Websites that let you add some spice to your life (or at least, your kitchen)

If cooking bores you, maybe it’s time to spice up your kitchen routine. Adding new-to-you spices, herbs and flavors to your pantry is one way to shake up your cooking style and make your meals even more delicious.

The good news is, if your local grocery store’s spice rack is a little vanilla, there is no need to get stuck in an Italian Seasoning rut. Some of the best spice purveyors have set up shop online so that you can diversify your spice rack from the comforts of your own living room.

Spice House: Since 1957 the Spice House has been a Midwest destination of only the highest quality, hand-selected and hand-prepared spices and herbs. At their Chicago outpost, you can watch your spices being blended and packaged right before your eyes, but they also have an extensive online shop – and a recipe database so you can use those spices again and again – getting the most bang for your buck.  I like the Herbes de Provence (great for flavoring soups and stews)and Blue Cheese Dip Mix (which is great mixed with sour cream on a baked potato).

Tsp Spices: Born out of two working moms’ love for full-flavored food and bold ingredients, tsp spices offers shoppers a wide range of organic spices that are free of additives and fillers and packaged to preserve their freshness. From simple spices like basil and dill weed to gift sets that feature more complex flavors it’s a great place to find gifts for food loving friends and family – or yourself.

All Spice Cafe: If you like a little – or a lot of – heat in the kitchen, the All Spice Cafe will be a one-stop shop for you. Owners JD Cowles and John Lesko began making spice rubs and hot sauces in their own kitchens and took their shop online when friends and colleagues started asking the pair for their own bottles and blends to take home. Lesko reccomends Caribbean Spice, a unique, award-winning hot sauce that has notes of allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

(Photo Credit: tsp spices)