Google
Select a destination:
Select a subject:
 		  
Google Nemesis
Online Royalty Free Photography
Travel store Maps, guidebooks, photos
CIA World Fact Book
Historical Timelines
What's new on our site?

Spice Markets
Last revised: 4 Sep 2006
  Some of the best souvenirs of any trip are spices. They're light, reasonably priced and literally bring a flavor of your trip back home. Of course, it helps if you know what to do with them, but even if you don't, you probably know someone who does, and spices make a great gift. There's usually no problems with customs, as long as the item isn't a raw bean (eg, unroasted coffee beans) or meat product. Educate yourself before you leave, learn what the common spices look like in various forms. During the trip, ask what gives the flavor to dishes you particularly enjoy. You may even be invited into the kitchen.

 More Recipes

  • Turkey
      The best spices from Turkey are the many peppers -- everything from mild paprika, to hot red peppers. Usually powdered, they're also found in paste form, and if well packaged, these travel and keep well. Saffron is available in several forms.  It's not as good as Iranian or Moroccan, but much cheaper, and for simple rice dishes, or soups, you just use more.   Watch out for 'Indian Saffron' -- it's just turmeric.   And there are now many different forms of Turkish Viagra -- from powdered ginger to walnut stuffed figs.  

      Spices can be found in many tourist areas, but avoid the prepackaged lots, often 5 or 6 spices on a foldout card -- these are both old and expensive.   Find a local market.  In Istanbul, the Egyptian Market is the exemplar.  Some bargaining is expected, but just by 10% or so.  Do ask prices, since some spices, like sumak are several times more expensive than more common ones.   100g should be enough for most purposes (about 4 oz). 

      Recipes

       

  • Morocco
    • Cumin
    •  
  • India
    • Cardamon
    • Vanilla beans
    • Cocoa pods
    • Tamarind
    • Coriander
    • Ginger
    • Turmeric

    Recipes

    Alternate display options:.[Show thumbnails]. .[Show 640x480 images]. .[Show full images].
    Chocolatier -- Fattier, CHAMONIX, FRANCE
    Spicewallah Delhi India
    Spicewallah Delhi India
    Woman with scales India
    Buying spices, Egyptian Market, Istanbul
    Spices, Egyptian Market, Istanbul
    Spice shop, Istanbul
  • Egypt

    Spice market Aswan Egypt
    Market spices Edfu Egypt
  • China
    • Ginger
    • Anise

     


    		•   

     
      Specific Spices:
    Saffron

     

    		 Absurdly priced in the US, saffron is affordable in many countries.   You do need to know a little about the differences.   True saffron is made from the stamens of the crocus, but other 'saffrons' are made from different flowers, sometimes even leaves.  Mexican saffron is one of these, it's very cheap, but gives a completely different flavor (though quite good).   Turkish saffron is very good, but you need to use a loose teaspoon of threads where a recipe calls for a few threads of Spanish saffron.   In Morocco, several grades of saffron are available, in both thread and powdered form.  All are good value and reasonably priced.  Iranian saffron is some of the best I've found, but priced accordingly.

    In Turkey, you'll also find 'Indian Saffron', but this is really Turmeric, a different spice entirely
    Sumak Mostly unknown in the US, this is a common spice in the Mideast.  Use it to flavor grilled chicken or fish, or just sprinkle lightly on a salad of tomatoes and sliced onions.
    Pepper Dozens of choices, so try tasting them and choosing what you like best.  In Turkey, commonly red pepper, with some browns.  Pepper pastes area also widely available.   In Mexico, both fresh and dried peppers are abundant, and the names change when a pepper is dried -- anchos are just the dried form of poblanos.  Chipotles are the dried form of jalapenos.
    Paprika Good paprikas are widely available, with tastes varying from sweet to moderately spicy.
    Cumin The national spice of Morocco -- found on most tables with the salt and pepper.  Used in many dishes here and in India, Mexico, and the Middle East.  Available in both powdered and seed form.  Roast the seeds to get a wonderful flavor 
    Coriander The powdered form (made from the dried seeds)  very different from the fresh leaves and stems (also known as cilantro).   Used in cultures throughout the world.   Use the fresh form in dishes that call for parsley!
    Turmeric The 'poor man's saffron', this spice is basic to many dishes in the Indian subcontinent, up through China. It provides a beautiful saffron color, and a distinctive taste. In the US it's most commonly found as a coloring agent in chicken soup.
    Tea  
    		 
      More on markets, souks and bazaars  
    Put eBay on AUTOPILOT! Earn a serious income with a part-time effort.

  • Request free brochures

  • Recommend this page to a friend
  • Cascoly Travel Home Page
  • Cascoly Online Games
  • Cascoly Photography

    • Cascoly Travel - we specialize in escorted and customized itineraries. Email us with questions or for quotes on customized trips.

    		All images on these pages are Copyright 1995-2008, Cascoly Software, or otherwise licensed for use on this site. All Cascoly pictures and photos are available for you to use on your website, blog or other projects.
    Photography: downloads and prints Wyoming - Grand Tetons NP
    Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com