Spices, like weddings, make people’s eyes tear and are often found in exotic locations, such as the grocery store. Spice up dinner with today's Groupon: for $8, you get $16 worth of spice blends and loose-leaf teas at The Spice & Tea Exchange of Georgetown.
The staff members at The Spice & Tea Exchange fill shelves with more than 170 fresh spices, hand-mixed spice blends, signature meat rubs, and loose-leaf teas. Stock up on basic seasonings like basil ($2.89/oz.), ground or whole allspice ($2.89/oz.), and cinnamon ($2.29/oz.), or opt for a signature blend like the Tuscany ($4.89/oz.), an expert fusion of fresh garlic, citrusy coriander, and tangy opera scores. The jamaican jerk meat rub seasons slabs of beef, chicken, or pork with sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar ($4.89/oz.). Alternately, steep loose-leaf teas including the pineapple- and strawberry-infused green tropical tea ($4.89/oz.) and the soothing chamomile citrus ($4.89/oz.), which combines the soothing scents of lemongrass, mint leaves, and freshly laundered flannel pajamas.
The Spice & Tea Exchange also assists with holiday shopping, offering crates and gift bags that can be filled with any of the store's merchandise ($34.95–$99.95), or smaller gift items.
The Spice & Tea Exchange of Georgetown
"Hi, folks. Feel free to open the jars and smell." That's how owner Keith Campbell-Rosen and his family greet guests as they enter The Spice & Tea Exchange of Georgetown. And with shelves upon shelves of glass-jarred ingredients making up the cooking apothecary's boutique space—which is actually the 17th store in a franchise of more than 35—it's too tempting to not. Each carefully lined jar cradles a batch of loose-leaf teas, seasoning spices, naturally flavored salts and sugars, cooking herbs, and even smoked powders and meat rubs. Most of their goods are imported from around the world. Keith and his team are also on hand to create custom blended bags of the spices and teas as well as guide guests through the store's more than 75 signature blends and rubs, which are hand mixed and blessed by being thrown over just about anyone's shoulder. Amid the shop's wooden shelves and crates, guests can also find a wide range of tea accessories that include stainless-steel tea steepers, contemporary salt and pepper grinders, and glass jar racks.