If you’ve already mixed up a batch of our Syrian Spice, then you’re familiar with how many components it requires. While today we think of our blend as providing just the right amount of flavor and complexity, quite a bit of trial and error was involved before it was pronounced perfect. Although there are admittedly many ways to make Syrian Spice—each family has their own preferences—this is the story of how 11 ingredients came together to form the proprietary blend we favor.

“The one that they had here in the United States, it was made of seven spices,” recalls Steve. “It was fine, but my father-in-law and I broke it down and added four more spices. That made it 11 spices total. Every few weeks we changed the amount or percentage of each ingredient. We had to use more coriander, or more allspice until we came up with the right blend—60 percent of our Syrian Spice is made up of allspice, coriander, and black pepper. The rest we used in smaller portions—cumin, cardamom, cloves, and so on. To test it we would make Kibby Neyeh, a raw lamb dish—that was the only way you could taste the flavors openly. When we got it perfect, we took the recipe to a spice company and they would mix it for us. That’s what we began to use in all our food. Everybody loved it, so we kept it up.”

For years, our family’s signature Syrian Spice was produced in bulk quantities to flavor the dishes at Steve’s Backroom, our family’s much-loved Lebanese restaurants in Harper Woods, West Bloomfield, and St. Clair Shores, Michigan. As of 2021, we’re thrilled to announce that a home-chef blend is available!

Featuring 11 ultra-premium spices, our Syrian Spice comes in a 4.28 oz bottle which equates to one full cup of spice. Because our blend is manufactured in small batches, it’s also guaranteed fresh. Grab a bottle or two right here. Thanks for welcoming us into your kitchen!