[foodie adventures] Sugarpill on Capitol Hill (Seattle)

I've been playing around with herb blends for a while, but with all these new flavored salts and sugars hitting the gourmet scene, I was thrilled to discover a little shop in Seattle that offers a wide array of unusual seasonings as well as herbs for culinary and medicinal purposes. Sure, it might be fun to make your own... but this little shop is going to do it better, trust me. And I predict this will be the shop to get stocking stuffers and hostess gifts for your foodie pals this season, as well.

SUGARPILL

900 E. Pine St (Capitol Hill)
Seattle, WA 98122 
206.322.7455
Hours: Sun 11a-3p • Mon and Wed 11a-530p • Tuesday closed • Thurs, Fri and Sat 11a-7p

Herbalist and homeopath Karyn Schwartz,
hard at work on the perfect rosemary salt blend. 

I met proprietor Karyn Schwartz at this hidden little treasure trove just around the corner from Seattle Central Community College back in July and have been back twice since. I blame her for my recent addiction to the fantastic fennel-infused finishing salt with nigella seed that she conjures over the counter at the store. What a treat! I use it on everything: eggs, fish, chicken, potatoes, whole grains, pasta, you name it.

Sugarpill sugars inspire distinct
ideas for  baking you might not
have considered before.

The selection of flavored salts and sugars at Sugarpill, which Schwartz has positioned as a gourmet purveyor of culinary, mercantile and apothecary wares, is really quite broad: salts are infused with lime, alder smoke, celery seed, truffle and other distinct flavors, while the sugars are flavored with real lime, habanero, pomegranate and the like.

You're invited to taste each of them and, trust me, once you start, you won't want to stop. Each open bowl has a tiny spoon that you use to sprinkle a few grains onto the palm of your hand, which you then lick away to taste. Tip: bring a bottle of water if you plan on tasting. You can buy smaller disc-shaped containers of sugars, salts and herbs for around $3 (depending on the product), which I find quite reasonable; then, once you fall in love with a particular product, you can always go back and buy the larger container, which I did with my fab fennel find.

Shelves of seasonings fill the
entire eastern wall at Sugarpill.

The offerings at Sugarpill are meant to meet a variety of interests, as well. If you're looking specifically for hard-to-find herbs, Schwartz's store is a great first place to check; I found dried epazote there only after looking at numerous locations, including Mexican grocers, and coming up empty-handed. If you're looking for garnishes for cocktails, look no further; your margaritas, bloody Marys, daiquiris and mojitos will be all the better for it with a Sugarpill rim. There are also essential oils for use in homeopathic and aromatherapeutic purposes, bath salts and all kinds of yummy local foods including chocolates, jams and teas.

Definitely consider a quick trip to Sugarpill this fall when you're out looking for ingredients for holiday baking. You're sure to enjoy your time there. And should you decide to visit, drop by the Cakespy Shop across the street and say hello to Jessie Oleson for me, would you?

[hat tip to Tiffany Ran for telling me about this wonderful place!]