Hasta La Ideas

The pro chef spice resource now available for home cooking

Referred to by esteemed chefs around the world as simply “The Spice Guy,” Jing Tio is the man behind many of the distinct flavors found at restaurants like El Bulli, Eleven Madison Park and WD-50. For the past half decade, the Indonesian accountant-turned-spice purveyor has quietly set a new benchmark for quality by tracking down farmers using the best harvesting methods, ultimately leading to insanely fresh and flavorful spices.

Telling CH he “probably knows more about star anise than anybody out there,” the San Francisco-based mastermind enjoys working with university professors on research around farming and harvesting. He visits new growers to check out their processes and equipment—particularly the drying and sorting machines—as a way of constantly refining his supply. Having nearly nearly reached the maximum with discovering new spices, Tio is now focused on using his extensive knowledge to create uniquely powerful blends, which he peddles to the public (along with classic ingredients) under the name See Smell Taste.

Although Tio says people are currently more interested in Southeast Asian spice blends, one he’s excited about in particular is the French-inspired Indian spice called Vadouvan. Tio’s Vadouvan Golden Mix is a potent fusion of onion, garlic, shallot and his special curry blend that works best as an accent seasoning. Thanks to shows like Top Chef, Tio says people are becoming more familiar with exotic spices and are experimenting more when cooking at home.

Tio’s tip for at-home chefs is to “have fun with it!” He encourages creativity when cooking by diverging from specific recipes, explaining “The beauty of the spice blend is you have to smell it and use your imagination for what to use it for.” If you try to hard to follow strict cooking instructions, you will never cook that dish again.

The spice blends sell online at See Smell Taste and at the Le Sanctuaire San Francisco shop in Mini, Midi and Maxi sizes at varying prices, along with single spices which you can order in bulk. You can also find them at Dean & Deluca in NYC and online at Gilt Taste.

Dynasty and Ceremony

Blooming as they steep, we love the teas from NYC-based Dynasty and Ceremony for their simple, floral flavor and equally effortless packaging. The brand’s reinterpretation of ancient Chinese ingredients, results in flavors such as Emperor’s Kiss and Divinity Rule for a healthy combination of medicinal herbs and delectable spices. The teas sell from their online shop starting at $10.

Teatulia

Teatulia cultivates their range of full-flavored, whole-leaf teas on virgin Bangladeshi soil using Masanobu Fukuoka‘s natural farming method. Socially and environmentally responsible, Teatulia cooperative sustains the local community and ecosystem by providing natives with a living wage and education while protecting and strengthening the environment.

Housed in biodegradable silken tea bags, packaged in compostable canisters, and labeled with post-consumer paper, the additive-free Teatulia teas sell online for around $10 a canister.

Te Teas

Loose whole leaf tea in a biodegradable pyramid sachet, Te Teas make an ideal choice for environmentally-conscious tea drinkers. Without metal staples or other taste-altering components, the bags contain flavors such as Peppermint Chamomile Jazz, Organic South Pacific Green or Black Velvet Chai. Sold online, a box of 12 earth-friendly sachets runs $7.

Coffees of Hawaii Tisanes

Already known for their full-bodied coffee beans, Hawaii may soon be equally known for their tea. Coffees of Hawaii offers a range of tisanes made from the fruit of the coffee bean. Pulped from both two types of coffee, the blend makes for a beverage low in caffeine and high in antioxidants. The Moloka’i-style loose leaf teas come in flavors like Papaya Leaf Vanilla, Lavender or Mamaki Ginger and sell online for around $7.

The Republic of Tea

A popular purveyor, The Republic of Tea recently added a new range of superflower teas to their line of enticing flavors. While we weren’t that taken with the Hibiscus Pineapple Lychee, the other four hibiscus flavors—including Natural, Blueberry, Vanilla Apple and Key Lime—taste as palatable as they sound, offering bursts of flowery citrus flavors that are great chilled over ice. Just in time for the warmer months, pick up the hibiscus range online for around $10 a canister.

Cultivated in an island biosphere reserve off the Korean coast, The Salt, a natural solar sea salt, is the upshot of a UNESCO-protected area laden with ample tidal flats. With climate as one of the most important factors in sea salt production, the sun- and wind-washed flats make an ideal reservoir for seawater to evaporate.

Richer in magnesium, potassium and calcium thanks to its unique geographic location (like all sea salts), The Salt makes a healthier alternative to industrial (table) salt, naturally aiding digestion and nerve function. The brand also distinguishes itself from other producers by bagging and wrapping the salt immediately after gathering to cut down on chances for contamination.

As a result, the product’s purity shows in both its intense flavor that still offers hints of the ocean, and in its distinct crystalline structure.

Traditionally used in kimchee, The Salt also works perfectly as a rub or in soups. It sells at Korean markets around the U.S. and worldwide, as well as online starting at about $5 for a bottle.