Arab spices are a story in themselves, a story of the birth of cuisine, a story of global trade and immense riches, a story spanning almost 5 thousand years. Spices were precisely the foundation of trade relations between the West and the East, and back then they were valued at their weight in gold, often literally rather than figuratively.
To this day, spices and seasonings are called the "Gold of the East," and you will find the widest selection of these fragrant treasures at the Spice Souk in Dubai.
There is probably no seasoning that cannot be found in this enormous market: from the simplest and most inexpensive spices and herbs to unique and valuable seasonings such as saffron, orchid root, or black lemon. There are dozens of kinds of pepper here alone - from the mildest, such as white and pink, to varieties of which a single speck can set your taste buds ablaze.
The spice market consists of narrow lanes filled with hundreds of little shops. Most often, these are family businesses, and the lively spice merchants are continuing the work of their grandfathers or great-grandfathers. They will enthusiastically tell you how to use one spice or another, while, of course, trying to fleece you by naming a price several times higher than for locals. Do not forget that this is a real Eastern bazaar, where bargaining is expected, so do not be shy about haggling the price down.
Nevertheless, we advise you to bring plenty of money before heading to the spice market - you should definitely buy familiar seasonings, because here they are of the highest quality and strikingly different from what we buy in our stores. And, of course, pick up a few unusual spice blends that will remind you of your journey on cold winter evenings and bring true culinary bliss.
