Is there any good place to shop for spices in the DC area? I know some people get their spices mail order from Penzys. I just ordered some paprika from a place called Spice House International and will see how that goes. I mean, $5 for a whole pound of Spanish smoked paprika: how can I go wrong, if it is not good, I'm only out $5 (plus shipping).

What other resources are out there?

You've probably already tried it, but Dean & Deluca has some ok dried spices. I really like Penzeys though, and coincidentally just ordered their Smoked Spanish Paprika. We'll have to compare.

I generally go to an Indian store to get most of my spices. They generally have quick turnover of their stock and cheap prices. There was one right at the cusp of Ballston that had great deals. Unfortunatly the last time I went to pick-up some pepper not only was the store gone, but so was the whole damned building. Now I have to find a new place to shop.
When I lived in MoCo I would go to an Indian store on 355 right by Montgomery College in Rockville.

You could consider checking out the bulk-container aisle at local food co-ops and natural foods stores to verify quality and gauge turnover. I love Penzeys, but obviously there are circumstances where you can't or don't want to wait for things to be shipped. If you don't want to have to deal with the little plastic bags at home or bother coming up with your own containers (recycled or otherwise), it might not be worth it to you.

I thought the spices at my Takoma co-op were usually fresh and a bargain, especially because I could buy only what I needed for one recipe, the next ___ months, etc., and if something smelled off I'd know before having to purchase it. Prices were the same for members and non-members. In contrast, I've avoided the bulk aisle at the Silver Spring Whole Foods because I never saw people stopping to get anything; they just seemed to hurry through with their carts.

Always Penzeys. I get so disappointed when I find myself in need of something quickly and can't wait for a delivery.

Like others here, I get most of my spices from Penzey's, but also occasionally order from The Spice House.

And neither should be confused with this Spice House!

Surprisingly or not surprisingly, I find some great deals on spices at Cost Plus World Market. I've been able to find good saffron, cardamom seeds, dried chiles, bay leaves, etc. there at decent prices. I'm always surprised that they carry stuff like Vegemite, Marmite, european mustards and Indian pickles, seasoning such as thai curry pastes and Maggi, in addition to japanese nori and wasabi. The only downside is that they're not always well-stocked with the stuff.

The Bethesda Co-op (6500 Seven Locks Road in Cabin John) has been selling a large variety of bulk spices for years, and the heavy turnover ensures freshness. Their prices are very gentle, and the staff is accomodating. Try their Thai spice mix if you enjoy heat-- it will induce tears when you bag it.

Speaking of spices, what's the best way to keep spices fresh for the longest amount of time? Glass jar? Baggie inside baggie? Freezer?

I don't usually buy in bulk, but I may be headed off to Zanzibar next month, and it just seems silly to return without my suitcase packed full and stinky with cloves, nutmeg, and cardomom!

I use glass jars and the freezer. Works very well to keep my spices potent.

RE: Indian Spices and Appliances (Ballston)...when they closed (because of said building being torn down) they were going to reopen at the same location, in about a year they said...who knows if that is still true...and I can't remember if that was a year or more ago! I hope they do reopen because I love that store, great selection of Indian stuff and the homemade samosa and breads kick butt.

The Mediterranean Bakery and Cafe place on Pickett Street by Duke Street and 395 sells spices...not sure on the quality...but you can always find something yummy to buy there!

There is sign on a storefront on Rockville Pike in the same strip mall as Sam Woo that says that Penzey's Spices will be opening soon.

I go to Roots Market in Clarksville. They have a section for bulk herbs and spices and herbal medicine. I get all the herbs and spices for my Palena chicken brine there.

I do that also and it works great.


There are quite a few Indian stores in the area that stock phenomal spices at great prices. In Fairfax, there is one at the shopping center besides Expo Design. I know quite a few more, but am running out the door. I will edit post later tonight.

Where do places buy their spices and dried herbs down here? More specifically I'm looking for stuff like ancho chili, chipotle, and chile de arbol powders. The ones in the grocery stores look so unappealing (and yes I know I could make my own chili powders....but I'd rather find a place in DC that carries it).

If you're OK with leaving DC, try Penzey's on Route 7 in Falls Church.

I would try some of the small mercados in Mt. Pleasant. Waitman and Mrs. B might be able to steer you in the right direction.

You know, I've been doing the Penzey's on 355 in Rockville. I'm just not seeing that their spices are so much better that it's worth the extra trip for me, although the staff is very nice. You can mail order their stuff, if you have a real jones for one of their mixes.

While I'm sure the spices are better than the stufff that's been on the shelves in normal grocery stores, if you have to make a big effort to get there, I'd try something more local or go ahead and do their mail order.

I am not sure that I would say that it is better than some of the top of the line McCormick stuff, but it is a whole hell of a lot cheaper.

For spices in general, previous discussion here.

Chiles de Arbol thread here.

Chipotle thread here.

You cook? When did that happen? Who's the girl

I've just moved into a new apartment, and because of various international incidents, have to rebuild my pantry, and my spice cabinet, from scratch. I bought my bare basics--pepper, cardamom, curry powder, oregano, and garlic powder--but I'm wondering what tack to take on the rest. On the one hand, spices go stale, so I perhaps should just buy them as needed, it would also be a huge outlay of cash to buy all 20 or so that I see as "basics," and I have limited storage space. But on the other, I tend to cook on the spur of the moment, and with erratic, unrelated themes, and have been thwarted more than a few times lately because my cupboard is so bare, resorting to ordering in more often than I like to admit.

What to do, what to do...

Dryspice.com sells the little silica gel canisters that come in pill bottles to absorb the moisture that makes spices go stale. I use them and my spices still maintain their aroma and potency for about 16 months.