Some spice shopping links

Perusing the Telegraph's Wine & Food section, I came across a good article by Rose Prince on the decontamination of spices, methods used, and which brands and supermarkets are safest and best to buy from. Sensible advice all 'round. As previously remarked, I'm less than happy about buying spices from my local conglomerate, so was happy to see her list of specialist shops, which is repeated here:

Hambleden Herbs
Soil Association certified organic herbs and spices. The herbs are grown on the company's farm in Somerset and the spices sourced from around the world (01672 569 025; www.hambledenherbs.com).

Seasoned Pioneers
These excellent spices and original blends are packed in airtight foil pouches to protect them and are stocked by Sainsbury's. None are irradiated or fumigated (0800 068 2348; www.seasonedpioneers.co.uk).

The Spice Bazaar
Non-irradiated or fumigated spices from a small family business in North Devon. Excellent, informative website (01769 550158; www.thespicebazaar.com).

The Spice Shop
None of the spices in this shop in Notting Hill, London, are fumigated or irradiated (020 7221 4448; www.thespiceshop.co.uk).

Steenbergs Organic Pepper and Spice
An impressive range of 95 per cent organic, fairly traded spices from India, Sri Lanka and Turkey that is beautifully packed in small amounts. Spice blends are made in Yorkshire. Fair Trade Madagascan vanilla pods will soon be available (01423 326563; www.steenbergs.co.uk).

I've used The Spice Bazaar's online shop, and was very happy with the service, postage speed and products (some herbs and a couple of spices).

The Spice Shop, of course, remains one of my utterly favourite stores in London. Walking into the tiny shop is like walking into a mini Turkish bazaar, crowded with rare and fine treasures of the culinary sort, and scented with their heady perfume. Information overload is inevitable and I never know where to start looking, although certainly I never escape with a haul of less than half a dozen items!