Buying spices to take home from Sri Lanka what to buy where to buy good quality and customs and packing tips
I want to stock up on SPICES to take home (the island is famous for them) What spices should I buy (true Ceylon cinnamon cardamom cloves pepper nutmeg) where do I buy GOOD QUALITY ones at fair prices (spice gardens vs markets vs supermarkets) how do I avoid overpaying or getting poor quality and any tips on PACKING them and CUSTOMS (bringing spices into Europe) I want a suitcase of wonderful authentic spices Spice buyers please tell me what and where and how
7 Answers from travellers
Shopping guide so the spices to take home picture a wonderful authentic buy What to buy the stars Sri Lanka is famous for spices the must buys TRUE CEYLON CINNAMON the big one (real cinnamon from here is the genuine prized cinnamon soft pale crumbly delicate quite different and superior to the harder darker cassia sold as cinnamon elsewhere buy real Ceylon cinnamon it is THE spice to take home) CARDAMOM (fragrant green pods) CLOVES PEPPER (good black pepper) NUTMEG and MACE CURRY POWDERS (the roasted Sri Lankan curry powder a great buy) and blends CHILLI turmeric and the rest also GORAKA (the souring fruit) and CINNAMON products (cinnamon tea quills powder) load up on the genuine Ceylon cinnamon especially Where to buy good quality at fair prices the options SPICE GARDENS (the tourist spice gardens give a lovely educational tour of the growing plants the spice garden threads BUT they often sell spices and ayurvedic products at HIGH marked up prices with a hard sell so enjoy the tour but be cautious buying there it can be pricey) MARKETS and SPICE SHOPS (a local market or a dedicated spice shop can have great fresh spices at fair prices but bargain and check quality) SUPERMARKETS the underrated tip the big SUPERMARKETS sell good quality packaged spices (including proper Ceylon cinnamon curry powders cardamom etc) at FAIR FIXED honest prices (no haggling no tourist markup reliable quality well packaged) so supermarkets are a brilliant reliable place to buy good spices at fair prices for taking home a reputable spice SHOP or brand also good How to avoid overpaying or poor quality buy the bulk of your spices at a SUPERMARKET or reputable shop (fair fixed prices reliable quality good packaging) rather than only the spice gardens (lovely tour but pricey to buy) for markets bargain and check freshness for cinnamon make sure it is real CEYLON cinnamon (the genuine soft pale type) buy sealed packaged ones for taking home (fresher and customs friendly) Packing tips pack spices SEALED (the supermarket packets are ideal) in airtight bags or containers (double bag loose ones so they do not burst or scent your whole suitcase) wrap in clothes cushion them whole spices (sticks pods) travel better than ground keep them in your checked bag Customs bringing spices into Europe generally DRIED SPICES (cinnamon cardamom cloves pepper curry powder dried packaged spices) are FINE to bring into the EU for personal use (dried commercial packaged spices are normally allowed) the restrictions are more about fresh produce plants seeds meat and dairy (avoid fresh fruit veg plants or seeds) so packaged dried spices are usually no problem (declare if required check your countrys specific allowances to be sure but dried spices for personal use are typically allowed) keep them packaged and reasonable quantities for personal use So for spices to take home buy TRUE CEYLON CINNAMON above all (the genuine prized soft cinnamon) plus cardamom cloves pepper nutmeg and Sri Lankan curry powder buy the bulk at a SUPERMARKET or reputable shop for fair fixed prices and reliable quality (enjoy the spice garden tour but it is pricey to buy there) ensure real Ceylon cinnamon pack them SEALED and cushioned in your checked bag and dried packaged spices are generally fine through customs into Europe for personal use a suitcase of wonderful authentic Ceylon spices awaits
The supermarket tip is the one most travellers miss they assume spices must come from a spice garden or market but the big supermarkets sell excellent genuine Ceylon cinnamon and spices in sealed packets at honest fixed prices perfect for taking home no haggling and no tourist markup
Sri Lankan curry powder is an underrated buy alongside the famous cinnamon the roasted blend brings the taste of the island home so pick up a few packs of a good curry powder and you can recreate the flavours of your trip in your own kitchen long after you leave
Double bag the loose or ground spices so they do not burst and perfume your entire suitcase I learned the hard way the sealed supermarket packets are safest and whole spices like cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods travel better than ground ones and keep their flavour longer too
Buy true Ceylon cinnamon above all plus cardamom cloves pepper nutmeg and curry powder with the bulk from a supermarket or reputable shop for fair fixed prices and reliable quality enjoying the spice garden tour but not buying there pack them sealed and cushioned in checked baggage and dried packaged spices are generally fine through European customs this is exactly the what where and how I needed thank you
Make sure it is real Ceylon cinnamon the genuine kind is soft pale and crumbly and rolls in delicate layers quite unlike the hard dark cassia sold as cinnamon back home it is the prize of the island so buy plenty of the real thing while you are at the source
Be a little wary of buying lots at the spice gardens the tours are interesting and educational but the prices for the spices and ayurvedic oils can be steep with a hard sell so enjoy learning about the plants then buy your actual spices more cheaply at a supermarket or shop
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