Should I buy my spices whole or ground?
The spices that you should be buying whole and grinding yourself are ones that get their flavor and aroma from the oils they contain, which are usually of the volatile nature. These oils are frozen in time, retaining their intense flavors and aromas. The second they are ground; the oils are released, and the flavors of the spice begin to degrade at that point. If you buy pre-ground, they’ve already given away so much of their magic long before you managed to bring them home.
Do you charge for grinding spices?
No, as a courtesy for our customers we will grind any spice for you at the time of purchase at no extra charge.
Is there salt or filler in your spice blends?
We never use fillers or other chemical anti-caking agents in any of our spices or specialty blends.
Where do Silk Road Spice Emporium spices come from?
Our spices are sourced all over the world. I have taken great care in hand picking each one of our suppliers to ensure the quality and freshness of each and every spice sold in our store or online.
Where do you get your spice blends?
We have our own line of specialty spice blends under the label “Tastefully Tallant’d”, we also bring in specialty spice blends from all over the world to maintain the integrity of cultural flavors in these spice blends for your enjoyment.
How long will my spices last?
If properly stored in containers that light cannot penetrate and stored in a cool dark space most spices will last several years. You can use the guide below as a rule of thumb when it comes to the shelf life of your spices.
– Ground spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric): 2 to 3 years
– Herbs (basil, oregano, parsley): 1 to 3 years
– Seasoning blends: 1 to 2 years
– Whole spices (cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks): 4 years
– Seeds: 4 years (except for poppy and sesame seeds, which should be discarded after 2 years)
– Extracts: 4 years (except for vanilla, which will last forever)
– Vanilla beans – 2 years
Are your spices and blends gluten-free?
All the spices we sell are gluten free, Non-GMO, Organic and certified Kosher. We have gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of each spice we sell.
Do any of your products contain nuts?
All our specialty spice blends we have created in house do not contain any tree nuts nor are processed where tree nuts are present. We do not regulate the methods our suppliers use to grow, harvest, and process the products we purchase from them, however we have gone to great lengths to ensure the integrity of our claims.
Do you offer discounts for bulk purchases?
We would prefer you bought your spices in small quantities and order as needed to maintain the freshness and quality of each product we sell. However, we do have a commercial account available for the professionals who need larger quantities for their business. Refer to our Commercial Account application to set up an account for your business.
What is your return policy?
If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with any of our products, please contact us immediately for a refund or exchange of your items purchased.
What is the ratio for substituting dried spices for fresh?
If you don’t have a fresh herb, the general rule of substituting a dry herb for a fresh herb is 1 to 3 as dried herbs are more concentrated.
Are the organic spices produced in other countries required to meet U.S. organic regulations?
According to the National Safety Foundation, Organic products must be grown, handled and processed without the use of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals, irradiation, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or bioengineering. The USDA seal and the seal or mark of the organic certifying agent(s) may appear on product packages and in advertisements.
Do you offer discounts for bulk purchases?
We would prefer you bought your spices in small quantities and order as needed to maintain the freshness and quality of each product we sell. However, we do have a commercial account available for the professionals who need larger quantities for their business. Refer to our Commercial Account application to set up an account for your business.