Buying spices

Hello all, I post on the Wine end of things but I'm pretty much new here.

I buy my spices from Penzey's, who I like; does anyone have a better suggestion?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I use Penzeys for nearly everything except saffron- really good Spanish saffron is available relatively cheaply at out local Indian grocery. Cynthia Wenslow turned me on to a great source for some specialty chile powders: wildpepper.com. Their smoked red savina is a real knockout.

Hello Stuart.

So how many salts do you have in your kitchen now?

Oliver,
We buy our spices at Penzey as well...it sure is convenient and helpful that they have a local retail store nearby.
Wm.

I only have four or five. My cooking partner has more salt than Imelda had shoes.

[Jenise]

Another happy Penzey's customer here, Oliver. I've never looked for 'better' because I've never imagined that existed. Have you recently been dissatisfied?

Except for a few specialty items that might be better (or only) obtained at local ethnic groceries, Penzey's is the tops when it comes to spices. I'd stay with them.

-Paul W.

Another Penzey's vote here

Yep, Penzey's. It helps that there's one of their stores is in town.

Another happy Penzey's customer here, Oliver. I've never looked for 'better' because I've never imagined that existed. Have you recently been dissatisfied?

Sorry, Jenise, don't check this forum often enough.

No, I've been very happy; I just wondered if there was anything else out there. They had real cinnamon, which was sort of amazing, I don't think many places sell it (there are some Piedmontese recipes that use it in eg beef braises and the US cinnamon would be way too strong). Mexican oregano, great stuff, different black peppers, one of which reminds me of smelling pepper as a kid in England (Sarawak, I think).

I also buy from Penzeys, but the last time I ate a meal cooked by Chef Shola Olunloyo at Studio Kitchen he was asked that question. He said he greatly preferred Kalustyan because their spices were fresher. I think Kalustyan started as a source for Indian spices in NYC but now I think they have more or less everything.

http://www.kalustyans.com/aboutus.asp

Frank

Thank you, Frank, I'll take a look.

I also buy from Penzeys, but the last time I ate a meal cooked by Chef Shola Olunloyo at Studio Kitchen he was asked that question. He said he greatly preferred Kalustyan because their spices were fresher. I think Kalustyan started as a source for Indian spices in NYC but now I think they have more or less everything. http://www.kalustyans.com/aboutus.asp

Frank

Piling on: I buy from Penzeys but found Kalustyans after a trip to India. It's great fun to top by their shop, and I've found their spices to be excellent. Regards, Bob