Xilli Mole Negro
Rich and nearly black in color, mole negro is a centuries-old Oaxacan sauce that gets its smoky, deep flavor from toasted chilies and nuts and charred vegetables. Other pre-made mole pastes and powders we’ve tried are bland, chalky and bitter, but Xilli’s Mole Negro is the polar opposite. Prepared by hand in small batches, it’s smooth and decadent with a pleasant moderate heat. Upon first taste, you’ll notice deep earthy notes, followed by hints of bittersweet Oaxacan chocolate. The addition of ingredients like tomatillos, ginger, raisins and a variety of nuts also shine through in this mole, adding complexity and depth but not overpowering one another. Though it takes days to make, this mole is the perfect kitchen shortcut, offering decadent, long-cooked flavor in little time. And, since this mole negro is launching exclusively at Milk Street, so you won’t find it anywhere else.
Embe Organic Coconut Milk Powder
We’ve been searching for years for a powdered coconut milk that works as an easy, shelf-stable swap for the canned stuff, and we’ve finally found it. Sourced from organic processors in the Philippines, embē’s Coconut Milk Powder has changed the way we cook: Raw, unsweetened and organic, this powder can be subbed 1:1 in the place of canned coconut milk—simply mix with water and use only what you need (no more half-used cans languishing in the back of the fridge). It has a mild, creamy fresh coconut flavor with zero chalkiness; it’s just as good, if not better, than canned coconut milk or cream. Try it in smoothies, curries, soups, shakes, dessert or even as a creamer replacement in coffee for a rich, coconutty boost. Bonus: It comes in a resealable bag for easy use and storage. Naturally dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free.
Pure Indian Foods Organic Tamarind Paste
Pure Indian Foods’ organic tamarind paste has a pure, clean flavor with a bracing tartness. This thick, smooth paste is our favorite form for using tamarind as a souring agent. While fresh pods are available in some markets, it’s more commonly sold as a concentrate or as dense blocks of pulp that need labor-intensive soaking and straining; both forms sacrifice nuanced flavor in favor of convenience, whereas this tamarind paste is both easy to use and intensely flavorful. Pure Indian Foods, which traces its roots to 1889 in northern India, still uses traditional methods to make its products. The company’s pantry staples have a complexity and authenticity that just can’t be imitated.
Pure Indian Foods Organic Cultured Ghee
Pure Indian Foods cultured ghee is a shelf-stable cooking fat made from butter that has been simmered to cook off its water and milk solids. It has an extremely high smoke point that makes it better for sautéing, searing and frying than other cooking oils, which can burn and develop acrid flavors.
Pure Indian Foods Organic Kashmiri Red Chili Powder
When venturing into Indian cuisine at home, the bright, distinctive flavor of Kashmiri chili pepper is indispensable. This chili powder's fiery red-orange hue belies its relatively moderate spice—think hot paprika, not cayenne. Pure Indian Foods' product is especially fresh and aromatic, preserving the chili's herbaceous, delicate qualities. Treat this versatile spice like a vibrant paprika or chili powder. Its bright fruity flavor is especially delicious with pork dishes; use it for a simple spice rub with salt and pepper on roast tenderloin.
Pure Indian Foods Ground Garam Masala
Pure Indian Foods Ground Garam Masala is the best version of this Indian spice blend that we have tasted—plus, the most bold and aromatic. The company's unique blend, based on a family recipe, has a more complex flavor and aroma than other varieties. A base of black peppercorns, cumin, delicate Ceylon cinnamon, ginger and cloves provides an aromatic spicy foundation, along with two types of cardamom pods: minty, citrusy green cardamom and smokier black cardamom. Additionally, Pure Indian Foods uses hard-to-find organic mace—the outer coating of nutmeg that has a more floral flavor and basil-citrus aroma—and woody yet brightly piquant long pepper, which is essential to Indian cooking but harder to source due to its labor-intensive harvest methods.
Pure Indian Foods Organic Curry Powder
We love how this organic curry powder hints at the traditional Madras style of curry, while also bringing a balanced flavor that doesn’t just highlight one single spice. They all work together in harmony, creating layers of flavor that arise one after the other. Fenugreek offers that classic curry flavor, while warm cinnamon, spicy ginger and fragrant cloves round things out. Coriander, cumin and tart mustard bring a base note of savoriness, and cayenne and black pepper give a kiss of gentle heat. The quality of the organic spices is evident in how bold and aromatic they come across, which truly sets it apart from others we’ve sampled. Also, this curry powder has a smoother grind, so it will never make a dish gritty.
Pure Indian Foods Himalayan Basmati Rice
This certified organic basmati rice from Pure Indian Foods is aged for at least two years, until every grain is fragrant and aromatic. The longer aging process means the slender, extra-long grains cook up dry and separate easily—unlike mushy, clumpy, sticky generic brands. It’s some of the best basmati we’ve ever tried. Use this light, quick-cooking rice in any recipe, or serve plain or in a pilaf alongside vegetables, meat, or seafood.
Pure Indian Foods Organic Whole Yellow Mustard Seeds
Fiery and powerful, brown mustard seeds add pungent flavor to dishes. The brown and black variety are quintessential to the cuisines of South Asia, with a spicier profile than yellow mustard seeds. Ground, these can be used in spice mixes for meat, seafood or vegetables; whole, they’re excellent fried with ghee or oil to make tarka, the flavor base of many South Asian dishes, or used as a pickling spice.
Pure Indian Foods Organic Tellicherry Black Pepper
Considered one of the highest-quality varietals of black pepper in the world, tellicherry peppercorns must come from Tellicherry, a coastal city in Kerala, India. Whereas supermarket peppercorns have a mostly sharp, one-note spice, Tellicherry peppercorns taste warm and nutty with an intense zing, citrusy aroma and notes of tea and sandalwood. The growing and supply of these rare peppercorns is so carefully controlled that they’re hard to find at a price that won’t break the bank—we were thrilled to find that Pure Indian Foods offers one. Hand-selected from late-harvest pepper berries, only 10 percent of these floral peppercorns make the cut to qualify as Tellicherry Garbled Special Extra Bold variety. They’re used in some of the best professional kitchens around the world, appreciated for their complexity and moderate heat.
Hanamaruki Foods Liquid Shio Koji
A traditional condiment made from fermented malted rice, shio koji is known in Japan for packing a punch of umami into everything from marinated meats to savory soups. All shio kojis aren’t created equal, though, for Hanamaruki Foods distills the powerful flavor properties of this essential Japanese ingredient into an easy-to-use liquid form—the only Liquid Shio Koji available on the market—to create the ultimate pantry secret weapon. We love the condiment’s clean, yet bold flavor: salty rounded out with a pronounced sweetness and burst of umami. It’s made by pressing shio koji in its original paste form and filtering until it yields the clear, golden-hued liquid. The product isn’t heat-treated, so its enzymes remain active and effective in rendering meat remarkably moist and juicy, balancing bitterness in veggies like eggplant and adding amino acids for a full-flavored finish to any dish to truly change the way you cook. Use as a marinade for meats and fish, drizzle into salad dressings and sauces to balance savory flavors, or incorporate into baked goods to add a layer of tantalizing complexity.