Spice Terminal

I learned to cook by closely following recipes in cookbooks and newspapers. I chose what I cooked by what seemed most interesting. As they got more interesting, I inevitably came across a spice or an ingredient that I couldn’t find in the regional MegaConsolidatedOmnimart.
Here’s where the Spice Terminal comes in.
There is literally nothing I have looked for here that I haven’t found. While most everything is prepackaged and arranged, they have carried the random European, Indian, African, Chinese and Japanese spices, cookware and items I went looking for. Hell, they probably even have eye of newt somewhere in the back.

You’ve got to be kidding me. How on earth does this place have such good reviews? I had high expectations of this little spice shop located in the Reading Terminal Market since other such markets across the country seem to have amazing places similar to it (such as Market Spice in Pike’s Public Market in Seattle). However, their small selection of spices (although practical) failed to impress me, as they were all pre-​bagged (cheap at 2.75/bag) and already pre-​ground. When going to a spice market, I enjoy being able to see the whole product as well as know when the spices are ground as to ensure freshness. In fact, even the small local shop in Los Angeles, Spice Station, does an amazing job with this. However, Spice Terminal fails both in products/​display, service (no one talked to me the whole 10 minutes I was there), and don’t even get me started on those sad looking cans of old orange segments that were dusty on the shelves… would be better with an upgrade.

they have tons of spices so if you’re lookin’ for it, they’ll have it. even mixes like «chicken spice» or «jerk spice», even «curry spice», are readily available. i haven’t tried their coffee beans but they have a large variety.

A great, great find. They have an impressive variety of dried herbs and spices which are really cheap! And come in cute little baggies! This may not be the ideal way to store spices but something about it is so quaint and un-​manufactured… I kind of feel like a witch doing her pre-​brew grocery shopping at the neighborhood apothecary — only witches probably pick up things like frog legs and eyeballs, not turmeric and coriander…
It’s places like this that make me know I’ll miss Philly when I have to leave!

if you have taste buds you need to go here. Period. just do it. thank me later.
they have EVERYTHING. i get all my basics to my favorite pink peppercorns here. they even have wasabi powder!!! how can it get better? oh its in the center of reading terminal. …so when your done getting side tracked, come here. shop…drool…rember ME (JB!!!)…

I won’t go into gushing detail – suffice it to say I just ran out of my favorite Spice Terminal tea AND chicken rub AND I will be Bolt-​busing it to Philly this weekend to pick up more.
I just got into tea-​drinking. I was a tea virgin. My first was from Spice Terminal. Absolutely fan-f&$%ing-tastic.
Great shop. Worth a trip from any distance.
Seriously.

I almost can’t describe how much I love this place.
When you walk in, the smell of coffee hits you. Not already brewed, sitting around for a while coffee. No, barrels of fresh whole beans just begging to be sniffed. The coffee’s on the pricey side, but that first wave of delicious smell just sets the tone the second you walk in.
This place has an amazing spice selection at great prices. You can find some spices here that you either can’t find anywhere else or would pay an arm and a leg for. I brought a chef here and he was almost reduced to tears by finding high-​quality paprika and smoked sea salt.
I’d avoid the oils and condiments, though, unless you take such things very very seriously. I know just enough about olive oil to know that their selection is amazing, but enough about common sense to not spend $ 50 on a bottle of it. One of my greatest fears at Spice Terminal is accidentally knocking over a bottle of oil that costs as much as my phone bill.

Exotic and fun! The prices are fantastic for bulk spices (and terrible for shelved goods, such as mustards and oils). They never fail in stocking hard-​to-​track-​down spices and teas.
One time I needed a small serving of shredded coconut for a recipe, and they gave it to me for free because it was probably around ¹⁄₁₆^th of a lb. Good business practice, as I have become a loyal customer ever since.
P. S. They sell nuts by the ¼ lb.

I was literally giddy the first time I went into Spice Terminal. The prices are knock-​you-​over cheap. A bag filled with a fist sized amount of tarragon: $ 2.25, fennel: $ 1.95, you get the idea. They have every spice imaginable. Note: The spices come in little baggies, so you will need your own containers to fill.
Already elated, carrying around 20 bags of different spices, I finally looked around the rest of the place to find oils, vinegars, extracts, coffee beans, and hot sauces. This was almost too much to handle.
I have been back multiple times to pick up random spices I find I don’t have. (I have yet to go back for a refill though, There wasn’t even enough room in my jars to fit the entire bag)
I can’t wait to find my next excuse to look through their extensive spice collection

Colors of the world
Spice up your life!
Every boy and every girl
Spice up your life!
People of the world
Spice up your life!
Ahhhhh…the Spice Girls chose their name well. Spices are what makes a meal, but particularly fresh spices which is what you’ll find here at the Spice Terminal! Located in Reading Terminal Market, this small stall is packed not only with a large variety of spices, whole and ground, but also tons of specialty baking and cooking items. They have gourmet olive oils and vinegars, tons of different extracts, and coffee and tea galore! Of course the main draw are the spices, and despite their size they have a considerable selection. You can either grab some prepackaged spices or bag your own — there’s a little scale that allows you to measure out the correct amount. They also have several different nut meals which is AWESOME because I’m constantly looking for almond, hazelnut, and other meals for baking.
The main con is the fact that its so freaking small, which makes it impossible to stand in the aisle and NOT be in someone’s way. It is in Reading Terminal so that’s expected, as well as the crowds of people everywhere. I’m always surrounded by tourists who are «just looking» at the many wares while I’m trying to scoop out more ground cumin (can’t get enough of it!). And of course my epic quest for a large bottle of red food coloring continues (WHY DOESN’T ANYONE STOCK IT?! I can find green, and who uses THAT?!!) since it happened to be the one color they didn’t have, but if you can’t find something just ask the staff who are more than happy to help to find it.

The Reading Terminal Market is full of ethnic foods from around the world and the Spice Terminal has just about every spice from all over the globe.
My daughter and my daughter in law do not have my enthusiasm for cooking, but they both love to bake and my daughter in law does it professionally. This works fine for me, because I do not have the patience for baking.
My son and son in law, both love to cook and the Spice Terminal, inside the Reading Terminal Market, has something for all of us.
I prefer using fresh garlic, but the boys found many variations of garlic in jars. If you are into hot sauce, you will find a wide variety here.
So much more than a spice shop, they carry packaged gourmet food, coffee, tea, sauces, olive oils, mustard’s, condiments, jams, nuts and seasoned oils and vinegar’s. Looking for dried violets to cook or bake with, they have it.
You will not walk out of this nice sized shop without dropping some cash, but chances are, you will find what you have been searching for.

Better (selection-​wise) than Spice Corner in the Italian Market but still not as good as Penzey’s. The prices are not that great — but they do have a good selection.

If you like to cook, then you have to go to the Spice Terminal inside the Reading Terminal Market. All the herbs and spices necessary to create a great meal is available here. If you can’t find what you need, ask for Joe and he will gladly find it for you. Joe keeps a wide variety of sauces and mustard’s, jams, coffees, and a legendary collection of fiery hot sauces. I dare you to try the Dave’s Insanity Sauce!!!

This is a pretty extensive spice shop, with some seasonal goodies! For example in the fall and winter they offer candy extracts to make home made hard candies. In the spring and summer they offer exotic spices. All around best place to procure hard to find spices, extracts, medlies, and dried ingredients at a very reasonable price. Make sure you get your bags of spices labeled, or make sure you know what the spices you’ve picked up smell like…

If you need a special spice, this should be your first stop. They carry lots of herbs, extracts, and other flavor enhancers.
Unfortunately, they don’t carry root beer extract, darn.
But do yourself a favor and grab a bag of smoked paprika.