I found a spice shop that offers fresh and custom spice blends

[ComfortablyNumb]

I've been going to physical therapy for a month now (that's another story) and found a card for a spice shop in Okanogan, WA. If you are all familiar with Okanogan, you would wonder what a shop devoted to spices is doing there. So, after PT I went to Okanogan to pick up my tractor tire from a tire shop (that's another story) and then sought out the spice shop. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, maybe some boutique shop that wasn't going to around long. Well, it was nothing like that.

The storefront is unassuming; one could drive by and not even notice it. The interior as well, a counter and a shelved wall with jars of spices. Signs behind the shelves read 'Persona' 'Signature', 'Ethnic' to name a few. On another wall is a small rack with several bottles of spices. One is called 'Thunder Fuzz Psychedelic Seasoning'. I wasn't planning on buying anything, just there to check it out, but there was no way I could walk out of the shop without a jar of it. I didn't even care what was in it, I just figured every hippie should have a jar of psychedelic seasoning.

Then I saw jar of 'Moroccan' and instantly thought of jfmorris and his recent post looking for ideas for Turkish seasoning.

Now I'm talking with the two guys, and they are telling me what they do. They make custom blends to order with a custom label. And there is no minimum, so you don't have to order 100 jars. The spices are blended whole then put through a burr grinder to provide the freshest product. I tell them about Amazing Ribs, and they pull it up on a large computer monitor. As we are talking about AR, I mention I have a KBQ, they hadn't heard of one. I have them pull up Bill's website. They are pretty impressed with it. I tell them it is easy to transport, that I could bring it to their shop. Now we are talking about having an event where they get some chunks of meat on a skewer smoked with different spices for people to come sample.

I ask what would be good to use my psychedelic seasoning on. He points out a QR code on the bottle, it takes me to a website with recipes and information about the seasoning. Turns out 'Thunder Fuzz' is a local band (I don't go out much) and this is their blend.

Well, enough of my blathering, check them out yourself.

Their homepage: Home

Their products for sale: Chef Heart Custom Spice Blends

The link from the QR code on my bottle of seasoning: Persona Blend: Thunder Fuzz

And a pic of the Moroccan seasoning

[RonB]

Sounds like fun.

[mrichie1229]

I agree.

[jfmorris]

Sounds pretty cool! Let us know how the spices are!

I bottled some of the Turkish spices tonight for myself and my son, and the bulk got re-vacuum sealed and dropped in the deep freeze. I’m gonna experiment with some rub mixes once I play with them more individually. I also order the book Eric ecowper recommended.

[ComfortablyNumb]

So far so good. I made a burger and seasoned fries last night nights, it’s posted in SUWYC. I’ll be posting breakfast this morning in the SUYB thread shortly.

[captainlee]

That's cool. Glad they are able to make a go of their business.

[ComfortablyNumb]

They also create spices and rubs for chefs and restaurants. Between their niche and mail order they can survive in Okanogan and keep their prices reasonable. I would expect to see a place like this in some upscale setting, like Leavenworth, Wa, but having to charge more for the location.

[Mosca]

This looks really interesting. I like the way they cross reference the herbs and spices and seasonings with different meats and vegetables. I’ll spend some deep time with it all later today.

[ComfortablyNumb]

I think it will be time well spent. And money well spent if you purchase as I doubt you can get spices much fresher. I haven’t played with it yet, but I saw some sort of spice wizard to help you design a blend to your tastes. Unless you buy an off the shelf spice, yours will be ground to order. But even off the shelf is fresh, it’s not like they had scores of premade bottles on the shelf, maybe a couple of each. The bottle I bought was prepared just 28 days prior.

[HawkerXP]

Far out man.

[ecowper]

I’m going to check them out …. Maybe the shop exists cause all the folks in Methow don’t mind driving over for good spices?

[ComfortablyNumb]

They blend spices for chefs and restaurants as well. I saw a bottle of spices for the Methow Valley Ciderhouse.

[ecowper]

ComfortablyNumb that's great. I like what I'm seeing on their website. Am thinking about having a couple of my rubs created by them, labeled, etc .... seems like a fun little side thing.

[ecowper]

I just put one of my rubs in using their spice rub/blend tools and the first jar is getting shipped to me. Going to see how this goes

[Santamarina]

Sounds like an awesome place. Having a good spice place local is a treasure.

[Richard Chrz]

sounds like a cool shop, and what a neat opportunity if you can bring your KBQ there and play around a bit!

I was expecting this to turn into a dispensary story

[ComfortablyNumb]

We are a legal state. But even if they do (and I don’t know if they can) blend some herb, they wouldn’t be able to ship it.

[Finster]

Far Out Man!!

[BBQandLove]

My Secret Santa gave me a $50 gift certificate to the store, and this is what I just ordered. I can’t wait to try it out