I'd like to share some conventional wisdom from working in the spice and herb world! Generally, the highest grades of spices produced in a region are exported (often to the US). See this fabulous article: https://food52.com/blog/15514-why-some-spices-are-so-expensive-why-you-should-spend-the-money
While I can't confirm this for Dubai specifically, I'd at least keep it in mind. Those oft-photographed towers of spices have been sitting outside, losing their glorious volatile oils to the fresh air. If you want fresh stuff, get it from, say, the Spice House who grinds weekly. Otherwise, I'd buy whole spices since it's possible that they have been harvested and processed recently. Oh, and BEWARE SAFFRON! It's the #1 most adulterated spice on the market with dealers dyeing everything from corn silk to crocus petals to turmeric that famous red. Very scandalous. ;)
I feel like a party pooper. Do have fun, Dubai is famous for its fabulous shopping! If you're a coffee lover, I think you'll be in the right place to indulge.
Thanks for the tip! My last time in dubai and I was thinking the same thing about how they r kept in open! Being Indian I am fortunate to get my whole spices from India. And yes I am a coffee drinker, any specific place?
No specific suggestions, but I did notice that the restaurant locator on Google Maps has some suggestions and reviews of coffee places in UAE. It's not easy to travel internationally and find good suggestions of where to eat, at least, it's not a process with which I familiar....
dried fruit is a great idea. hard to find those big quality ones here. maybe coffee as well. maybe couscous cooking vessels or griddles for flat breads. maybe they have some neat utensils like carved spoons and ladles, or different spatulas....
I would suggest you browse the bazaars and 'hardware store' equivalents there. keep in mind that it doesn't matter what THEY use the utensil for; if it looks well designed for what YOU have in mind, then it's useful!
6 Comments
While I can't confirm this for Dubai specifically, I'd at least keep it in mind. Those oft-photographed towers of spices have been sitting outside, losing their glorious volatile oils to the fresh air. If you want fresh stuff, get it from, say, the Spice House who grinds weekly. Otherwise, I'd buy whole spices since it's possible that they have been harvested and processed recently. Oh, and BEWARE SAFFRON! It's the #1 most adulterated spice on the market with dealers dyeing everything from corn silk to crocus petals to turmeric that famous red. Very scandalous. ;)
I feel like a party pooper. Do have fun, Dubai is famous for its fabulous shopping! If you're a coffee lover, I think you'll be in the right place to indulge.
I would suggest you browse the bazaars and 'hardware store' equivalents there. keep in mind that it doesn't matter what THEY use the utensil for; if it looks well designed for what YOU have in mind, then it's useful!