The Spice Diva

I had been looking for an excuse to stop in The Spice Diva for a while. I found myself needed the spices to make gluhwein around Christmas time and had other errands to run in the area, so I ran in. I love supporting the many local businesses in Charlottesville, but usually they’re very charming and have a friendly small town feel. When I popped in the man working there was outside. He wasn’t particularly friendly nor welcoming. I needed star anise, and they were all broken, which didn’t really suit my purposes, but I didn’t want to make a second trip elsewhere. They were offered at a discounted price though because they were in pieces. I found that the other spices I bought were over-​priced, and I probably wouldn’t go back unless there was something special I needed and could only find there.

Intimate Spice Shop! Cute! Cozy! OK it’s Small! I LOVE Charming places with SMART Owners who have the Wisdom to be Efficient!
Am I always looking for a different Moroccan Spice Blend? YES!!! Almost Everyone (assumption of those reading my reviews) has been to a Restaurant or someones home where EVERY Dish tasted alike (in a Boring way)!
Why am I searching for a Variety of Moroccan Spice Blends? Cooking at Home we wanted to make two or three different Moroccan Curries (they were Gateway Curries for my Parents) Each Dish Should be and Can be Different! They were!!!
We also got some Spices for Hot Chocolate

This store is a true gem in Charlottesville. It’s worth it to get your spices and teas here rather than at the grocery store — they are fresher and just… better. I adore Phyllis and want to be like her when I grow up. Bring your own jar for a little extra off.

The staff at Spice Diva is knowledgeable and helpful. The selection is quite good for a shop its size and prices are not bad. Because the shop is small and generally staffed by only one person, sometimes just popping in quickly is not an option. If there are helping someone else who needs a few items, you can be in there awhile before being helped.

Spice and loose leaf tea selection is good but I wasn’t impressed with the salesmanship of the Spice Diva herself. We bought 2 different spices and neither time were we asked how much we would like… she must magically know. I had to tell her to stop on mine. Then on my wife’s order she loaded up $ 6 worth (quarter baggie) when she specifically requested «just a tiny bit». She then quickly transported everything to the counter and rang it up before we had time to assess her mischievousness.
Check it out, but keep an eye on her. Sales must be slow if she’s doing stuff like that.
It’s in the Main Street Market area. The spice selection’s not to shabby if you’re looking to get outside the standard grocery aisle offerings. I got an African Curry and had to choose between about 6 other curry powders. My wife got some bee pollen nodules to try in smoothies ($ 6 worth!). Where does that stuff come from?