Wonderful diversity

Some are fragile and volatile, others can only be ground in a certain way to bring out their flavours and others yet are better in whole seeds rather than powder. Our understanding of spices allows us to play with their profusion as well as the diversity of their characters, to heighten both our food and our senses.

With more than 70 items, HEDIARD allows you to discover rare spices and unique mixtures of great taste and enchanting scents.

Far adventures

Until the 18th century, the spice trade was reserved for the more fortunate and was the subject of bitter rivalries to satisfy an ever increasing demand. Today, despite the common use of spices, they still symbolize “a flavour from abroad”, far-off adventures and great discoveries.

Spices from the world

The spices selected by HEDIARD come from all over the world.

Oriental spices, like star anise, cinnamon, curry, saffron, pepper, nutmeg and ginger grow wild in India, China and Indonesia.

American spices, brought back by great explorers like Christopher Columbus or Pierre Poivre, continue to have a very strong aroma. Pepper or vanilla, they can both be sweet, salty, spicy or mild.

Mediterranean spices, thyme, basil, cumin are often dried and extremely fragrant.

Since antiquity, pepper has been the most coveted and most expensive of all spices.

Native to India, it is cultivated in Indonesia, in Ceylon and Madagascar, as well as in Brazil and in Nigeria. Peppers are surprisingly varied: fruity green pepper, hot, bitter black pepper, fragrant, sweet white pepper, grey pepper, a blend of black pepper and white pepper, pink pepper.

The spice counter

Hediard has given the spice merchant trade pride of place. The Hediard spice merchant knows each seed, the exact doses and the surprising power of an herb down to the last detail: the perfect guide for precise usage.

Travel without taking a step

Ferdinand Hediard had the most unusual spices shipped to his shop. It was his way of travelling around the world. Little has changed today. Despite our freedom of movement, nothing is as powerful as the evocative force of a faraway spice in the kitchen each day.