My local ASDA at cribbs is now stocking allsorts of stuff you would usually only find in an Asian grocer - fresh curry leaves, loose bunches of coriander (with roots!), rajah spices and nishan ginger/garlic paste.

Even my local tesco now stocks scotch bonnet and proper thin green chillies, do you think supermarkets are getting better in general at stocking this kind of stuff?

My local Tesco has stocked 'ethnic foods' for a long time but I think it's regional and depends on local demand. They have just started to stock big boxes of methi and boxes of coconut powder like the restaurants use. They're definitely getting better, but annoyingly they only stock butter ghee and not veg ghee? :-[

Down here in Cornwall its very hard to get hold of even basic ingredients
Luckily i can shop online for my spices etc although my local Tesco has been stocking Scotch Bonnets for many years now. ;D

I'm up here in newcastle and can obtain a vast selection, if your stuck
I would consider helping out and posting some of the more
hard to obtain items. Black cardamoms a large pack
costs about ?2.00 and i waste most as i only use a few
(they smell of coffee after a month so) what about a
few people getting together and breaking up into smaller packs.

let me know if you interested.

you could start a new thread.....

graeme