How or why would you pick an isolated spice store, particularly when the store is located in New York City. A city that never sleeps (had to put that in) and has anything a foodie could want. Well, Kalustyan’s on Lexington Ave, in the upper 20′s is what I call a candy store for spice lovers. The store has the most amazing selection spices, teas, coffee, and cookware that I can think of.

Most of the equipment and spices cover the Middle-East, and South and Far East of Asia. The store has organized shelves that stock the spices in categories and  then in Alphabetical order. I love to get there at any excuse that I can think of, when I am lonely and feeling blue, when I am excited, when I really need something and of course most of all, when I am taking my students over. The last week when I was over I picked up some oat flour, mosty because I had never seen it before, pink peppercorns because they looked so pretty and ancho chili powder. I sustained myself with some of the tea and delicate sandwiches that they were selling in their cafe, which in itself is a very worthwhile place to visit. I dolefully eyed the tagines, that the husband will not let me buy until I clear up some space for them in the house.

So if you want to browse spices or want a place to check out spices, cookware and cookbooks be sure check out Kalustyans. While you are at it, feel free to walk further up and grab some Indian Food further up on Lexington.