Imported Italian spice blend

[Midlife]

My wife and daughter spent a week in Italy last year and I was gifted a bag of a really good Italian spice blend they bought somewhere near Milan. I’ve run out and,  sadly, didn’t keep the bag. I’ve found a few possible subs on Amazon, but thought I’d reach out here to see if anyone has a great reference for a product I can buy in the US at a reasonable price. There are lots of US-made blends around, but the one they brought me seemed to be way more flavorful than any I’d used before. TIA!!!!

[TdeV]

I'm quite fond of Penzeys.

 

Edited to add that whole spices, freshly ground, often have a more intense flavour. Spicetrekkers a.k.a. Épices de Cru (from Montréal) have a Little Italy blend and possible other Italian spices.

 

 

 

Edited September 16 by TdeV
Another thought. (log)

[ElsieD]

5 minutes ago, TdeV said:

I'm quite fond of Penzeys.

As am I.  Correction:  I WAS fond of Penzey's when my niece lived in the U. S.  I'd have the spices shipped to her and she'd bring them up.  Then she moved back to Canada and no more Penzey's for us.  They will ship to Canada but between the shipping and duty, it's a bit rich for my blood.   I'd also process KAF through her.  Sigh.

[TdeV]

I find Spicetrekkers quite good.

[Midlife]

Penzey’s has a salt-free Tuscan blend that I’ve been considering as an alternative if nothing more promising turns up. 

[Midlife]

7 minutes ago, TdeV said:

I find Spicetrekkers quite good.

 

[Midlife]

Spicetrekkers appears to be in Canada and I’m in the US. Not sure about how buying from them would work. 

[Alex]

In addition to Tuscan Sunset, I'd suggest buying small jars of their Italian Herb Mix, Pasta Sprinkle, and, my favorite, Frozen Pizza Seasoning. You then can have fun doing taste tests.  

[pastrygirl]

52 minutes ago, Midlife said:

Spicetrekkers appears to be in Canada and I’m in the US. Not sure about how buying from them would work. 

 

 

I think it may be easier for US-ians to get stuff from Canada than vice versa.

 

[rotuts]

I agree w the Penzy's selections , above.

 

Ive had the all .

 

I use Tuscan Sunset when I want a little fennel flavor , and the Italian blend when i do not.

 

the other two mentioned are also nice , but i think contain salt.

[TdeV]

15 hours ago, Midlife said:

Spicetrekkers appears to be in Canada and I’m in the US. Not sure about how buying from them would work. 

 

Spicetrekkers have pricing specifically directed at US. Spices will appear on website in  US$.

 

Spending $60 will get you free shipping.

 

I once received some banged up tins and sent them a photo. They replaced the entire order (not just the banged up tins).

 

They have lots of interesting recipes also.

[ElsieD]

 

16 hours ago, TdeV said:

I find Spicetrekkers quite good.

 

We try to get to the Jean Talon market in Montreal a couple of times a year and were there a couple of weeks ago.  I always go the Èpices du Cru and pick up whatever spices i might need /want, the last one being Harissa spice blend.  Little did I know the real name of the place is Spicetrekkers until today.

[TdeV]

2 minutes ago, ElsieD said:

We try to get to the Jean Talon market in Montreal a couple of times a year and were there a couple of weeks ago.  I always go the Èpices du Cru and pick up whatever spices i might need /want, the last one being Harissa spice blend.  Little did I know the real name of the place is Spicetrekkers until today.

 

Actually, I think they're French. And so, they needed a snappy English name. So violà!

[TdeV]

The single most important thing about Spicetrekkers a.k.a. Épices de Cru (from Montréal)  is that they ship whole spices, even blends. So you grind what you need: amazingly flavourful!

[JoNorvelleWalker]

On 9/16/2024 at 2:04 PM, TdeV said:

The single most important thing about Spicetrekkers a.k.a. Épices de Cru (from Montréal)  is that they ship whole spices, even blends. So you grind what you need: amazingly flavourful!

 

Their unground ras el hanout is a wonder to behold.  I'm in the US and have not had trouble ordering from Canada.  Most of my spices though I get from Penzeys.  Penzeys offers Tuscan Sunset, an Italian style seasoning, as well as Italian Herb Mix.  I have never tried them.

[Smithy]

Righto, you Enablers...my spice cabinet has to make room. 🙂

 

[rotuts]

Im interested in trying a few of the above rubs.

 

as they are whole spice blends,

 

and thus not necessarily evenly distributed 

 

does on just try their best to get a uniform mix , then take out what they plan top use 

 

at a time

 

then grind them and use the result ?

 

if you used these whole spice blends , what's your method // dish ?

 

thank you .

[Smithy]

3 hours ago, rotuts said:

Im interested in trying a few of the above rubs.

 

as they are whole spice blends,

 

and thus not necessarily evenly distributed 

 

does on just try their best to get a uniform mix , then take out what they plan top use 

 

at a time

 

then grind them and use the result ?

 

if you used these whole spice blends , what's your method // dish ?

 

thank you .

 

That's a very good question, and one I hadn't considered as far as the uniformity of the mix goes. Here, for comparison, is the can of Apicius (Ancient Roman Blend) before and after stirring:

 

Before

 

After

 

You can see that a lot of fines had settled into the mix during transit. So yes, I think I'll mix/stir it, take what I want, and then put the rest back in the can for later. I don't plan to grind more than I'll use at once.

 

Incidentally, this stuff smells wonderful!