As a fairly novice chef, the world of spices has always felt overwhelming for me. Coming from a family of foodies who take cooking very seriously — and judge like Gordon Ramsay — I knew I had to level up my cooking skills.

Enter: the Vahdam Spice Box ($80, originally $100). The brand is known for its delicious tea blends and is now venturing into producing single-origin spices freshly harvested from farms in India. Michelin-star chef Vikas Khanna, for one, is a huge fan, so I had to try them for myself.

What I Like About the Vahdam Spice Box

For starters, Vahdam's Spice Box looks so stylish, and it's pretty much packaged to be gifted as is. (All that's missing is a personable card and maybe a bow.) When I opened the box, I could already get a whiff of the flavors, which speaks to the potency of each and every spice. The set includes turmeric powder, black pepper powder, whole cloves, ginger powder, cinnamon powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder, and Himalayan pink salt. All of these spices are perfect for beginners and truly essentials for every kitchen. The beauty of a single-origin spice, compared to premade seasoning mixes, is its consistency in taste and ability to be used in multiple ways and recipes. Although I cook a lot of Indian food, I can use these spices for a variety of cuisines, including seasoning my salads, adding depth to pasta sauces, and making a few wellness drinks.

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Ever since this spice box came into my life, I've found myself looking for more ways to use each of these nine single-origin spices. After stealing some home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers from my mom's backyard, I made a quick salad topped with Himalayan pink salt, black pepper powder, and cumin powder, along with some fresh mozzarella. While making a mushroom and shrimp pasta dish, I sprinkled in Himalayan pink salt, black pepper powder, onion powder, and garlic powder to add flavor and dimension to regular marinara sauce. I even enhanced my daily chai with ginger powder, cinnamon powder, and whole cloves. You can also make a golden latte using the turmeric powder and the black pepper powder — adding cinnamon, one or two whole cloves, and ginger for an extra kick.

In comparison with other spices I've used, these are definitely more impactful, therefore I don't need to use as much to truly get the flavor to come through. These spices are produced in farms local to the origin of the spice and packaged on site to ensure freshness and preserve the flavor. This is definitely noticeable, especially when using the cumin, garlic, and onion powders. Rather than needing to use two or three teaspoons of those spices in my meals, I can get away with only one or one and a half teaspoons. Even by the scent alone, I can tell these spices are stronger and of a higher quality compared to cheaper alternatives.

If you don't end up using a certain spice in your cooking adventures, you'll be inspired to expand your recipe repertoire and find ways to incorporate it into your meals, making you one step closer to becoming a better chef. Although I'm not cooking at a Michelin-star level yet (a girl can try), I can confidently say my cooking has gotten a lot better since I've started using this spice set.

The nine spices are stored in golden-hued canisters sealed to help keep them as fresh as possible. They're the perfect size for sliding into drawers or cabinets, but they're also pretty enough that you may want to leave them out in plain sight (where they'll surely get more use). These canisters are also reusable; with their wide opening, you can store a variety of whole spices and herbs, too.

What's Worth Noting About the Vahdam Spice Box

The spices in the Vahdam Spice Box are potent. I suggest seasoning conservatively and tasting as you go to make sure it's the right amount of flavor. It's always easier to add more spice than it is to dilute it or counteract the overbearing flavor.

The tin canisters are so useful, but make sure they're stored upright so the finely milled spices don't fall out when opened. If you're storing them upright in a drawer, you may want to add labels to the lids, since they don't have any — that way, you can easily reach in and grab the right spice.

Who's the Vahdam Spice Box Best For?

The Vahdam Spice Box is best for anyone and everyone who wants to cook, whether you're a beginner or a bona-fide chef. It has a curated selection of spices that can be used for a wide variety of cuisines and recipes, whether it's salads, pasta sauces, Indian food, or even desserts and chai.

Is the Vahdam Spice Box Worth the Splurge?

Having quality ingredients, whether it's organic veggies or fresh spices, will always enhance your cooking experience. The Vahdam Spice Box is definitely worth the splurge if you're looking to level up your cooking or you're shopping for someone who's passionate about food.

If you can't get past the price, think of it this way: you get a good amount of each spice for the amount you're paying. The ground spices are finely milled, and you get around 70 grams of each. You get about 150 grams of the Himalayan pink salt, which is coarse and perfect for garnishing. And you get 50 grams of whole cloves, of which you'll typically only need two to three per serving. All this is to say, each canister should last you a while!

Additional Details

This spice box contains nine single-origin spices: turmeric powder, black pepper powder, whole cloves, ginger powder, cinnamon powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder, and Himalayan pink salt. These spices are all sealed with opaque tin packaging to retain freshness and prevent light exposure. The tins are also reusable, so you can keep refilling them. One percent of Vahdam's revenue is directed to help the farmers' families and kids by providing education funds. The brand is also climate-neutral certified, plastic-neutral certified, and non-GMO certified.