Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Food & Drink => Topic started by: andyoxon on 04 January, 2018, 12:58:58 pm

Title: Curry spices...
Post by: andyoxon on 04 January, 2018, 12:58:58 pm
Where do people tend to source larger quantities of whole or ground spices from?
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: Ham on 04 January, 2018, 01:15:20 pm
My local turkish or Indian shops, normally from SKS or the like

Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: Basil on 04 January, 2018, 03:31:37 pm
If you are in, or can visit an urban location, then just pop along to your nearest Asian Quatier.
Even the most ordinary grocer shops sell rice, spice etc in huge bags and at very reasonable prices.  I once bought a string of 12 garlic for the same price as I was paying for two at the supermarket.
I used to shop on the Soho Road in Birmingham, where as my son prefers Sparkbrook.  ( Or is it Sparkhill? I always confuse the two)
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: Jurek on 04 January, 2018, 03:39:59 pm
Where do people tend to source larger quantities of whole or ground spices from?
Can I ask whether you are catering on a large scale, AO?
The last time I looked, the word was that ground spices have a relatively short shelf life (they quickly lose their spicyness) , and buying a little and often is the perceived wisdom.
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: rafletcher on 04 January, 2018, 03:49:27 pm
Tooty Frooty ( otherwise known by us as “Hadley’s dad’s”) just off Kingsbury in Aylesbury. But only whole spices as ground loose potency fast. If  you cant get to a shop try https://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/.
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: PaulF on 04 January, 2018, 04:07:57 pm
Haven’t tried it but the place on Hythe Bridge Street looks interesting and is local to you I think?
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: andyoxon on 04 January, 2018, 05:11:13 pm
Thanks all.  Nothing too grand a scale, but possibly several litres of base curry sauce on the cards (from new book) to freeze and use.   :)
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: ian on 04 January, 2018, 06:00:25 pm
Surely the pursuit of culinary authenticity would require you to fly out to Rajasthan in advance of your kitchen escapades to harvest any spices yourself (ensure you dry them in the tropical sun, any other sun is insufficient) and get a holy man to roast them (adds to the flavour). Only then can you fly home, on the eve of your meal, clutching your spices. Once home resist the urge to grind your spices until no more than five seconds before you put them in the pan and then only grind with genuine Himalayan stones.

It still, of course, won't taste the same as they have different gravity in India.
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: andyoxon on 04 January, 2018, 06:56:42 pm
I have these occasional curry-from-'first-principle' episodes...  ;)  Quite a few years ago I made an 'authentic' Jalfrezi, and with the left over chillis attempted a green thai paste, which I managed to spray up into my unprotected face when blending - couldn't open my eyes for a few minutes....   ;D
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: mllePB on 05 January, 2018, 07:36:40 pm
My local turkish or Indian shops, normally from SKS or the like
Agree.  If there's a choice, one which also sells fresh coriander and Asian veg, is likely to have a better turnover of the dried spices due to popularity with customers of this stuff. 

Our local sells chili powder in 200g bags  :demon: 
I bought a bag intending its use as a feline deterrent in the garden, but after the friendly praised my selection of this 'better tasting' version over the much smaller but not much cheaper bag, I've been cooking with it and the cats got to carry on with their toiletries undisturbed.
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: dim on 05 January, 2018, 09:58:23 pm
Corriander seeds, Cumin seeds, fresh chilli, and fresh ginger ....

thats what my clients use as their base for curries.... (I have several clients who are from India and Pakistan and I have the most amazing curries including lamb aswell as vegetarin such as caulifflower, brinjal etc )

you can buy these in bulk from Tesco

curries are simple .... you don't need a load of spices .... but get whole spices, heat them up and grind them yourself
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: pumpkin on 31 January, 2018, 04:28:09 pm
depends on the location of your local supermarket. One Asda near us has a couple of aisles of Indian foods - pulses/oils/herbs etc and the big one off the motorway doesnt. Likewise Tesco nr my  work has a big polish section yet the one nr. my home doesnt. we just go to our local Asian supermarket where all the spices/pulses come in small/med/large and coriander/mint etc is cheap for bunches (2 large bunches £1)
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: Aunt Maud on 31 January, 2018, 05:45:32 pm
Bangalore. Whilst there, you could stay at the Savoury Business Hotel.
Title: Re: Curry spices...
Post by: Valiant on 02 February, 2018, 12:58:32 am
Most larger Asian stores will have most of it. Best to get in small batches and grind yourself.