Foodie Shopping: Spices, Cheese, Wine, Oh My

Sometimes, the best purchases are temporary ones. The kind you can eat.

Foodies, start your stomachs a-rumblin’ and get out your pocketbooks. Boulder’s got a ton of incredible places to shop that center around food.

Sure, there are the common chains: Crate and Barrel in Broomfield, Cost Plus World Market, Sur La Table, Tuesday Morning, Pier 1 Imports, HomeGoods. Plus, kitchen design companies, like the KB Studio.

But if you’re looking for a snack, something to spice up your snack or something to serve your snack on, here’s where to shop. These are our favorite local food-related stores in Boulder (and a little beyond).

Savory Spice Shop, 2041 Broadway, Suite 1

Savory Spice Shop, a short walk from the Pearl Street Mall, is a rare gem. This entire store is dedicated to spices, blends, sauces, extracts, special salts and specialty foods. You can also pick up cooking products, spice gift sets and all kinds of “secret ingredients.” This spice specialist can help you transform a regular meal into a culinary masterpiece.

The Savory Spice Shop is a lot more exciting than it sounds (even to foodies). It was named the Downtown Business of the Year in 2009 and provides spices to lots of local restaurants, coffee shops, breweries and food-makers.

Looking for a recommendation? Try chicharron salt. For colder weather, try chile hot chocolates and chai mix.

Peppercorn, 1235 Pearl St.

Peppercorn is a Pearl Street Mall staple and has been one of the best places to buy kitchen goodies for more than 35 years. This stunning independently owned shop features some of the finest kitchen appliances, gourmet foods, imports and unique products that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Peppercorn has been called “the Smithsonian of cook stores” for its impressive artistic displays that will inspire you, even if you can’t afford them.

The shop was founded in the ‘70s as a cooking school and small gourmet kitchen store. But it has now grown to an impressive 12,000 square feet.

Cured, 1825 Pearl St.

Cured is a great cafe to grab a sandwich or cheese platter, but it’s also a small gourmet grocery store. Find unique and rare food goods, plus wine, beer, spirits, meat and tons of cheese. Cured claims it has the smallest wine shop in Colorado, but it’s filled with interesting bottles that you probably haven’t tasted before. European-style sandwiches are the specialty at Cured, but you can also find pates, pastas and other food to eat right on the spot or to take home (or on a picnic).

Cured has two locations: one on each of the east and west ends of Pearl Street.

Le Frigo Deli + Provisions, 5360 Arapahoe Ave., Suite B2

This deli is also a gourmet food market with European products, like olive oil from Italy, olives and Serrano ham from Spain, Prosciutto San Danielle from Italy, Speck from Austria and mustard from France. Le Frigo also boasts one of the best selections of meats, cheeses and more. This shop has more than 100 different kinds of cheese from around the world. Don’t miss the great mousse and pate selection, too.

If you want to eat on the spot, order a European-style sandwich to go. If you’re craving adventure, try blood sausage. If you’re missing Paris, try the Jambon-Beurre.

Cheese Importers, 103 Main St., Longmont

Head to Longmont for the Cheese Importers Warehouse, which has a huge cheese room, cafe and incredible shop. The locally owned Cheese Importers is set up in a gorgeous historic building with a charming patio out back where you can eat a European-style breakfast and sip coffee before heading indoors for some mouthwatering shopping. Order food from the authentic French Bistrot des Artistes.

Browse teapots, cups, table settings, home decor, crackers, cookies, linens, perfumes, chocolates, olives, cured meats and all kinds of rare specialty foods. Most notable is the largest walk-in, refrigerated cheese and meat market in the state, with more than 350 cheeses. Don’t miss the upstairs, where there’s even more shopping and an adorable European-style children’s department. The shopping selection here is impressive and worth the drive from Boulder. More than 400 restaurants, grocery stores and hotels carry Cheese Importers goodies.

Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese, 1121 Colorado Ave.

Another foodie gem in Boulder is Haystack Mountain, which sells handcrafted cheese made from goat milk. All Haystack cheese is made old-school-style, in small batches.

You can find Haystack cheese at grocery stores or visit the farm (and see the goats) to learn how it was made and pick some up on the spot. The “cheese education center” will teach you how to make goat cheese (and taste it, too). Make sure to check out Haystack’s special classes and events.

Ku Cha House of Tea, 1211 Pearl St.

Ku Cha is a sliver of peace on the Pearl Street Mall. Step into this tranquil tea shop and taste some of the world’s finest teas. Head to the back for a cup of tea in the quiet cafe before browsing the beautiful teapots, cups, tea paraphernalia and leaves up front. The shelves also include tea kettles, canisters, snacks, sweeteners, infusers and strainers.

Local tip: You can even blend your own leaves and create a unique tea flavor.

Celestial Seasonings, 4600 Sleepytime Drive

This famous line of teas is based in Boulder and you can tour the headquarters to see how tea is made from leaves to cup. Afterward, stop by the Tea Shop for unique souvenirs. You can purchase tea here, of course. But you can also find healthy snacks, beauty products, teapots, teacups, lip balm, stuffed animals, clothes, hats, aprons, soaps, lotion and more.

After shopping, get a bite to eat at the Celestial Cafe.

Other Notable Foodie Shops

• The Boulder Wine Merchant: Get upscale wine and craft beer here. This shop also occasionally holds special events.
• West End Wine Shop: Another wine specialty store in Boulder where you can find good vintages and enjoy free wine tastings.