Exotic Spices from around the World

where else in the world outside of Maharashtra can you find the special 'kala masala' or 'goda masala' as the locals call it? seattle, the foodie capital of this end of the planet, ofcourse! i found this place, World Spice Merchants, while traversing some local foodie mag or blog. my curiousity was immediately piqued when i read about it as they did claim to have some really exotic spices from around the world. i took myself there this weekend (its very close to Seattle's famous Pike Place Market) on an exploratory trip. as you're walking past the street its on (Alaskan Way), you can smell the whiff of strong spices but as you enter within, it can clear the worst sinuses. lo and behold, i did find some of the most amazing both whole and blended spices from both India, other parts of Asia (for e.g., the Chinese Five Spice Blend) as well as spices from Africa and Middle East (Turkish, Moroccan & Ethiopian spices). i couldn't resist picking up a few samples myself, as well as the book the spice lover's guide to herbs & spices by Tony Hill, the owner of the store. check out their website if you're interested in experimenting with a few yourself.