Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods
A distinguished Cambridge establishment
Where Cambridge Cooks Have Shopped for 30 Years
Who Runs It
Christina's has been family-owned since opening in 1995. The Andrade family, with roots in Portuguese culinary traditions, built a spice business that serves everyone from home cooks to restaurant chefs across New England.
The Origin
Started as a small spice counter in Inman Square, Christina's grew into a destination shop by stocking what grocery stores wouldn't: specialty spices from around the world, hard-to-find ingredients, and the knowledge to use them.
What Makes It Special
The selection is staggering—hundreds of spices, chilies, grains, and specialty ingredients from six continents. But what sets Christina's apart is freshness (high turnover = fresher spices) and expertise (they actually cook with what they sell).
For three decades, Christina's has been where Cambridge cooks go when a recipe calls for something obscure. Need Aleppo pepper, sumac, or black lime? They have it—and they'll tell you three other ways to use it.
What People Love
Customers rave about the selection, freshness, and staff knowledge. The prices are fair for quality, and the experience of discovering new ingredients keeps cooks coming back.
What To Know
This is a small, densely-packed specialty shop. The selection is overwhelming if you don't know what you need. Cash preferred.
Prices are significantly better than supermarket "gourmet" spices and comparable to online specialty retailers. The freshness makes the value proposition clear once you cook with them.
Rating Breakdown
The ratings reflect both product quality and the experience of shopping somewhere truly specialized. The occasional lower review usually mentions the cramped space—fair, but that's part of the charm.
What Customers Say
“I made a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe that called for 7 obscure spices. Christina's had all 7, and the staff told me which brand of tahini to pair with them. This place is a treasure.”
“The sumac here is actually red and actually tastes like something. My old grocery store sumac was brown dust. Never going back.”
“Tiny space, can feel cramped when busy. But the selection makes it worth the squeeze.”
Insider Tips
Weekday mornings are calmest. Avoid Saturday afternoons when the weekend cooks descend.
Tell them what cuisine you're cooking and ask for their must-haves. They'll set you up with a starter collection.
The dried chilies are exceptional—get guajillo and ancho for Mexican cooking. The rice selection is also underrated.
Street parking on Cambridge Street is tough. Take the 83 or 91 bus or walk from Central T (11 min).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy small quantities?
Yes, most spices are available in bulk so you can buy exactly what you need. Great for trying something new without committing to a large quantity.
How long do spices stay fresh?
Whole spices last 2-4 years, ground spices 1-2 years. Christina's high turnover means you're getting fresher product than grocery stores where spices sit for months.
Do you ship?
They do limited shipping for large orders. Call to discuss. For most customers, it's worth the trip to smell before you buy.
Known For
Transit Connections
Accessibility
Small step at entrance
Reddit Mentions
Nearby in Inman Square
Contact & Visit
Every establishment has a story involving a Nobel laureate.
“I guess you've just gotta find something you love to do and then do it for the rest of your life.”
— Max Fischer, on entrepreneurship