Although I do still find the song Wannabe kind of catchy…but I digress.

This weekend I took a trip to Central Market, and this aisle–the Great Wall of Spices, if you will–is one of my all-time freaking happy places. I love spices. LOVE THEM. Being someone who is passionate about cooking–and obsessively watches MasterChef and the Food Network–exotic spices are a MUST in the foodie pantry.

I remember the first time I saw The Great Wall of Spices. It was like the skies opened up, angels descended, harp music filled the air and the aisle glowed with magical light. I had found my spice home:

I eagerly looked them over, as I was used to the usual suspect assortment at the local supermarket. But these were chef spices! I was nearly giddy as my eyes skimmed the containers–Saffron! Cardamom! Herbs de Provence! My God, I really could pretend to be Giada with these spices in my pantry!

Thus was the beginning of the exploding spice situation at home. Soon my pantry was overrun with spices. I began stuffing them into baskets and other shelves. Because come on now, I HAD to have my own Great Spice Cabinet at home, didn’t I?

My latest treasured find? SMOKED BLACK PEPPER. This one can change the flavor of anything. You must try it. Trust me on this.

Here are my top five favorite spices:

1.  Smoked Black Pepper. Phenomenal. Seriously, I cannot rave about this one enough.

2. Cinnamon. I cannot have a pantry without this. It’s warm. Cozy. Comforting.

3. Cumin. This one I replenish all the time. I use it in every Mexican/Southwestern dish I make.

4.Sweet Smoked Spanish Paprika. Surprise, it’s not hot…and it tastes amazing in hummus. And I also blend it with butter and rub a chicken with it before roasting. YUM!

5.Herbs de Provence. This is a mixture of different herbs. I use it when roasting chicken or vegetables.

So foodie friends, do tell: what are your top five spices? After all, variety is the spice of life, is it not?

And for me, that variety can be found in one exploding pantry full of them.

XO Aven