Marco Polo explored the Orient in search of silk and came back with exotic spices and other…read moregoodies. The good news? You don't have to travel that far.
Spice Merchant is the standard for so many culinary wants & needs. You want an esoteric spice? Yeah, no problem, check the rack or ask a specialist to hook you up. Need a flavored syrup to make your favorite morning beverage? Yup, Torani is on the rack in a zillion flavors. Kitchen gadgetry? They got you, fam, from silicone to stainless steel. Point is, while the name is 'Spice Merchant', there is much, much more inside and forgive yourself for getting lost or distracted.
And then there's the star of the show, at least for me: the artisanal coffee. Their selection is simply sine qua non. Whether you want light roast or dark, or in between, flavored bean or just roasts, beans whole or ground, Spice Merchant has you covered. I am an absolute devotee to their French roast, the Old San Francisco blend. I get a pound, ground, and I treat myself about once a week with this gift from the coffee gods. Dark and a bit smoky and it accentuates all the best notes from the bean.
Maybe coffee isn't your cup of, well, tea. You're in luck if you're more with the leaf, because their loose leaf tea selection is unparalleled locally. If you prefer bagged teas and less mess, their boxed tea inventory seems endless. All of this is in its own separate nook, away from the powerful coffee aroma and focused more on the peace that is tea.
It's easy to get crowded amongst the aisles, but that's only because there is so much to choose from. Hot sauces, dip mixes, or other condiments are all over. Spice Merchant draws in local suppliers (hello, local honey) and small vendors from outside the area, so you're really shopping brick and mortar here. Anyone can click-click-click and order online, but if you want to enjoy the shopping experience, then you should make the time to visit Spice Merchant. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time.