Buy the world's finest spices and herbs

"For all your spice and herb purchases, this is where you will find the cream of the crop at competitive prices. Spices are like poetry: they tell a story at the crossroads of flavor, culinary traditions, and botany."

AS

I am Arnaud Sion

Flavor hunter, founder of Comptoir de Toamasina and Private Chef in Brazil

I have selected the best spices for you with the finest aromatic potency. Much like historical explorers, I travel through the terroirs of Minas Gerais in Brazil to find rare treasures. I craft my spice blends like a perfumer creates fragrances and share weekly tips with you on video.

Flavor hunter

Thanks to founder Arnaud Sion, we work directly with top global growers and explore terroirs across Minas Gerais in Brazil.

Perfumer-style blends

Arnaud, Private Chef in Brazil, composes spice blends like a fragrance creator to offer you a unique culinary experience.

Culinary mastery

Comptoir de Toamasina makes spice use effortless. Learn weekly on YouTube how to toast herbs and spices to unlock full flavor.

An aromatic odyssey for creative cooking

At Comptoir de Toamasina, we believe spices are the key to memorable meals. Shop now to bring your recipes to life. Whether you are seeking pepper, curry, ginger, basil, cumin, rosemary, thyme, turmeric, parsley, or nutmeg, we have sourced top quality for you.

Our selection includes all of nature's treasures: chives, nutmeg, chervil, cloves, sage, tarragon, and premium saffron. Elevate your everyday cooking with our curated collection.

Ground and whole world spices

Arnaud Sion, our spice and herb expert, travels the world to select peak harvests. In our store, discover the most vibrant flavors whether dried, steamed, toasted, ground, or whole.

Direct Brazil sourcing

We source Brazilian flavors directly through our local company. From Amazonian tonka beans to Minas Gerais peppercorns, we maintain complete quality control.

Properties & health

Rich in antioxidants, our spices aid digestion and stimulate taste buds. Selected for pure quality and remarkable aromatic intensity.

Perfumer's craft

Arnaud Sion creates blends of 3 to 30 spices like a perfumer formulates scents to elevate your roasts, fish, and desserts.

Arnaud and Georges Sion at the spice plantation in Brazil

What is a spice and how to use it?

Comptoir de Toamasina helps you elevate your cooking throughout the seasons. Spices enhance ingredients with their unique aromatic signature. Whether woody, sweet, citrusy, or fiery, spices bring daily culinary magic to your dishes.

Which spice pairs best with your meals?

  • For red meat: Pair sweet paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, ginger, or coriander.
  • For white meat: Favor cardamom, coriander seeds, curry powder, or pepper.
  • For fish: Pairs beautifully with star anise, sweet paprika, and ginger.
  • For vegetables: Use turmeric, cardamom, or Madagascar cinnamon.

Comptoir history: from Madagascar to Brazil

Founded by Arnaud Sion in 2010 following a journey to Madagascar, Comptoir started with Madagascar vanilla and wild Voatsiperifery pepper. Today, we operate a Showroom in France and a base in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

We work directly with gatherers of wild Amazonian tonka beans through our Brazilian subsidiary. Exploring wild Brazil by 4x4 truck, we uncover rare micro-lots for our customers.

Brazilian tonka bean selection by Comptoir de Toamasina

Where to buy bulk spices online?

On our online store Le Comptoir de Toamasina, we offer bulk sizes (100g, 200g, 500g, 1kg) for savings without compromising freshness. Unlike open-air markets where spices degrade rapidly, our products are stored in airtight glass/PET jars or sealed foil pouches.

Moisture, light, and heat degrade aromatics. Store them away from UV rays. For maximum flavor, favor whole spices and grind them right before cooking.

The art of roasting spices with Chef Arnaud

Arnaud Sion, now a Private Chef in Brazil, shares weekly cooking advice on YouTube. Learn how to dry-roast whole spices in a pan to release essential oils:

Frequently asked questions

Why choose whole spices over ground powders?
Whole spices retain essential oils intact inside their outer structure. Ground freshly before use, they offer vastly superior aroma and flavor potency.
How should I store spices at home?
Keep your jars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing spice jars right above cooking stovetops due to steam moisture.
How do you dry-roast spices to enhance taste?
Heat whole spice seeds dry in a pan over medium heat for 1–2 minutes without oil until aromatic, then grind them in a mortar right away.
Do you offer bulk packaging for food professionals?
Yes, we provide bulk formats ranging from 100g to 1kg for restaurants, caterers, and gourmet delis on our online store.