best online shop to buy (whole)spices? [Moved from Home Cooking board]

[Strangette]

Hope this is the appropriate board to place this question.

If this profile fits you, where do you buy your spices online? I've spotted several shops but since I've never tried buying via the Internet, I do not know which store's spices are really trustworthy. I want to try more rare spices than even stores like Whole Foods doesn't have stocked.

Also, do you guys think the spices bought from internet stores are superior to store bought ones?

Thanks in advance for all any links and names. It's just so much easier to shop online instead of standing in the spice aisle for like an hour.

[tilmo]

Best prices you will ever find. I can garauntee that. Have a look at one of my local ads below.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-se...

[skunkymare]

Pendery's.com is my favorite place to buy spices, especially ristras and chilies of all types. They have a great mail order catalog and web site. I also have used Penzey's for 15 years. I will be checking out the other places recommened in this thread. Thanks,

[geekgirl]

bulkpeppercorns.com

[MsMaryMc]

I buy locally at World Spice Merchants, but they also do mailorder. Judging from the collection of business cards they have on display from chefs at many of the best restaurants in Seattle, I'm not the only one who thinks their spices and blends are first-rate!

http://worldspice.com/home/home.shtml

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World Spice Merchants
1509 Western Ave, Seattle, WA

[Quine]

I found World SPice Merchants on a visit to Seattle this Spring. Since then, I have ordered several times online. I highly recommend it.

Do try some of their unique spice blends! Fantastic.

[Rella]

I'll second that re Spice Merchants.

There is also
www.spicebarn.com
as an alternative to Penzey's

[tilmo]

I will comission you on every deal. Just give me a call and I will have you setup.

[OldDog]

Penzey's gets my vote, I've shopped their online store for years, great service, quality and prices.

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzey...

[LNG212]

I buy from the store itself; but Kalustayan's also has internet sales. Here's the link:
http://www.kalustyans.com

[Strangette]

Okay, thanks everyone. Penzey's is one of the store names that came across my search, so I guess I will check it out!

I think the closest I have to getting more than the regular (and good quality) spices is probably at Whole Foods. I don't know any other stores situated in New Orleans, so I know I'll be missing that sniffing experience. But I'll probably have fun looking around the online stores too.

Thanks again!

[davebough]

http://www.rafalspicecompany.com/Merc...
dave

[tzurriz]

Penzey's is fantastic. I've bought from them online, through the catalog, and my personal favorite, in the store. The quality is excellent each way.

[brucesw]

I'll second that, although I've only bought in the store, not on-line. That offers the advantage of being able to sniff the spices and ask questions of the staff.

For the OP: you seem to be from NOLA, while there's no store there Penzey's does have locations in Houston, Dallas and Birmingham; if you travel to any of those cities you could stock up.

Request a catalog or just spend some time on their website checking them out.