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I've always scoffed at specialty spices, trusting that my supermarket-brand basil is just as capable as any fancy French or California variety. I mean, can there really be that much quality variation if there's only one ingredient? It turns out: yes. I recently visited Penzeys Spices, a national chain of spice stores featuring multiple versions of every spice and herb imaginable – all available for smell-testing in "smellevision" jars. I whiffed Spanish and Hungarian paprika, Chinese and Viennese cinnamon, and about 15 different chili combinations. Additionally, the store concocts its own rubs for meats and fishes, and even a sandwich spice to sprinkle on hoagies. If you don't live near one of the store's locations, no worries – you can visit the catalog and place orders online. Plus, the goods seem to cost a bit less than they would at a regular supermarket.
I left Penzeys with a headache from smelling too many whole pepper varieties, a bag of amazing spices and a newfound appreciation for some specialty food ingredients that I'd long overlooked.
