Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are you still grinding to order at the retail store?
To ensure the health and safety of staff and customers, we will not be filling custom bulk orders during business hours. For custom orders, place your order online for shipping or in-store pickup. For shopping and browsing in-store- spices and blends are available pre-packed. Pre-packed spices are filled on-site and rotated frequently so you'll still receive a fresh grind. Thank you for shopping with us!
Q: Should I buy my spices whole or ground?
When you buy from World Spice, you are getting great flavor either way because we grind to order within 24 hours of shipment. Spices begin to release their flavors as soon as you grind them, so freshly ground spices have more flavor. If you have a grinder and like to keep larger quantities of spice on hand it is ideal to grind them as you use them. If you go through your spices quickly - have us do the work! Just be sure to store them in airtight containers to keep those flavors fresh.
Q: How do I keep my spices fresh?
We like to grind our spices right before use for maximum flavor. That's what we do in our home kitchens, and with our outgoing spice orders. Grinding right before use isn't always practical or possible and that's where proper storage saves the day. For spices that are ground ahead of time, always use an airtight glass container and keep them away from heat and light to preserve freshness. Some spices are too hard or resinous to grind at home, and those require professional grinding and proper storage too. Another example is with our pre-packs and gift sets that need to be produced ahead of time to sell as a set. With all of these, freshly ground spices keep well for up to 12 months with proper storage.
Q: Do you charge for grinding spices?
No. You will see a difference in price between whole and ground when purchasing by volume, but this is due to changes in density due to grinding. The price per pound always remains the same.
Q: Is there salt or filler in your spice blends?
We never use filler of any kind, and use salt mainly in our rubs and occasionally in other blends as needed. We never add salt to a blend just to bulk it up. We have a large selection of salt-free blends.
Q: Where do World Spice spices come from?
Our spices are sourced all over the world. Some, like our saffron, are sourced directly from the producers, while others are bought strategically from foreign and domestic brokers, with maximum flavor and freshness as our guiding principle.
Q: Where do you get your spice blends?
We make all our spice blends in-house. At World Spice, our talented staff has been collecting and creating blend recipes for two decades! We cook all the time and are constantly tinkering with new spice combinations- we add one or two to the permanent archive each year. Please let us know if there is something you’d like to see added!
Q: Does World Spice Merchants make custom spice blends?
Yes. With a minimum purchase of one pound, we will gladly make your personal blend for you, using our pure herbs and spices. Contact us at [email protected] to make arrangements.
Q: How long will my spices last?
It varies. Stored correctly, some herbs and spices will maintain peak freshness up to a year, but others lose flavor more quickly. Ground spices have the shortest shelf life. Ground cumin and cardamom lose their flavor very quickly, while peppercorns and hard seeds like annatto or nutmeg may up to a year. Herbs like thyme and rosemary should be used within six months for peak flavor. When in doubt, we recommend using your nose. If your spices don’t smell like anything, they are not likely to taste like anything, and it is time to replace your supply.
Q: How should I store my herbs and spices?
Air, light and heat degrade the flavor of dried herbs and spices. For maximum flavor and shelf life, we recommend that you store herbs and spices in a cool, dark cupboard, in glass jars with a airtight seal.
Q: Are your spices and blends gluten-free?
None of our spices, herbs, or blends contain gluten. However, some of our spices, herbs, and ingredients may pass through facilities that also process grains containing gluten.
Q: Do any of your products contain nuts?
Our Hazelnut Dukkah is the only blend we offer that contains tree nuts. However, many of our spices and ingredients pass through facilities that also process tree nuts. Please contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns about allergens in our facility.
Q: Do you offer discounts for bulk purchases?
No. Rather than encourage larger purchases, we keep our per item minimums low and our per ounce prices the same for large or small orders to encourage our customers to buy only what they need, ensuring freshness. We do have a professional division that caters to culinary professionals buying in larger quantities. To apply for an account with our professional division, please fill out this Commercial Client Application and we will get you set up.
Q: Do you sell medicinal herbs and spices?
While many herbs and spices can be used medicinally, being a culinary store, our expertise lies in on how herbs and spices can be used to enhance the flavor of food.
Where is my order? Shouldn’t it be here by now?
We send an order confirmation email when your order comes in, and a second email when your order is shipped. The second email will have your package’s tracking information in it. If you haven’t received either email, check your bulk mail or spam folder first. If you have not received your confirmation emails, let us know and we can resend them.
Q: What should I do if my package has gone missing?
If the package has left our warehouse, but something has gone wrong along the way, please contact the carrier directly. They’ll have the most up to date information for you. Once an order leaves our facility, delays in transit are quite literally "out of our hands" and become the responsibility of the carrier. If you have a problem that you’re unable to resolve with the carrier, let us know and we’ll do what we can to help. Please note that we cannot assume responsibility for orders which are lost or stolen after delivery.
Q: What is your return policy?
At World Spice Merchants, we stand behind our products 100%, satisfaction guaranteed. If you are not completely happy with your purchase, contact us and we will arrange for a refund or exchange.
Thanks again for shopping with us, and remember we're just an email away if you have any other questions.
