We buy cardamom, clove, and nutmeg straight from growers at the garden gate, so we can inspect the crop and meet the people behind each lot before agreeing a price.

Cardamom pods are dried gently so they stay green and keep their oils, because hot, rushed drying turns pods pale and leaves the finished spice with a flat, papery scent.

Clove buds are picked while still pink, then spread out to dry in the sun until they turn dark brown and snap cleanly, which locks in their strong natural oil.