20 Ingredients Worth Buying from Specialty Stores
Discover unique ingredients that elevate your cooking, usually found in specialty stores.
- Daisy Montero
- 5 min read
Specialty stores are bound to give you hard-to-find ingredients that can transform your dishes. From smoky spices that whisk you away to distant lands to grains you never knew existed, these ingredients are your go-to finds from specialty stores. Once you try them, you’ll never look at your kitchen the same way again.
1. Smoked Paprika
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Smoked paprika, due to its unique drying and smoking process, adds a rich, smoky flavor to your dish. It’s used to season meats, vegetables, and soups, which brings depth and complexity to your recipes. This is common in Spanish and Hungarian cuisines.
2. Japanese Kabocha Squash
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Kabocha squash, a Japanese pumpkin, has a sweet, nutty flavor and a creamy texture when cooked. It’s incredibly versatile, perfect for soups, curries, or roasted to bring out its natural sweetness. Its rich taste makes it an excellent substitute for other squashes or pumpkins in many dishes.
3 Za’atar Spice Blend
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Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend of thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac. It adds earthy and tangy flavors to breads, vegetables, and meats.
4. Caviar
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Caviar is the delicate salted eggs of sturgeon, adding luxury and savory richness to any dish. It’s often served as a garnish for hors d’oeuvres, on blinis, or paired with crackers for an elegant appetizer. The salty flavor makes your food unique for special occasions.
5. Fresh Yuzu Fruit
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Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit known for its tart, fragrant taste and aroma. It’s commonly used in dressings, marinades, or zest to brighten up dishes like sushi, seafood, or desserts. Yuzu adds a refreshing kick to any recipe.
6. Single-Origin Dark Chocolate
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Single-origin chocolate is made from cacao beans sourced from a specific region. Its distinct flavors reflect the local soil and climate. It’s perfect for gourmet desserts or as a thoughtful gift for dark chocolate lovers.
7. Maitake Mushrooms
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Maitake mushrooms, also called “hen of the woods,” have an earthy, umami-rich flavor and a meaty texture. They add dimension to soups and stir-fries or are used as a side dish. Their unique texture makes them an excellent meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan dishes.
8. Fresh Lobster
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Fresh lobster is an expensive yet flavorful ingredient often found in specialty stores. For decadent meals, it’s commonly used in lobster rolls, creamy bisque, or grilled seafood platters. The tender, sweet meat adds another explosion level to your mouth on special occasions.
9. Saffron
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Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and it is priced for its unique flavor and bright color. Just a tiny amount can transform dishes like paella, risotto, and soups with a touch of natural aroma.
10. Macadamia Nuts
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Macadamia nuts are rich, buttery, and slightly sweet. They are mainly used for baking, especially in cookies and cakes. Their creamy texture also works as a crunchy snack or in dishes like salads and stir-fries.
11. Cold-Pressed Olive Oil
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Cold-pressed olive oil is a premium oil that retains its full flavor and nutritional benefits using a traditional extraction method. It’s perfect for drizzling over salads, roasting vegetables, or dipping fresh bread. It also helps enhance marinades, dressings, and even pasta dishes.
12. Dried Lavender
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Dried lavender brings a fragrant, floral note to sweet and savory dishes. It’s commonly used in baked goods, syrups, and infusions or as a seasoning for savory dishes like lamb.
13. Aged Manchego Cheese
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Aged Manchego, a Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk, has a rich, nutty, savory flavor that deepens with age. It’s usually used in cheese boards, with fruits, nuts, and wine, or enjoyed independently.
14. Matcha Powder
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Matcha is a green tea powder with a smooth, slightly bitter taste but packed with antioxidants. It’s perfect for lattes, smoothies, or desserts like matcha ice cream and cakes. Its bright color and distinct taste make it a favorite in sweet and savory dishes.
15. Purple Carrots
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Purple carrots bring a pop of color and a subtly sweet flavor to your dishes. Whether roasted, added to salads or incorporated into soups and stews, they offer a unique twist on the classic orange variety. The purple color adds visual appeal to your meals.
16. Dried Chipotle Peppers
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Chipotle peppers are smoked and dried jalapeños with a deep, smoky flavor and mild to medium heat. Their smoky heat adds complexity to salsas, stews, marinades, sauces, and soups, and their smoky flavor brings a unique flavor to any dish.
17. Handmade Pasta
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Handmade pasta from specialty stores has a superior texture and richer flavor than mass-produced varieties. It’s ideal for making classic Italian dishes like ravioli, pappardelle, or tagliatelle, where the pasta’s quality enhances the meal.
18. Avocado Oil
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Avocado oil is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants, giving a mild buttery flavor. Its high smoke point makes it ideal for high-heat cooking, while its smooth taste is best for salad dressings or drizzling over roasted vegetables.
19. Edible Flowers
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Edible flowers, such as nasturtiums and violets, bring vibrant colors and delicate flavors to your dishes. These flowers usually brighten up salads, cakes, and cocktails. They elevate the visual appeal and introduce a unique and natural taste to your meals.
20. Fresh Coconut
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Fresh coconut is an ingredient that adds flavor and texture to savory and sweet dishes. The flesh can be used in smoothies, desserts, or curries, while the milk is perfect for drinks and cooking. Its natural richness adds another level of touch to every recipe.