Walk into any kitchen that takes spices seriously and you will find the same thing: whole seeds, ground powders and dried pods sourced directly from the regions that have grown them for centuries. Not blends, not fillers - the real thing, intact and at full potency.
Every product in this catalogue is exactly that. Sourced from India and beyond, packed to European food safety standards, and brought to you under the BaazarImport name. Eight products. Eight reasons to cook better.
There is a reason this lentil sits at the heart of so many beloved South Asian recipes. The skin changes everything. It adds a deeper, earthier flavour, a satisfying texture and significantly more fibre than the peeled white alternative. This is not an inferior product that still has its husk - it is the preferred form for cooks who know what they are doing.
Twenty minutes. No soaking. That is the entire barrier to entry for one of the most nourishing, satisfying meals in any cuisine. ApnaBaba Red Split Lentils are hulled and split Masoor Dal - they cook fast, they absorb everything you cook them with, and they dissolve into a silky, comforting consistency that works equally well as a soup base, a curry centrepiece or a protein-rich component in plant-based cooking.
Open the bag and the colour tells you everything: deep, warm, unmistakably golden. This is what a curry looks like. What rice looks like when it is cooked right. What a glass of golden milk is supposed to be.
Crack a single seed between your fingers and you understand immediately why serious cooks insist on whole over ground. That bright, citrusy warmth - floral, warm, faintly nutty - is what happens when essential oils stay locked inside an intact seed rather than slowly fading from an open jar.
If there is one spice that quietly holds an Indian curry together without announcing itself, it is this one. Where chilli brings fire and cumin brings depth, coriander powder brings something that neither of them can: a mild, sweet, citrusy balance that rounds every flavour out and makes a sauce taste finished.
Powder gives you heat. Flakes give you heat and presence - those visible, seed-speckled bursts of red that tell you exactly what a dish contains before it even reaches the table. That textured quality is the point. AliBaba Chilli Crushed are 100% dried red chillies (Capsicum annuum), coarsely crushed to include both skin and seeds.
This is not a background spice. Chilli Whole Extra Hot are sun-dried whole chilli pods, sorted for quality and selected for their intense, uncompromising heat. Deep red, fiercely aromatic, with an immediate and powerful punch followed by a concentrated, fruity-pepper depth that lingers long after the first bite.
Open the bag before you cook it and you smell it - a faint, clean, floral warmth that is entirely natural and entirely the point. That aroma is the signature of true aged basmati, and it is there because Divan Basmati Premium Rice is extra-long grain Oryza sativa harvested from the traditional growing regions near the Himalayas and then aged deliberately to reduce moisture.
The catalog currently includes eight products divided into three categories: spices (whole seeds and ground), lentils and pulses, and rice. All are available under the AliBaba, ApnaBaba, and Divan brands. The full catalog with descriptions, specifications, and barcodes is available on the Catalog page.
AliBaba is the basic line – robust, reliable, full potency. It covers the widest range of spices, lentils and pulses. ApnaBaba is a premium line with a more careful selection of grains and ground spices, aimed at cooks looking for greater consistency in taste and granulation. Same origin, same EU packaging standards – the difference is in the selection step that precedes packaging.
Whole seeds retain the essential oils within the intact shell – the aroma and flavor remain locked in until the seed is cracked or ground. They are ideal for tempering in oil, pickling and fresh grinding as needed. Powder is pre-ground for quick application – offers consistent granulation and saves time, but it is recommended to use it faster as the essential oils are subject to evaporation after opening.
Yes, both. All spices, lentils and rice in the catalog are plant-based and completely vegan. No preservatives, no anti-caking agents, no synthetic dyes. What is written in the ingredients – that’s all that is in the bag.
Depending on the product:
Yes – the HoReCa segment is one of the primary focuses. We offer flexible terms for professional kitchens looking for a reliable supplier of spices and rice in regular quantities. Batch consistency, origin documentation and format customization are available upon request.
The spices and lentils in the catalog are naturally gluten-free. This is indicated on the packaging where it has been confirmed by laboratory testing of the batch. If you have a severe intolerance or celiac disease, we recommend checking the label on the specific batch as packaging conditions may vary.
The spices and lentils come from India – a source that has been responsible for the global standard in these cultures for millennia. The Basmati rice comes specifically from the Himalayan foothills, where the longest and most fragrant grains are grown. All products are packed in Italy according to EU food safety standards.
Packaging within the EU ensures compliance with European food safety regulations – including hygiene standards for packers, batch traceability and correct declarations for the European market. Raw materials are imported from the source and then packaged under EU supervision. This is not a compromise on quality – it is a guarantee of standards for the end customer.
Yes. Each batch carries a lot number and packing date on the packaging. For B2B
partners and HoReCa clients who require origin documentation for their own internal processes – specifications and supporting documentation are available upon request. Contact us directly.
· Spices (ground and whole) — airtight, dark, and cool
location, away from heat and direct light. Heat and light
destroy volatile oils.
· Lentils and legumes — dry, well-ventilated place, airtight
after opening. Moisture is the biggest enemy.
· Basmati rice — dry place, sealed in original or airtight
packaging, away from strong odors. Stored properly, it will retain its quality
for up to three years.
The shelf life is indicated on each package and depends on the type of product.
As a general guideline: ground spices are optimal for up to 18–24 months from packaging, whole seeds last up to three years, and lentils and rice for up to two to three years under ideal conditions. Always check the expiration date on the packaging of the specific batch.