Oaktown Spice Shop — Attraction in Albany

This shop and it’s sister shop in downtown Oakland are wonderful. You walk in and it smells like you would imagine an old fashioned spice shop to smell like. The hint of herbs, a little heat, undertones of salt. And then you walk to the spice side and it smells warm and earthy. They have all the spices plus more. Multiple sizes as well. Their blends are delicious and flavorful. All of their jars and bags list the ingredients and recommendations for use. If you need some red pepper flakes in your life - get them here. They are better than any red pepper flakes you’ve had in the past. Fresh, full of heat, get rehydrated when in liquid. If you want a little more heat in your food - ghost pepper powder and ghost pepper salt. A little goes a long way. And don’t breath in when you first open the ghost pepper bag,...

I have enormously appreciated the cuisine upgrade these spices deliver my home. The blends are widely expensive for a spice, but I can tell you that it's worth it if you are a foodie.

What brings me to this review today is that last night I tried The wildflower dream tea, I can attest that I had very vivid and crazy dreams. In a good way.

I am somewhat saddened that they only carry aged pu-erh that is probably the standard 10 years old (as it is not stated). For how artisanal the shop is I fully expected them to have 40-year aged black tea. I know we're getting into some petty foodie remarks in terms of how many decades the black tea was aged, but for those of us who care: I'm...

Wonderful selection of spices beautifully organized on shelves lining the walls throughout this bright, spacious shop. The gracious knowledgeable staff provides excellent service delivered with enthusiasm and valuable advice. I went in there looking for one specific ingredient and left with several others as well, filled with inspiration to make more recipes as well as the first one intended. In a very short time I had gained a new project and three mentors encouraging my kitchen craft and making me promise to report back with my results. Expand your culinary resources and aquire a booster squad...