[Sca-cooks] Sca-cooks Digest, Vol 21, Issue 79

[Bhadra]

I have found that ethnic markets that cater to cultures that use a
lot of spices usually have very good prices on them. They may not be
quite as perfect and pretty as the top quality stuff you can get at
some of the mail-order places but they are often just as tasty.
 
Indian markets are a great place for many spices and some unusual
items can also be had at Asian markets.
 
It pays to do your shopping at these places when you can. As an
example, $20 will buy me a huge shopping bag full of stuff at the
Indian market, some of which I can't get anywhere else. Even for the
ones I can, I might have gotten three or four small jars of spices
for the same price at a supermarket or gourmet store for the lesser
priced items.
 
Dragon
 
Yes, I, agree as I have found that is true, plus they usually offer greater
quantities.
For instance Habiba had Giganto bags of sage leaf and bay leaf (just for
example)
I haven't experienced that the quality of the spices are any less either. 

I only paid $9.99 for 4 grams of saffron and thought that was terrific! 

I'm used to shopping in Asian markets and have once or twice stopped in at
an Indian
Market (both east and west, haha) but this was the first time I had shopped
a Middle Eastern market.
I've really never seen so many different kinds of beans or spices in my
life! You can bet I'll be
Spending more time and money at that store. 

Sabina