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Can anything be lovelier than a room filled with the wondrous aromas from the world over? When a friend suggested we stop by Spice Station, I was more than enthused about that idea, I mean, a store which sells spices? I’m SO there! The space is tucked away like a secret hideaway only revealed via a pathway, making it all the more an exciting venture. When I stepped into the store it was as if the hundreds of spices just infused into my being, causing my olfactory senses to go into overdrive. The staff were really friendly, welcoming us and encouraging us to pick up the bottles, open them up, smell what’s inside and then, taste if we so wished. For a minute there, I was mesmerized by just what was visually in front of me, the masses of different spices all brought together into one small room.

After relishing the possibilities, I started picking up the jars and opening them up, from the simplest such as cinnamon, which incidentally there were several varieties, to dried peppers of all sorts, curry powders, dry rubs and then, the very exotic — I was like a kid in a candy store touching, smelling, tasting, my eyes wide with wonder and my heart skipping a beat.

What truly blew me away were the salt varietals Spice Station has. Different flavored salts ranging from black truffle, white truffle to balsamic, lemon and lavendar — my favorite was definitely the black truffle which I knew I had to have. The other thing were the peppers, some were simple like jalapenos but then I came across something called Urfa Biber which smelled so incredible, like a cross between a pepper and a raisin. The guy gave me some to sample and I immediately fell in love with it.

So after a long time at Spice Station, I ended up with black truffle salt, Urfa Biber and some red zahtar. I’ve been using the salt in scrambled eggs, in fact, eggs of all sorts. I’ve yet to do something with the Urfa Biber and red zahtar though, but I know, it won’t be going to waste! Spice Station also has a tea room where a myriad of teas are on display for sale. For those who don’t cook, perhaps the adjoining tea room might entice you for a visit.

Spice Station, 3819 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026. Tel: 323-660-2565