Arab spices are a story of their own, a story of the creation of cuisine, a story of global trade and immense riches, a story stretching for almost 5 thousand years. It was spices that formed the basis of trade relations between the West and the East, and 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 largest selection of these fragrant treasures at the Spice Souk spice market in Dubai.
There is probably no seasoning that cannot be found in this huge 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 types of pepper here alone - from the mildest, such as white and pink, to varieties of which a single speck can set a real fire on your taste buds.
The spice market consists of narrow streets filled with hundreds of shops. Most often this is a family business, and the lively spice traders continue the work of their grandfathers or great-grandfathers. They are ready to vividly explain to you how to use one spice or another, while, of course, trying to overcharge you quite a bit by naming a price several times higher than for locals. Do not forget that this is a true Eastern bazaar, bargaining is expected here, so do not be shy about haggling the price down.
Nevertheless, we advise you to bring plenty of money before visiting the spice market - you should definitely buy some familiar seasonings, because they are of the highest quality here and differ strikingly from what we buy in our stores. And, of course, take a few unusual spice blends that will remind you of your journey on cold winter evenings and bring real bliss to your taste buds.
