Find of the Month: Spice Trekkers
They say you can’t tell ‘tone’ or ‘personality’ in an email, but in my correspondence with the lovely and spirited Ethné (one half of Montreal’s Spice Trekkers), I can tell you that I completely and totally felt the passion she and her husband Philippe have for their life’s work – bringing the world’s very best spices to us lucky Canadians. The married for 31 years twosome quite literally traverse the globe to source out authentic, aromatic, flavourful spices and bring them back to their Montreal shop (which has earned the distinction of being known as THE spice shop in town), as well as their online store.
If you’ve ever sat down for what you hoped would be a tasty, flavour-packed meal and are woefully disappointed, the truth is, it probably comes down to your spices. Most people know that spices lose their potency in as little as a year, depending on how you store them and their original quality. But in learning more about the spice trade while writing this post, it actually goes well beyond that. For one, starting with your spices in powder form allows crafty sellers to dilute their product with mix-ins that reduce the flavour power. In truth, good spices can garnish the same kind of fervor as good wine or good coffee – true connoisseurs of the kitchen, foodies, and really just those that appreciate a good meal will be able to smell and taste the powerful difference using fresh, whole spices makes in any dish.
So aside from me telling you that whole, quality spices are the way to go, how would one get into the spice game? As Ethné candidly explained to me, she and her equally globetrotting husband were both working as caterers, and were fed up by the terrible quality of what passes for ‘ethnic spices’ on the store shelves. They started hauling whole spices back on their travels and it eventually blossomed into their little spice empire in Québec – one that is currently building up steam and spreading across the nation. The happy couple have a good deal of accomplishments under their belt aside from their amazing shop – they’ve written a book (a second book that will also be available in English hits shelves this fall), starred in a TV series (with talks to do a second season, also in English), and their Spice Hunters box sets are frequently on back order. Beyond all the good they’re doing in Canada, they’re also working with suppliers in 20 different countries to create viable work for folks often living in developing regions.
Now that we’ve covered all the superb back story of Spice Trekkers, let’s talk about the gifting goods. You can buy ‘loose’ spices (a term I use loosely) depending on what you need – shop by cuisine or spice types or just browse the mind-boggling selection until you find exactly what you need. The spices come whole, so you will need a mortar & pestle or a spice grinder to unlock ’em for most cooking purposes. The best part is, they also come in gift-ready, vintage-style tin cans that are well-sealed to lock in flavour and freshness for up to three years. If you know someone is craving a particular cuisine, stock up on a few spices to get them through a bout of homesickness, pregnancy cravings, or a simple love of a culture’s food. Most spices start at the $4 range so you can easily afford to stock up – especially when you consider the crazy-high comparable prices of banal grocery store equivalents.
Alternatively, the Spice Kits do the guesswork for you and come in a range of sizes and prices. Collect them all over a period of time, or gift ones that best fit your giftee’s personal tastes. For example, if your husband or brother is a hunter, take an interest in HIS interests with the Hunter’s Spice Collection ($24) that features blends perfectly suited to season your big and small game or wildfowl. Maybe you’ve got an avid BBQer on your hands. The Grilling Spice Kit ($28) comes with six spices to ramp up the flavour of your favourite grilled meats, and makes a swell Father’s Day gift along with a pack of organic steaks or fresh fish fillets. If someone can’t kick a particular food craving, make sure their meals are sensational with one of Spice Trekkers amazing ethnic spice kits like the Masala Dhabba Spice Box ($35) filled with classic Indian spices. Spices, for the record, don’t necessarily mean spicy. We’re talking about the basics – including sea salt and pepper – and how much better they can make your food taste. If you’re shopping for a milder palette, try the Mediterranean Herb Blend Kit ($17) to season your favourite meat & side dishes.
It’s worth mentioning that in their travels, Philippe and Ethné have also collected some pretty spectacular loose teas as a secondary line. If you’re shopping for a tea lover, try out any one of their exotic blends ($6+ each) or go for one of their tea kits ($30+ each) for an equally gift-worthy choice. Mother’s Day is just around the corner after all, and if mom’s got a taste for tea, these are absolutely lovely gifts that manage to combine Canadian pride with international flavour.
I really can’t say enough pleasant things about Spice Trekkers. Their website is wonderfully organized and provides a real guide to cooking with quality spices – I highly recommend the blog for some multi-culti insight to their travels and haute cuisine. I’m also psyched to be giving away not one, but three prizes this month. You could win one of the Spice Trekkers books + travel guides (which come with spices) as well as a Grilling Spice Kit in time for BBQ season, or just the Grilling Spice Kit on its own, or an All Purpose Kit which has the possibility of taking you through 80 different meal combinations. Interested? Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by May 31st with links back & names of TWO of the spices, spice kits, or teas you’re most excited to get your hands on. I’m not kidding when I’m asking for links – if you don’t have ’em, your entry won’t count, so have fun browsing!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around June 1st to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province.
4) Bonus Entry #1: Check the Canadian Gift Guide every single day for the rest of the month – you’ll find bonus entry opportunities galore.
5) Bonus Entry #2: Get helpful cooking tips & recipes by liking Spice Trekkers on Facebook. Leave a comment on their wall with why you love the brand and you’ll earn yourself a bonus entry. Just let me know your FB usernmae in the comments below and / or a link back to your FB comment.
This is exactly what I need, I love spicy food but because of where I live and the fact that I am rather unschooled in the the use of them, their kits are what I need!! Definitely have to try these 2
Indian 101 Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
Spices 101 Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-101-kit/
I liked and commented on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SpiceTrekkers/posts/584601594894584
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/masala-dhabba-spice-box/ because I love Indian cooking and http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/oolong-tea/mint-oolong/ because I love a good mint tea.
Liked on facebook and left a comment (fb name Annie Demill)
For me, this is one of the best gifts you have posted!
That’s high praise Annie 🙂
I have giving a few of the spice kit as gift. They were extremely well received. I would love to have the Indian kits for my daughter who love indian food and is starting to cook at home. I would love the 101 herbs kit for my son, who just moved on his own. I have liked the facebook page of the Spice Trekkers. See my comments on Facebook under Sylvie Rozon.
I like the Mediterranean Spice Kit (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mediterranean-herb-blend-kit/), and the Herbs 101 Kit (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/herbs-101-kit/).
These are the ones that sounds the most intriguing to me: Green teas of the world kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/tea-kits/green-teas-of-the-world-kit/
and, the Indian 101 Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
I love spicy spices 😀 Didn’t see harissa listed but I’m sure it is on their list for the future 😀
Paella Spices sound awesome!
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spanish/paella-spices/
Curry Masala
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-blends/arvindas-curry-masala/
I’d love to try the oolong mint tea
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/oolong-tea/mint-oolong/ &
I’m really excited about the Madagascar vanilla pods
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/others/extract-bottle-madagascar-vanilla/
You’re right, this is a fab website. I’d choose the Indian 101 Spice Kit: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/ and the Spices 201 Kit: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
This is making me quite hungry :0
I’d love to try the grill spices kit, sound delicious and it’s the right season too – http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/. I also love Italian food so my next choice would be the mediterranean spice kit – http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mediterranean-herb-blend-kit/.
I’ve like them on FB and commented on their wall – Elizabeth Matthiesen
I need some new spices
I would love to get my hands on the CHAI TEA and THE GREEN TEAS OF THE WORLD BOX.
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-teas/
would like to try the Christmas Spices Black Tea and A Flavored Tea Kit, thanks
spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-teas/
I’d like to try the Hunter Spice Kit and the Chinese Five Spices spice
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/hunters-spice-kit/
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/chinese/chinese-five-spices/
I would like to try
Green teas of the world kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/tea-kits/green-teas-of-the-world-kit/
and, the Indian 101 Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
Fisherman’s spice kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/fishermans-spice-kit/
Spices 201 Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
I’d choose the:
Indian 101 Spice Kit: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit; and
the Spices 201 Kit: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
1. All-purpose Blends
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-spices/all-purpose-blends/
2. BBQ Classic Blend
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/canadian-american/bbq-classic-blend/
I’d love to try these:
Couscous Blend: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-blends/couscous-blend/
Lavender White Tea: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/scented-tea/lavender-white-tea/
Thank you.
My favourites would be these ones:
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/herbs-101-kit/
Herbs 101 Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
Spices 201 kit
1. BBQ Classic Blend http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-blends/bbq-classic-blend/
2. Charlevoix Tourtière spices http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-blends/charlevoix-tourtiere-spices/
mmmmm my hubby would love the indian spice. http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/ and also would love to try the http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mediterranean-herb-blend-kit/
I’d love to get the Hunter’s Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/hunters-spice-kit/ or the Grilling spice kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
yummmmm!!!!!
I would love to try:
1. the Grilling Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
2. Flavored Tea Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/tea-kits/flavored-tea-kit/
i like the chai spice blend http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-spice-blend/
and the herbs from the hills of provence http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/herbs-from-the-hills-of-provence/
My favourites are:
1. Green Teas of the World Tea Kit, and
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/tea-kits/green-teas-of-the-world-kit/
2. Indian 101 Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
I want to try:
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/masala-dhabba-spice-box/ and
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/herbs-from-the-hills-of-provence/
i love spices from all over the world
I’m most interested in:
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
and
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/herbs-101-kit/
I love all spices 🙂 grilling spice kit for sure!!!!! woohooo thanks
I’m most excited about the Masala Dhabba Spice Box after learning about the healing powers in spices this is the blend I would purchase. http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/masala-dhabba-spice-box/
Also excited aboth the Herbs 101 Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/herbs-101-kit/
Bonus https://www.facebook.com/SpiceTrekkers/posts/585743818113695
Thank you CanadianGiftguide.com & Spice Trekkers for the chance to win 😉 My fingers are crossed xx Good luck all!!
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/moroccan/cinnamon-00000/ (The best cinnamon ever? Count me in! I love love love cinnamon! I also would be interested to taste the difference between this and conventional cinnamon!)
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/curries-and-masalas-of-the-islands-kit/ (My boyfriend is from St. Lucia and he would be so impressed if I brought this home, I could make his countries national dishes! I love all of the spice kits and would be soooo happy to own any of them! (I am a HUGE HUGE spice girl!) But this kit really hits my boyfriends Island roots and I am in love! lol!)
Thanks for the amazing opportunity!!
I’d love to try the World Classic kits http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/world-classics-kit/
because I love so many different world cuisines.
I’d also love to try the Herbs from the hills of Provence http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/herbs-from-the-hills-of-provence/
because I love anything that reminds me of France and the food there.
I posted a comment on the Spice Trekkers Facebook page.
I’d love the Moroccan Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/moroccan-spice-kit/ and the World Classics Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/world-classics-kit/
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/fishermans-spice-kit/ and http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
These are my favourites. Liked and commented on facebook https://www.facebook.com/SpiceTrekkers?fref=ts
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spanish/paella-spices/
For some reason my son has been bugging me to make paella. This Paella spice blend would be of so much help.
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spanish/andalusian-pinchos-spices/
so I saw this Andalusian spice blend, while looking at the paella spices and thought, that would be great too, for summer barbeques
my 2 favourites are spice kits – Indian 101 Spice Kit – http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
and Spices 101 Kit –
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-101-kit/
Bay leaf sounds interesting to me. http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbs/moroccan-bay-leaf/.
And I’m also a tea lover so the saffron white tea sounds Great!! http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-teas/saffron-white-tea/,
id love to try these
Fisherman’s spice kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/fishermans-spice-kit/
Spices 201 Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
Pick me, pick me! Your next winner!!! Show me the money!!!
Indian 101 Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
Spices 101 Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-101-kit/
. It would be a dream come true and means more to me than anyone else to win. Starving artist here desperately needs the prize to eat again. Winner, winnner. Chicken dinner. A life changing experience. Top of my bucket list. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generousity.
I would love to try the http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
indian 101 spice kit and the fisherman’s spice kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/fishermans-spice-kit/
YUm!
What an interesting couple and a fascinating career! I loved reading your post today.
My choices are: Spice Hunters Favourite Spice Kit (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spice-hunters-favorites-spice-kit/) and the Spices 101 Kit (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-101-kit/). If I could choose a tea selection it would be the Szechuan Jasmine Green Tea (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-teas/szechuan-jasmine-green-tea/)
I have started taking Indian cooking class and love the infusion of flavours. So many of the spices are not part of my vast spice collection so I would love to include them.
My first choice is the Indian spice kit 101
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
The Mediterranean kit would be another choice.
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mediterranean-herb-blend-kit/.
I’d like the Little Italy Blend: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/little-itlay-blend/
And with summer on it’s way I’d also like the Grilling Spice Kit: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
I’d love to try:
Gyokuro Green Tea:
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/green-tea/gyokuro-green-tea/
and Fine Herbs for Salad:
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/fine-herbs-for-salad/
Hmmm there’s just so much awesome choices…
First one would be Curries and Masalas of the Islands Kit because we love making curries from different countries – http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/curries-and-masalas-of-the-islands-kit/
Second one would be Silk Road Chai – http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/black-tea/silk-road-chai/
I would like the (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mediterranean-herb-blend-kit/) and the http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/. Both sound fantastic
spices from around the world!!neat!!!
Wow! So many unique options… and to think that I’ve never seen this site because, I’m likely going to do an order. I’m obsessed with spices and teas.
The Spices 201 Kit (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/) and the World Spices (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/world-classics-kit/) are my favourites, for sure, though it is hard to narrow it down.
I’ve also posted on the Facebook page (/lsgfv)
I would like the Arbol Chile (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/chiles/arbol-chile/) and the Fuijan White Tea (http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/white-tea/fujian-white-tea/)
I would love the Syrian Anise http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spices/anise/
ANd the chai spice tea blend. http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-spice-blend/
TWO of the spice kits & teas I’m most excited to get my hands on are their …
Spices 101 Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-101-kit/ and
Chai Masala (Arvinda’s) http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-masala-arvindas/
Thanks
Chai Spice blend http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-spice-blend/
Chai Masala (Arvinda’s) http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-masala-arvindas/
I’m so intrigued by both Chais!
The ooling tea kit looks yummy: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/oolong-tea/mint-oolong/ but my guy loves to BBQ so I wouldn’t say no to the grilling kit either: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
Well Chai tea is my favourite: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-spice-blend/
and
I love that it’s not 101 but 201 for spices: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
I’d love to have cardamom http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/middle-eastern/green-cardamom-sri-lanka/
and ginger http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/middle-eastern/ginger-china/
I’d like to try:
The Mexican Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mexican-spice-kit/
Spice Hunter Favorites Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spice-hunters-favorites-spice-kit/
I have liked and commented on their facebook page as Julia Grant.
how about: http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/white-tea/fujian-white-tea/ and http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/fine-herbs-for-salad/
A lot of good choices. I love grilling so I’d pick http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/fishermans-spice-kit/ and http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/hunters-spice-kit/
Love the variety in the kits! I’d pick:
Spice Hunters Favorites Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spice-hunters-favorites-spice-kit/
and the Fisherman’s Spice Kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/fishermans-spice-kit/
Mmm I’d love to try the allspice http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-spices/allspice/
and the chilcosle chile http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/chiles/chilcosle-chile/
I like them on facebook, and left a comment, sarah perry
wow amazing spices!
Indian 101 Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/indian-101-spice-kit/
and definitely the:
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herbal-tea/chai-spice-blend/
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/turkish/aleppo-pepper/ — Aleppo Pepper
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/white-tea/saffron-white-tea/ — Saffron White Tea
I can’t wait to spice up my life.
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-teas/chinese-tea-kit/ – Chinese Tea Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/mediterranean/fenugreek/ – Fenugreek
Liked spicetreekers on facebook (Brenda Tse) and commented:
https://www.facebook.com/SpiceTrekkers?fref=ts
I want to try this blend especially for the tex mex and lemon pepper YUMMY ! http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/all-purpose-blends/
Summertime grilling says it all for wanting to try this kit http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
LIked page and commented https://www.facebook.com/SpiceTrekkers/posts/591643190857091
I like the Chinese Tea Kit at http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/tea-kits/chinese-tea-kit/ and the Spices 101 Kit at http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-101-kit/
Kashmir Saffron & turmeric~!!
Wow what a selection! I like the kits because I never know what goes with what!
A good versatile BBQ http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-blends/staffs-bbq/
and italian seasonings http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/herb-blends/little-itlay-blend/
Yum!
My 2 favorite spice kits :
1)http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/spices-201-kit/
2)http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/
I also really like their selection of teas, but im more of a spice girl
Commented on Spice Trekkers, Jaimee McAllister
So much to choose from! I’m excited about:
Chai Tea http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/black-tea/chai-tea/
and
BBQ Classic Blend http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-blends/bbq-classic-blend/
Celles que j’aimerais essayer: Route de la soie et Herbes Méditerranée… Quelle belle idée cadeau!.
I adore spicy food so these are only 2 of the spice kits I’d be interested in:
1) Curries and Masalas of the Islands Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/curries-and-masalas-of-the-islands-kit/
2) Mexican Spice Kit
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mexican-spice-kit/
There are so many great ones, but to start off I’m going to say: Silk Road Chai and Christmas Spices
My choice would be Saffron White Tea, so I could benefit from it helping me relax and sleep.
http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/shop-teas/saffron-white-tea/
I love pepper, so I have to pick the 8 peppers blend. A combination of countries.
Those are my spicy picks for the days.
Like all spices, especially HOT stuff. Like the grill spices kit, http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/grilling-spice-kit/ and the mediterranean spice kit – http://spicetrekkers.com/products-page/spice-kits/mediterranean-herb-blend-kit/.
I love Spice Trekkers. The presentation is so inspiring. I commented on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SpiceTrekkers?fref=ts