Know of a store with inexpensive bulk spices?

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Viewing 21 posts - 1 through 21 (of 21 total)
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  • #595396

    ws4ever
    Member

    Especially spices used with Indian/Middle Eastern food. Thanks.

    #698100

    cjboffoli
    Participant

    I like PFI (Pacific Food Importers) on 6th Avenue in SoDo.

    #698101

    JanS
    Participant

    PCC has an array of bulk spices…and pretty good prices, if you don’t want to leave the island.

    #698102

    dtown
    Member

    I like Cost Plus World Market for spices.

    #698103

    CMP
    Participant

    World Spice Merchants on Western near Pike Place Market has an amazing variety of spices. They may not seem cheap, but compared to buying prepackaged at a store, it’s very cost-effective.

    #698104

    JustSarah
    Participant

    World Spice Merchants is always my top choice, with PCC good in a pinch. If you’re an Alton Brown fan, you might be interested to know that WSM is the spice store featured in a “Good Eats” episode some time ago (2003-’04ish?).

    *Note WSM is cash or check only.

    Related anecdote: about four years ago, I worked a seasonal part-time job at Sur La Table. A guy came in one day looking for spice racks, so I showed him our selection. He was scrutinizing them all very closely, especially the jars. I asked if he was looking for a particular style; he said no, he just wanted to make sure he chose one with all the spices he needed.

    His current spice rack was running out of his most-used spices…

    #698105

    Ken
    Participant

    Market Spice (in Pike Place)

    has everything. Real Cinnimon. Saffron by the milligram. Here is the list:

    http://www.marketspice.com/store/category/bulk-spices

    For the price per ounce part of “bulk”, “Cash and Carry” and Costco have large size of many more mundane spices and herbs.

    Cash n Carry has both mustard flour and whole seeds in 1 to 5 LB sizes for those of us who make mustard and condiments from scratch.

    Also note: Carolina BBQ fans can now buy “Texas Pete” brand hot sauce at Safeway. I have been mail ordering it by the case since 1988. This is the hot sauce that is standard on the table of every BBQ joint from MD to FL.

    http://www.texaspete.com/index.php

    #698106

    sam-c
    Participant

    another vote for PFI in SODO- that place is great. they have a huge selection of spices.

    I always have trouble though, with getting the spices in containers and labeled when I get home.

    (they also have great selection and price on bulk rices, chunks of chocolate for baking, cheeses, olives, etc, etc)

    #698107

    ws4ever
    Member

    WSB…priceless. Thanks!

    #698108

    johnnyblegs
    Member

    One more for PFI. That place is awesome. Besides having a ton of bulk spices, they have a fantastic cheese case about 15 feet long.

    #698109

    JayDee
    Participant

    World Spice Merchants is my go-to place for exotic spices like the sumac I purchased to make Z’attar. But PCC has pretty good selection, and I’d bet turnover to guarantee the spices are fresh. Though I have to admit the organic/non-organic labeled spice scoops give me a laugh every time I see them.

    #698110

    JanS
    Participant

    JayDee…leaving that up to the customeers is laughable. There have been times when I find the scoops all together…so who knows who used which one with what…still…I love their Korintje cinnamon…it’s great !

    #698111

    KBear
    Participant

    “Though I have to admit the organic/non-organic labeled spice scoops give me a laugh every time I see them.”

    Only in Seattle!

    #698112

    dawsonct
    Participant

    Another vote for PFI for bulk spices, but when I purchase smaller quantities I trust World Spice the most. They are a bit more expensive, but the quality is always there. In fact, I think they are a bit slavish to it, at times, as there are some great spices available around the world which they won’t carry because they can’t guarantee the source/quality (Indian coriander being one example). They have some very good dried chiles, but I have found most of them are available at Guadalupe market at the same quality but MUCH lower prices.

    I would be very careful with purchases from Market Spice; their dried herbs are notoriously sub-par (of course it’s better, and easy, to grow and dry your own. Still, some herbs don’t grow well around here). Market Spice’s focus is more on the tourists.

    #698113

    cjboffoli
    Participant

    SarahScoot: LOL! Really? That’s like shopping for a new car when you’re running low on gas.

    #927158

    marcowilson
    Participant

    Hello All,

    Please tell us to buy the spices food low cost?

    #927169

    melissa
    Participant

    While I only sell retail on line or at occasional shows (I mostly sell wholesale to stores and restaurants), I do sell bulk spices. If you’re near Arbor Heights, please contact me at melissa at the kitchen imp dot com if you’d like to chat about what I offer and perhaps stop by. I have organic, Fair Trade, and conventional spices. I have spices from basil and garlic to black cardamom and saffron, and everything in between.

    #927178

    Sue
    Participant

    QFC in the Junction has bulk spices also. Not as big a selection as other places, but worth a look if you’re in the area. It’s in the middle of the baking aisle.

    #927384

    biankat
    Participant

    There’s a huge warehouse type store in Renton called DK Market. Think of a Costco for Indian and Middle Eastern food stuffs. That’s where I go :)

    #927367

    rw
    Participant

    Morgan Thriftway has some, and the PCC in Columbia City has more. PFI, as mentioned a few years ago, remains a very good source, especially for some of the middle eastern blends, such as zaatar and dukah.
    During a recent trip to Renton I stumbled upon the DK Market, which had a large spice aisle with a lot of unique spices that I was unfamiliar with. The prices seemed to be very good. I was pressed for time that day, otherwise I would have spent more time there. But I definitely will go back and spend a lot more time checking them out. This large market’s focus is primarily Indian to Mediterranean, but they also had east Asian and Mexican goods. They are just off of Grady Way near a number of car dealerships.

    #927662

    marcowilson
    Participant

    One of my close friend told me you can buy the whole spices from the website.

    Garam Masala

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