It is unlikely that anyone could have predicted my future as a spice merchant, but the signs were all there from the beginning. My interest in plants started at the ground level in childhood- with my hands in the dirt, always checking out the twigs and stems. This led to a degree in botany and organic chemistry, followed by several years in the medicinal herb industry. I have always studied the plant kingdom with infinite interest, in the field and the lab.One day, I turned left instead of right on the sidewalk and my nose led me into "the spice shop" on the Seattle waterfront and it was love at first sniff. I began spice hunting in earnest and the kitchen became my new research lab. That was over a decade ago, and I'm still discovering new flavors every day. As owner of World Spice Merchants, my passion for all things botanical has come full circle and I am pleased to share this glimpse into our world of spices with you.