7 Specialty Spice Brands Infusing Your Kitchen with Global Flavors

An increasing number of independent spice brands are focusing on ethically sourced seasonings and authentic international tastes. Here are our top picks for culinary keepsakes.

Burlap & Barrel

Cofounded by Ethan Frisch and Ori Zohar, this company focuses on single-origin spices sourced from small farms and cooperatives worldwide, featuring delights like a savory-sweet smoked pimentón paprika ($10) from Spain's Extremadura region. Burlap & Barrel introduces new products roughly every week, including wild Timur peppercorns gathered with the assistance of a Nepalese nonprofit and dehydrated ramps foraged in the Adirondacks. burlapandbarrel.com.

Diaspora Co.

It all began with turmeric. In 2016, Mumbai-born Sana Javeri Kadri recognized that this vibrant powder was gaining popularity, yet the Indian farmers who cultivated it were earning minimal profits due to colonial-era supply chains. A year later, Diaspora Co. launched its inaugural product: Pragati turmeric ($12) cultivated in Andhra Pradesh by organic farmer Prabhu Kasaraneni. The company now features 30 spice varieties sourced from India and Sri Lanka, all directly purchased from family-run producers. diasporaco.com.

Essie Spice

To craft this Mekko dry rub ($11), Essie Spice founder Essie Bartels drew inspiration from her Ghanaian childhood, combining roasted peanuts and grains of Selim — the aromatic seedpods from the Xylopia aethiopica tree, often used in West African soups and stews. Her product range also features globally inspired items, such as a tamarind-guava-vanilla marinade and a mango-onion relish with a kick from Jamaican Scotch Bonnets. essiespice.com.

Moonflowers

This brand focuses on high-quality saffron threads (starting at $13), meticulously gathered from a family-owned estate in Herat province, Afghanistan. Founder Tahmina Ghaffer, originally from Kabul, established Moonflowers to highlight the country’s "red gold" while empowering the women who, until recently, constituted 80 percent of the saffron workforce. The future for these female farmers now hangs in uncertainty. Check the site for resources supporting nonprofits, refugee groups, and Afghan activists. moonflowers.co.

New York Shuk

Fragrant, rosy baharat pairs perfectly with a hearty bowl of couscous. Earthy hawaij enhances fresh Yemeni coffee. And, naturally, za'atar ($10) — the aromatic mix of Syrian oregano, sumac, and sesame found on tables from Jeddah to Jerusalem. New York Shuk cofounders Leetal and Ron Arazi tap into their family's heritage from Morocco, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey (now extending to New York City) to share essential Middle Eastern pantry staples with a broader audience. nyshuk.com.

Spicewalla

Conceived by chef Meherwan Irani — the mastermind behind Chai Pani and other cherished eateries in Asheville, North Carolina — Spicewalla supplies bulk spices to restaurant kitchens nationwide. But home chefs, rejoice: their website features nearly every blend imaginable. (Five spice? Chai masala? Herbes de Provence? They have it all.) Plus, there's a fantastic range of whole spices available in convenient sizes for consumers. Add these vibrant, aromatic pink peppercorns ($8) for a splash of color to your next dessert. spicewallabrand.com.

Villa Jerada

Initially established as an importer of premium olive oils from owner Mehdi Boujrada's homeland of Morocco, Villa Jerada has broadened its offerings to include seasonings, spreads, and rubs from throughout North Africa and beyond. After adding harissa and preserved lemons to your cart, sample their version of the classic (and delightfully versatile) Maghrebi spice blend ras el hanout ($10), crafted with rose petals, anise, nutmeg, and nearly a dozen other aromatic ingredients. villajerada.com.

This story originally appeared in the September 2021 issue of Dinogo, titled The Spice of Life.