Cool Cape May 2021-22

[239] shopping
Spice Cellar Of Cape May
It’s a treat for at least three of your senses. See beautifully packaged products, smell the amazing aromas... and taste the end result!
WHERE IS IT? Beneath the Merry Widow Inn on
Carpenter’s Lane.
WHY SHOULD I GO? Before last year, if you
wanted to visit a spice shop, you needed to cross the
Delaware Bay or travel two hours to Red Bank, New
Jersey. That changed when Spice Cellar of Cape May
— brought to you by the artisanally minded people
behind Cape May Peanut Butter Company, Cape May
Olive Oil Company and Wingnutz Nut Haus (Cape
May Airport) — opened its doors. With 150 spices and
other items to choose from, this is the ideal way to
spice up a vacation (you know we had to do it).
So why wouldn’t you just hit up the grocery store?
For starters, there’s a big difference in freshness. “Our
spices don’t get ground until we order them,” says
general manager Marcus Vause, a professional chef of
15 years who’s helped curate the store’s flavor profiles.
“Nothing sits around.” Consider the turmeric — it’s a
beautiful golden color, not the dingy mustard shade
you’re likely to find when the spice has gone stale. And
you’ll be hard-pressed to find paprika this vibrant red.
There’s also a more exciting selection at the spice
cellar than at your typical food market. You’ll see
cinnamon, sure, but Vietnamese cinnamon, too. (It’s
richer, sweeter, and because of a higher oil content, it
disperses more fully through your baked goods.)
Overwhelmed by choice? The staff are eager to
help you navigate the Spice Cellar shelves, provide
tastings of all the products, and offer guidance on how
to use them.
INSIDER TIP Keep your eyes peeled for events at the
Spice Cellar and neighboring Olive Oil Company —
professional chefs frequently do demonstrations here
using only products in the store.
HIGHLIGHTS
Blends
Spice and herb mixes
named for beaches and
landmarks in Cape May
make for popular gifts
and souvenirs. Lighthouse
Ranch is a must-have.
The Gull blend is a great
seasoning for poultry.
Higbee Beach is infused
with coffee, which makes it
a tasty rub for beef.
Chili
Forget the tin can and
adobo sauce. These
peppers — Kashmiri,
Guajillo and smoked
jalapenos — come whole
and dried.
Flavored Honey
Once you try them, you’ll
never want to go back to
the sweet stuff that comes
in a plastic bear container.
Soup Mixes
Another line of artisanal
products created by their
in-house chefs. Think
Indian Mulligatawany to
Wild Rice & Mushroom.
Both made with spices
from the store.
Flavored Sugars and Salts
Spiceaholics will love the
ghost pepper-infused salt.
Chewing Gum
A must-have from this allnatural
line? The fennel.
324 CARPENTER’S LANE l CAPE MAY l 609-898-4441 l spicecellar.net