Emporio delle Spezie Spice Shop in Rome

Rome is a fabulous place to be if you want to eat Roman food. Really, we have the best. But finding the ingredients needed to whip up a non-Italian meal can be a little bit trickier. Even if you plan to cook Roman food down to the bones, you will still need to season it. That’s where Emporio delle Spezie comes in.

This spice emporium is itty bitty but it is literally packed to the rafters with the best spices and flavors from all over the world. You can find salt from Hawaii or pepper from Indonesia, but perhaps what you really need is almond meal from Sicily.

Whether it is from closer to home or the other side of the globe, Emporio delle Spezie has the highest quality version available

There are dried sundries and ground spices, all of which are carefully measured out. You don’t need to buy a huge amount – perhaps an etto (100 g) is all you need to keep you happily baking for the rest of the year.

In addition to cinnamon sticks and peppercorns, you can also find little delicacies and treats. Last time I stopped by, I picked up strawberry and basil jam to hold onto one last taste of summer. You can also find maple syrup (not as common as you might think in Roma). There are hot sauces and all kinds of little surprises.

In addition to a few unique coffee blends, this spice shop also has some beautiful tea blends and a helpful owner who will guide you towards little gems based on your taste preferences.

I would say “come in and wander around,” but there is nowhere to wander. Emporio delle Spezie really is just one very small room. But come in and turn around. There is something new to try each time you pop in – which is why it is one of my favorite places to shop for international ingredients in Rome.