Topic: What are the prefered brands of spice on here?

[json70]

I always buy laziza. They do good ready made mariniades as well Tikka Botti to name but one.

[solarsplace]

Hi

Some people will have favourites that they swear by, however brands like East End, Rahja, TRS & Natco are all of a high standard.

I personally avoid the supermarket spice rack with a vengeance though, as they are grossly overpriced and often very dull in aroma and pungency.

Cheers

Russell

[Vindaloo-crazy]

I think everyone raves about Rajah back in Blighty. You can't get it here so I make do with whatever I can find. 

[Derek Dansak]

i have tried most top brands of spices. to be honest you are better off just making your own spice mixes from scratch . i spent a year doing as many traditional indian recipes as possible. this teaches you about spices. i now use this knowledge in bir style cooking.
    A typical rahjer madras powder will contain coriander, cumin, tumeric, fennel, mustard, poppy seeds, clove, cinemon, methis or fenuggreek, maybe nutmeg. Learning how to use these powerful spices is much better than just using a tsp of ready made rahjver madras powder.
   By learning how the spices work together you can make much tastier curries. For example its essential to understand how coriander and cumin work together. some curries require a ratio of 2 parts cumin to one coriander. other recipes require a ratio of 1 part cumin and 2 parts coriander. and some require equal amounts of each. This type of knowledge is how i went from novice to spice master. my curries improved 10 fold in a 2 year period by learning this. I apply this to bir cooking each week , using base, and my own spice mixes. If you must use commercial spices then rahjver are good, but dont give the bir taste all on their own. That taste comes from much much more. 

[Stephen Lindsay]

I buy TRS because it's what the local Indian grocer sells. Perfectly happy with this brand.

[Razor]

I tend to use Rajah because that's what my main Asian Supermarket sells.  To be honest, does it really make that much of a difference.  Cumin is cumin, turmeric is turmeric?  I think the only real significant differences occur when choosing masala's such as Garam, Tandoori, Bazaar and Curry powder,  that's where the brand quality will come through.

As SP rightly points out, avoid supermarket brands like the plague, they are overpriced, under flavoured and low value for money.

I think most of the Rajah spices range from about 60p to 80p per 100g depending on what your buying.  My local ASDA was doing 2 for a pound recently, happy day's ;D

Ray

[flavorjunkie]

Not sure whether to make any comment after the unintentional upset I seem to have opened up elsewhere  , but I agree with razor.
I also use Rajah. My local ASDA also has a good supply.
My chilli powder of choice is Rajah 'Extra Hot Chilli Powder'.

[PaulP]

Hi FJ, don't worry about it - just a misunderstanding I'm sure.

Cheers,

Paul