I'm obsessed with food. Primarily eating it, but I also enjoy cooking it. And due to the latter I'm…read morealways on the lookout for interesting spice blends. From Herban Farm in Pike Place, I got their Pike Place Herbs. When I was in Budapest, I went to the Great Market Hall and got two paprika tins and a taco seasoning blend from the spice shop there.
So while doing a lap around Granville Island Public Market and seeing a spice stall with a huge variety of salts and spices, I had to stop by. And I had to restrain myself given how much bag space I had left.
Jean-Pierre Coté will warmly greet you as you approach, giving you a rundown of what he has. All of the salts and spice blends are handmade, and the packaging is top notch, featuring the ingredients, a tasting note, and then recommendations on what to cook. They all come in a variety of sizes, from the small 28 gram tins, 50 gram sqaures, to 100 gram bags, 250 gram bags.
It will take you some time to consider what you want, and I highly recommend you keep talking with Jean-Pierre about his selection. I was looking for blends I couldn't get anywhere else, and the ones he pointed out were:
Turmeric saffron sea salt - hard to miss the bright yellow salt, which he points out you should add a pinch to your rice to really bring out a nice, Mediterranean flavor. I've done so, and it really does change up the flavor profile.
English Garden salt seasoning - you most likely will pick up this mix of pink and purples and wonder what is in there. You really need to read this fascinating mix of ingredients featuring vanilla, potatoes, blueberries and a whole lot more, which he points out is amazing on everything from salads to tempura!
Egyptian Style Seasoning - This spice blend really stole the show for me. I'm a big fan of cumin, but the hazelnut, coriander, mint and more really stands out. I was so exited by this once I made it home I found a great instant pot recipe for Egyptian lamb stew and I used this as the seasoning. WOW! I was eating it for 3 days (it was a big recipe), but the flavors did not disappoint.
If you live in Vancouver or just visiting and love food, or know someone who does, I cannot recommend Maison Cote enough. You are sure to wow yourself or a loved one with one of his blends.