think, boxed chili sesame noodles) that come with the perfect dose of their own spicy little sauce packets — but you can take the sauce packets home, too.
Purchase of Palestine
Shop Palestine is a digital storefront based in Berkeley, California, and an initiative of Middle East Children's Alliancewhich works to secure more rights for children in the Middle East. The store is home to more than just a family-owned spice business from Palestine and Lebanon (books, jewelryand ceramics abundant), and buying za'atar and sumac from Palestinian farms not only helps MECA's mission during continued bombingbut helps preserve the culinary and cultural heritage of the region's farmers as well.
Pearl River Mart
New York-based Pearl River Mart is an Asian market that offers everything from home decoration of pantry staples – as well as many Eaters that the staff love stocking stuffers – and it also boasts a smorgasbord of chili crisps from brands like Fly By Jing, Xi'an Famous Foods, Homiah, and more. (Shake the recipe section on the site before you shop for inspiration.)
Penzeys
Ah, Penzeys — the spice company that launched a thousand (well, many) supporters Reddit threads and customers. This Wauwatosa, Wisconsin-based spice company was founded in the 1990s and is like a spice commercial display by your coolest aunt wearing a tie dye (you know, the one you grew up following of The Grateful Dead, and now campaigning for democratic candidates in his. free time?). Spice blends have memorable labels (think, 1990s world village coffee house aesthetics) and unique blend designed by make frozen pizza less boring and sandwiches that are more exciting.
Delicious Spice
Savory Spice is kind of like the spice equivalent of the Library of Congress, because it's home to more than 400 spices. It has found particular success, according to the site, with it Spice & Easy recipe blends, designed to help beginners and time-strapped cooks to prepare onion dip, roast meatetc. in a pinch.
The House of Spice
The Spice House used to be operating since 1957and I love that its many spice offerings (see cheese board-themed gift set during the holiday season) can also be used as flatpackswhich are actually small 2-ounce bags; I'm always tired of the jar when I refill my spice rack, and it makes me feel refreshed.
Spicewalla
Spicewalla is the colorful, vibrant brand that makes me want to drink two dirty martinis, because its offerings, from a mignonette combination in various RAZOR – always feel interesting. You can shop by collecting, blending, herbs, and other categories, but it's the collaboration section that always strikes something more fun; now there is a speculoos mixture from the pastry chef Caroline Schiff which also benefits Southern Smoke Foundationwhich is working to help Asheville's recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.
Williams Sonoma
Although it's not a dedicated spice shop, I can always count on Williams Sonoma to provide slightly yassified, highly gifted mixes and spice bundles, from the classic salt players (think, Maldon and Jacobsen Salt Co.) to a true “rub library” with some of its best-selling mixes for meat, poultry, vegetables, and more. It also somehow makes perfect sense that the site should have a dedicated one truffle section.