Avoid going on the day of a holiday like Diwali, it can get crowded. I like to go a day or two ahead of time and then get my shopping done.

Like any trip to a grocery store, go with a list. It’s easy to get side tracked.

Ask for help! If you are unfamiliar with spices, the brands, etc. ask the store owner for help. Since I haven’t lived in India in more than two decades, I’m unfamiliar with many of the newer brands. I usually ask my mother, sister (who live in India) and of course, the store owner. Store owners and their staff are always so helpful and willing to help. The good thing with a smartphone is that you can pull up a photo of the ingredient and then hunt for it.

Indian stores sell ingredients in various sizes. I prefer to buy smaller quantities for ingredients I won’t go through as fast. You don’t want a large bag of fennel or ground chillies, if you aren’t using them often. Spices like most food even though they’re dried will lose their potency over time. Even flours like atta will smell a little off, if they get old (the naturally present oils in grains go rancid).

There seems to be a notion that in India everyone grinds their own spices to make masalas/spice blends from scratch and pickle their own aachars, I want to dispel this myth. It’s partially true. Just like in the West, Indian people also prefer convenience in the kitchen just like everyone else. If we have the time and want to make them from scratch we will, there ain’t no shame in store-bought.

Some stellar spice brands include Everest, Priya, and MDH. There are subtle differences in flavor because of regional preferences of consumers in India but they’re all good.

This is more of a spice specific purchasing note, when buying asafoetida/hing check the label to see if it is cut (mixed) with wheat flour or rice flour if you’re gluten intolerant.

Indian cookies aka biscuits are very good and they form a huge huge part of our daily chai ritual. The cookie options are endless and I highly recommend grabbing some to try e.g. Parle G, Marie, Good Day, Bourbon, Krack Jack, are some of my favorites from childhood (and in adulthood).

Maggie’s Hot and Sweet Tomato Ketchup, get it and use it wherever you would ketchup.

Buy aged basmati rice, at least one that says it’s a year old. Aged basmati carries the strongest aroma because the grains are allowed to rest and develop their fragrance.

Curry leaves, frozen coconut, dried coconut, frozen drumsticks, frozen okra, jaggery (they usually sell sugarcane jaggery and not palm jaggery) are just some of the ingredients that you will find at your Indian grocery store.

Get your Diwali diyas and Indian cookware here! Rolling pins, large serving spoons, dosa ladles, katooris (small metal bowls to serve food), clay pots to make yogurt, etc. here.