Home of the BrewNosers

So I've been looking for some spices to use for Gordon Strong's Christmas beer in BYO and some of the spices are not that common. It inspired me to make a spread sheet and figured it would be useful to others as well. It's open for anyone to add to. I'm going to be filling a lot in of what's there over the next week or two as I'm looking for this stuff but feel free to add on other spices/ingredients and other stores than what I have listed.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc ... c&hl=en_US

It might be worth checking out spices in the old market down in the old brewery on Saturday. I got some really fresh and super good quality stuff from there this summer. With spices, like hops, quantity is secondary to quality and freshness.

Check out the little ethnic groceries. I'm pretty sure when I wanted a couple of ounces of Coriander seed, Marta went to the Indian place at North & Robie (and came back with a kilo!)

I haven't been to the old farmer's market since the new opened up. I haven't come across much in the line of spices at the new farmer's market but I did intend to check again when I'm there this weekend for my groceries. The fact it, several of the spices I'm actively looking can't easily be grown around here due to the climate.

I hadn't thought of the Indian place at North & Robie (I'm assuming you mean the one with the 220V sign). I have the Middle Eastern Cafe which is the next block over but I'll add that one too.

One of my brewing partners is going to India for six months. What, if any, spice should he look for over there?

KMcK wrote:One of my brewing partners is going to India for six months. What, if any, spice should he look for over there?

Saffron is WAY cheaper over there! My buddy's wife came back from Turkey with a big bag of it that was next to nothing. I guess it's all about the exchange rate

Costas Halavrezos at the old market not only has high quality specimens from a great range of spices, but AFAIK he has a catalogue to custom order others from some company in Montreal.

KMcK wrote:One of my brewing partners is going to India for six months. What, if any, spice should he look for over there?

Local chile peppers. India prodices an INSANE amount of peppers. FYI one of the world's hottest, Bhut Jolokia, aka ghost pepper, comes from India.

This stuff has Bhut Jolokias in it. I have some and it is HOT

Jayme wrote:I haven't been to the old farmer's market since the new opened up. I haven't come across much in the line of spices at the new farmer's market but I did intend to check again when I'm there this weekend for my groceries. The fact it, several of the spices I'm actively looking can't easily be grown around here due to the climate.

I hadn't thought of the Indian place at North & Robie (I'm assuming you mean the one with the 220V sign). I have the Middle Eastern Cafe which is the next block over but I'll add that one too.

The booth I was talking about is still in the old market. Its run by an older couple who travel a lot looking for tasty. My experience with them so far has been absolutely fresh, fantastic, whole spices. I missed the old market by an hour them two weekends ago when I was in town. I really hope they are still there.

I've founded whole allspice berries at Sobey's before (in little ol Amherst no less). Freshness may be less than ideal though.

I have a half ounce or so of Jolikia peppers that I bought from http://www.thespicehouse.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I gave some to Chalmers, but haven't had the opportunity/courage to use any yet. The package warns to wear disposable gloves and use in a well ventilated area!

akr71 wrote:I've founded whole allspice berries at Sobey's before (in little ol Amherst no less). Freshness may be less than ideal though.

I have a half ounce or so of Jolikia peppers that I bought from http://www.thespicehouse.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I gave some to Chalmers, but haven't had the opportunity/courage to use any yet. The package warns to wear disposable gloves and use in a well ventilated area!

Andy, the cackling goose in Sackville has a decent selection of fresh spices. They do them by bulk too so you can grab whatever you need, but you have to ask because they keep them behind the counter.

mgc wrote:Andy, the cackling goose in Sackville has a decent selection of fresh spices. They do them by bulk too so you can grab whatever you need, but you have to ask because they keep them behind the counter.

Sure, they keep the spices behind the counter. Do I need a code word?

akr71 wrote:

mgc wrote:Andy, the cackling goose in Sackville has a decent selection of fresh spices. They do them by bulk too so you can grab whatever you need, but you have to ask because they keep them behind the counter.

Sure, they keep the spices behind the counter. Do I need a code word?

Secret handshake possibly?

jeffsmith wrote:

akr71 wrote:

mgc wrote:Andy, the cackling goose in Sackville has a decent selection of fresh spices. They do them by bulk too so you can grab whatever you need, but you have to ask because they keep them behind the counter.

Sure, they keep the spices behind the counter. Do I need a code word?

Secret handshake possibly?

I think your looking for a different kind of spice.

akr71 wrote: I have a half ounce or so of Jolikia peppers that I bought from http://www.thespicehouse.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I gave some to Chalmers, but haven't had the opportunity/courage to use any yet. The package warns to wear disposable gloves and use in a well ventilated area!

I tried one of the peppers crushed on a pizza, and it wasn't terribly hot. I think it needs to be stewed to get everything out, or might even be better fresh. So don't be scared, give it a shot! I'll use one in my next chili/curry.

Does anyone know a place locally that sells muscavado sugar?

If anyone is still looking for spices, epices de cru in Montreal provides a really great product and will ship them. http://www.epicesdecru.com/en/store.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's a bit pricey but if you focus on the imported stuff then you get a good deal for your buck.

Sweet! They seems to have a pretty big selection at a glance!

costas halavresos sells their stuff at the old market on Saturdays.

Yeah, that's where I first tried them. Re: my earlier post, but now I order direct since they have a tonne of stuff on the website and I don't live anywhere near HRM.

Anyone tried the new place by Canadiana?

What new place by Canadiana?

TimG wrote:What new place by Canadiana?

I'm guessing that he's referring to this place?
Sent from my Android using Tapatalk.

Cool, sounds like a neat spot.