Most places I’ve worked have the obligatory annual workplace potluck of introvert torture dreaded by folks such as myself. But a few years ago I found a way to make the event pass more bearably. I slipped a can of smoked rattlesnake onto the potluck buffet table, and seated myself to watch reactions. As the buffet line of squinty disbelief and snarly nostrils passed by the snake, I started planning for the following year when I brought cheese dusted crickets. I’ve since been eyeballing a formidable single serving jelly fish at 99 Ranch for the 2016 event, but in my quest for stranger things to serve, I came 
across an exclusive downtown Sacramento shop that only sells spices. It does not disappoint.
According to the website, the Allspicery is “Sacramento’s first and only one-stop spice shop, offering the highest quality spices, herbs and spice blends from near and far.” The new shop came in to being thanks to 
entrepreneur Heather Wong’s entry into Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s Calling All Dreamers contest. Winners of the contest receive a prize package that includes start up capital, downtown storefront space, business coaching and more.
The Allspicery is off to a great start too. Of the many things to appreciate about the shop, you can purchase small amounts of a spice needed rather then purchasing an entire jar of which you’ll potentially only ever need a tablespoon. A comprehensive menu is 
located on shop’s website, but you would do better to visit and enjoy the sensory experience of a beautiful store rich with inspiring textures, scents and tastes.
Be certain to have in your kitchen glass jars with air tight lids for some of your purchases, or you risk your more potent selections overpowering your kitchen with what might be some not-so-happy accidents of flavor merge.
Last but not least, at the top of my list for the next Allspicery product to try, Scorpion Pepper “Death” Salt on my Killer Caramels .
See the Allspicery for yourself at 1125 11th Street.
