When I arrived in Northeast Ohio in April 2013, I was kinda bummed that I was unable to find the flavors I was used to on the west coast. You know, the kind of flavors that reach out and grab your tastebuds and smack you through a flavor loop. By the end of 2013, it was a dire situation, searching for the punch of flavor I was used to in a land of muted flavor and quite frankly, bland.
While I wallowing in my misery, a friend had invited me to a restaurant that she said was “sure” to quell the pent up fire/ anger that I was harboring. I reluctantly agreed and met her at First and Main.
As I walked up to the empty store front where the restaurant USED to be, my feelings of utter disappointment quickly turned to excitement as one glance at a sign, just up the way said “heat and flavor”. As my friend was apologizing, I said “there” and pointed to this shop.
Ooooo, the excitement was building, as i had no idea what it would be. Thoughts of heat, flavor, spice, and all other culinary delights and creations were circling through my mind. As I entered the store, I was taken aback by the selection of just, well, everything. Hot sauces, chilies, cookbooks, gadgets and gizmos…
It was a pure delight. 8 years later, I revisited the little heat shop that could, and again, it did not disappoint. Except this time, as I approached the door, I was pretty sure I could smell Ras El Hanout. It was bizarre. “Spices in a heat store?, what is going on” I said to myself. “Maybe there is a new spice shop nearby that I need to hunt for, the ultimate mission” thought ran through but quickly faded as I passed through the same door I did years ago. The wafts of creatively blended spices were perfectly arranged throughout the store, each with its own powerful intoxicating aroma. The inner Chef in me was absolutely ecstatic, my heart skipping a beat with every new step came a new waft of a different spice. Then came the tea, loose leaf, and BAM! there it sat, with a ray of sunshine just above it, and if you listened just right, you could hear little angels singing…. wild cherry loose leaf tea…. I stood in absolute silence marveling at this super delicious tea that is a true gem and hard to find, a good one that is.
This tea did not have a brand, just packed in a small bag with the stores name on it, as all of the other spices and teas did. I quickly grabbed what I wanted and checked out. As I was waiting for my red hot credit card to cool off, I spoke with the super helpful Associate.
We did chat for a minute or two, and I found that they do blend a lot of their spices and teas there. They also were hit hard by COVID-19 but rebounded as soon as the lockdown ended as everybody came to refill their empty cabinets along with new customers as well. She was very informative, knew her products, and was very pleasant. The owner was not in but she had just as much information as you would get out of an owner. She said that the cookbooks, gadgetry, and misc. items do change often. They now offer some local artisan hot sauces and have removed the majority of major labels but the selection is still outstanding. From mild to mind blowing hot.
A definite must stop for anybody wanting a little different in their kitchen.
I say, be adventurous and check it out.
Heather’s Heat and Flavor
First and Main in Hudson
