Hi Vegan Travelers!
Well…Today’s topic is purely vegan! The only time you have to worry about consuming a spice is if you are drinking Chai tea and the spicy beverage contains milk. Herbs and spices are 100% natural and vegan! Several countries around the globe are known for their bazaars, souks, or markets where they sell their aromatic herbs and spices.

When I visited Egypt, my tour group was fortunate enough to be invited to a local spice shop by our guide. She frequented this market hidden in a winding alleyway. The locals love it. Although the Aswan and Cairo markets are known for spices also, this one was located in Luxor, in central Egypt.
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This region is known for its wide variety of spices. They actually carry herbs and spices from all over Africa. The ones I purchased derived from places such as Morocco, South Africa, Egypt, and other African destinations. In total, I bought around fifteen or so spices and herbs. They included cumin, coriander, mint, parsley, basil, tumeric, curry, oregano, saffron, black/green/red pepper, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon! The scents were very captivating! As a gift for purchasing so much, the vendors give the customers a free spice bag. It is a large colorful, woven sack to carry the heavy load of spices safely and conveniently. They offer a bag of hibiscus leaves for tea as another free gift.

Spice shops display their goods in large, round baskets in their storefront. The spices and herbs are typically in grounded powder form, not whole or liquid. The vendors will scoop up as much a quantity as you wish to purchase. The fresh, local versions of spices and herbs taste so different and so much richer than their supermarket chain counterparts. The taste is much stronger and flavorful! The spices and herbs are sold in their pure, vegan form. They are not mixed with any non-vegan ingredients, nor are they filtered with anything.

Other destinations known for great spice markets are the bazaars of Turkey, Morocco, Thailand and India
. The Asian markets carry spices such as galanga, lemongrass, Indian curry, and cardamon. These spices are used in Thai and Indian cuisines such as curries, pad thai, and stir-fries. Spices can be found in the Floating Markets of Thailand. In places such as mainland China or Hong Kong, you can find shops which sell more medicinal herbs. You can find herbal remedies for a wide variety of ailments such as headaches, stomach aches, aging, and stress. Several of these remedies derive from the plant and tree sources. They are typically brewed in a tea, not consumed in prepared foods. The prices of herbs and spices vary depending on their rarity and desirability. Edible herbs and spices are affordable and can be purchased at minimal cost. The medicinal herbs, however can be very expensive. Some can be purchased for just a few dollars, while others can run up to thousands of dollars.

So when you travel to these places, be sure to visit a spice shop to purchase some savory ingredients for your next vegan meal at home!