Penzeys Spices

This place is great! I’m actually a little ashamed it took me 4 years to get in here. They have such a wonderful selection of spices, anything you may need! The prices are not bad, not cheap by any means, but definitely reasonable. I’d recommend a stop in, even if it is just to browse and sniff!

I absolutely LOVE Penzeys. I have visited Penzeys locations in Mpls and Lakeville as well as Chicago. I kind of have a crush on Penzeys. For one I do not like to shop. Most guys I know are the same way. When I go to the grocery store, I have my list and I am in and out as quick as possible. When it comes to shopping at Penzeys, this is not the case. Even if I am just going to pick up a couple of spices to replenish my collection or to pick up a free spice from one of their coupons that I received. I end up going row by row and looking at all the spices and recipe cards that are posted throughout the store. Penzeys spices are by far the freshest that I have ever found. They have all sorts of spices from all over the world. Several different types of chili powders and my personal favorite cinnamons. Their cinnamons are amazing. Do you like snickerdoodles, try making them with Vietnamese or Kornjite cinnamon. They also carry different blends like Arizona Dreaming, Northwoods Spice, Corned Beef, and Taco. They have all sorts of vanilla and even vanilla beans. You name it, they probably have it. I love to make Zhartar bread. I was very excited to see that they carry Zhartar seasoning which is a Lebanese spice. They have different options based on your needs. You may buy a small jar to sample or you may get a larger jar. If you in that crazy stage like me, you just buy the bag and refill your jars at home. If you go to Penzeys be sure to sign up for their catalog. You’ll receive updates on new seasonings, recipes and occasional a coupon for a free spice. Now that’s exciting! I always look forward to going to Penzeys. Funny but true story about my wife. When we first met she really didn’t do a lot of cooking. Since we discovered Penzeys now she really is interested in cooking and trying different spices. If you enjoy cooking at all or even just like adding some flavor to your foods, check out Penzeys.

The fact that many of the spices are fresher, last longer, and taste more true than the grocery store stuff would be enough. That they are often less expensive by the oz. makes it worth my very short trip. If you live farther away make the trip for the smell. My spice cabinet looks like a mini Penzey’s I use them Evey day. The coupons introducing new blends can be great. Now they will be sending them by email. I am so happy about the toasted garlic. I have been making it myself. It is labor intensive and expensive. This is a diy I am happy to give up. I love that you can smell everything. It is really helpful when trying to understand the difference between the herbs that come form different countries, or different types of peppers. The staff is always friendly, and helpful they can even suggest recipe ideas. I have asked.

I got hooked on this place after a dear friend gave me a wonderful boxed set of Penzey’s spices as a birthday gift. Sometimes, you just don’t know what you’ve been missing until someone does something like this for you. I wouldn’t describe myself as particularly passionate or innovative when it comes to my cooking — most of my dishes are pretty simple, but quality spices and herbs — they really do make a difference. I LOVE hot food, and at this point, own pretty much every variety of chili powder they sell, as well as some curries, and a selection of the classics.
Penzey’s is easy to shop — most of the the basic spices are simply arranged in alphabetical order in shelves along the walls, while large displays in the center of the store present selections of similar spices — chili powders, salts, and peppers, for example. Penzey’s also sells a great variety of specialty blends such as taco seasonings, meat rubs, and so forth.
I doubt there is anything in the way of herbs or spices you could want that Penzey’s doesn’t carry. Lots of friendly help is available if you need advice, or assistance in finding something.

My parents and I have been using Penzey’s spices for years (and years and years). Quality is phenomenal. You pay a premium for these spices, but they generally last you for months, they have every spice you could ever possibly need, and how can you not love walking into the store and inhaling all the goodness? My only gripe is their hours– They close every day by 5 or 5:30 and on Sundays they don’t open until 11:00. I wish they were open just a little later at night so I can stop after work if need be!

This place is amazing.
You need a spice, they probably have it. They even have some types of seasoning’s where they will have multiple types of the item. Think peppers, salts, curry’s, and cinnamon, and more.
Not sure if that is the spice you want? Stick that snout of yours in the sniffer sample that they usually offer.
My favorite though is the prepackaged spices. Going to a wedding but want to give something else besides what is on the list? Come here. Nothing better then getting a slew of new spices to try in various dishes.
Granted, you should find out if they like to cook or not.

I heart Penzeys. They have a wonderful selection and a variety to choose from ranging from California sweet basil to pumpkin pie spice. The quality is really great. They also have really great coupons that come out when you receive their catalog in the mail.

This is a great place to go to find unique spices as well as your traditional ones. Since I have been introduced to this place it is where I have been purchasing all of my baking and cooking spices. Some of my favorites include: any of their cinnamons, garam masala, sweet curry powder, mural of flavor, mace, and their vegetable soup base. I have returned on many occasions to get these items. The store itself has a wide selection and the gift sets they have are fantastic! I would definitely recommend checking it out if you are an avid baker or cook.

I adore Penzey’s. I buy spices almost nowhere else. I love that I can smell each spice before I choose one. They have samples in glass jars so you can decide if you prefer your paprika of the Hungarian sharp variety, Californian sweet or smoked Spanish. I LOVE the smoked Spanish paprika. So delicious. Even if I go in to buy one specific spice, I spend a good 30 min walking around smelling spices I have never used and end up throwing a few in my basket and skip home to experiment and try my new flavors.
It’s not just the fun shopping experience of course, but the quality is MILES better than anything you will pick up at the grocery store. The colors, taste and fragrances are so fresh and wonderful!

We stop by every time we’re in St. Paul. Great, fresh spices and herbs; our spice cabinet is filled with almost nothing but Penzeys spices. This particular location is a favorite because parking is usually easy to find, it does seem a bit bigger and roomier than the one in Minneapolis.

I’m lucky to have Penzey’s in Milwaukee and this St. Paul location has the same great standards and products. The store is cute and easy to navigate. I love this place for gifts for hard-​to-​buy-​for people. Everyone can find something they like here. The staff are friendly and helpful, too.

I thought this was just a little St. Paul treasure and boy was I shocked to find out they are somewhat of a chain spice store. Growing up on the east coast in a small rural town I never saw an entire store dedicated to spices. My mom just purchased nothing but McCormicks in the red and white tins from the grocery store. The didn’t even have Spice Hunter back then… Well what fun is it to find you good old standbys here but you can actually get some special blends depending on your personal flavor choices. They don’t just have plain old Vanilla… they have several types of Vanilla and the prices are better than the grocery store and you can buy as little as you need. I actually purchased some lovely wooden bowls from my favorite TJ MAXX and went into Penzey’s and purchased several different spices to put in there and made a cute little gift for my sisters for the holidays. One is a baker and one is more of a griller… These were very well received.

Hate to be a Debbie Downer here, but I was looking for a few spices specifically named in a recipe. I knew that the grocery stores wouldn’t have them so I headed up to Penzeys.
Parking as relatively easy, so I thought that was going to be a great sign of a successful trip. (I hate searching out a parking spot to go spend money)
While they had a wonderful selection of spices, they only had 1 of the 3 specific ones I was looking for. We did flag down an employee who pointed us towards some products that she thought would be similar to the ones we were looking for.
Their pie spice mix is divine and smells so much better the the grocery store stuff.
PS — Note to self, there are so many things to smell, make sure that you end with the smell of something sweet… just like dessert :)

The spices they sell here are delicious and amazingly high quality. My kitchen is stocked to the gills with them – everything from ceylon cinnamon and cracked ginger to balti seasoning and smoked paprika — and all of them greatly enhance whatever you’re cooking.
Even if you’re a casual cook that usually buys the usual spices from the grocery store… do yourself a favor and stop by this place. Even the basics like seasoned salt and different types of pepper are worlds above grocery store quality. Your food and your stomachs will thank you.

My wife and I go here about 3 times a year to pick up their sandwich sprinkle spice. It is so good. It adds just the perfect touch to any sandwich you have.
The place smells like heaven when you walk in and the staff is always fantastic.
We always end up getting a bunch of other cool stuff while we are here. Cajun, fish and chicken seasoning, greek. This place is just the best.
Whenever I leave this plce, I tell my wife «I love this place!»

Penzeys is pretty much where you want to go for spices.
I don’t even cook. But I walk into Penzeys and I feel… well, a little high from the smell of nutmeg and ginger and fennel and such (seriously, just walk in and inhale for a little bit)…but inspired. I feel inspired.
You can find all sorts of no-​brainer spice mixes at Penzeys – such as dip spice (add 2 tsp to sour cream for amazing chip dip… yay!) and pasta spices and ham rubs and such. You can also find unique things like celery salt and whole vanilla bean and cardamom (in many forms… dried seeds, pods, fresh, green… for all your Swedish cookie and glögg making needs!). They have open «sample» jars where you can smell everything – which is nice.
Also, I like to play a game called hold-​up-​a-​jar-​and-​ask-​them-​what-​the-​heck-​I-​would-​do-​with-​that-​spice with the people working there (who are, ALWAYS, super-​helpful and nice even though they’re probably just humoring me). Or I could just read the jars (all of which have suggestions for usage) or the catalog. But my game is more fun. It’s like a pop quiz.

I have been a Penzey’s customer for years now — both purchasing spices (and herbs) for myself and friends. They make thoughtful gifts and are inexpensive enough to use every day.
We love the Sunny Paris blend, Penzey’s Cinnamon, Vanilla Extract, and the BEST source for peppercorns (green, black, white and pink — which are technically not peppercorns) anywhere.
The Shallots and chives are fresh-​freeze-​dried and fragrant.
The chilis are kickin’.
The Sunny Spain enlivens my chicken.
Penzey’s — we love you!
Thanks, Bill!

This review comes too late for Christmas shopping, but do a search next year when you’re thinking of gift ideas and COME HERE. The gift sets are perrrrrfect for that foodie friend of yours and affordable for the amazing quality. Of course, I can’t resist re-​stocking my spice drawer when I swing through as well.
I was sold on this place ever since I saw an America’s Test Kitchen episode in which the host did a blind taste test of cinnamon and picked Penzeys (while ranking McCormick’s last — bleah). Trust me, there is a difference… this is high-​quality stuff. From the bay leaves to the vanilla to the aforementioned cinnamon… it’s all so, so good.

«My mom makes the best gluten-​free brownies in the world – you can be sure of that!»
«Are you sure this is gluten and dairy free?»
«My wife cooks better gluten free and dairy free than most others cook without food restrictions!»
«Cake Boss, Schmake Boss.»
Psst…you wanna know my secret? It’s Penzey’s.
The freshest herbs and spices, the tastiest blends, and, most importantly, the highest-​quality cocoa and vanilla – they got it going on!
Yeah, it’s a wee bit pricier than that ancient dried up stuff at the grocery store, but my gluten & casein (dairy)-free daughter eats the best brownies in the whole world.
Cake Boss Schmake Boss.

I first learned about Penzey’s last December when I got a gift box of spices and I was hooked! This national chain offers unique and affordable spices, and if you get the catalog you’ll get coupons for free spices, and super reader-​submitted recipes (which means they’re easy); all the recipes I’ve tried have immediately become household staples.
So I headed down to Grand Ave. with my coupon for free Pasta Sprinkle and left with oregano and chili powder as well. This specialty store is incredibly exciting, due to all the possibilities. Each spice has a «sample jar» where you can sniff (and maybe taste.. . if nobody is looking) your spice of choice. I could have wandered the spiced lanes for hours if not for a three-​year-​old demanding a potty and threatening to knock over the displays.