Kandy Spices supplies quality spices to private and professional kitchens, focusing on high quality, taste, and reliable partnerships. We work with both small producers and selected suppliers worldwide and offer a wide range of spices – from our own single-origin spices from Sri Lanka to carefully selected specialties from other parts of the world. Our approach is based on professionalism, transparency, and respect for the raw ingredients.

Our single-origin spices from Sri Lanka are our heart and origin – a line of single-origin and forest garden spices from small family farms in Sri Lanka. The spices are grown in wild forest gardens on the mountain slopes around the city of Kandy, where farmers use a centuries-old local cultivation method: the 'Kandyan Forest Garden method'. Here, trees, bushes, and plants grow side by side in a natural ecosystem, entirely without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides.

Forest gardening in many ways resembles organic farming, but without certification. The small farms in Sri Lanka have neither the financial means nor access to European organic certification. Instead, they cultivate their crops as they always have – using cow dung and compost as fertilizer and with carefully selected crops that naturally provide shade and keep pests away. The result is aromatic, intense spices with a clear origin and respect for both nature and tradition.

Kandy Spices works closely with local spice farmers, and we visit them regularly to maintain a good relationship and learn about the spices, seasons, and cultivation methods.

When purchasing spices, we aim to minimize the number of intermediaries, often dealing directly with the farmer. This ensures we have control over quality and that the farmer receives a fair price for their product. We follow the rhythm of the year, buying spices as they ripen and are harvested, to best preserve their aroma and fragrance.

In 2023, we truly began selling spices wholesale, and as our customer base grew, so did the demand for more and different spices than what the forest gardens in Sri Lanka could supply.

Therefore, we now also have a wholesale line consisting of carefully selected quality spices from skilled producers around the world. This line is currently sold exclusively B2B to our growing network of restaurants and bakeries. Here you will find: spices, herbs, and specialties from other parts of the world, e.g., vanilla from Madagascar, cardamom from Guatemala, saffron from Iran, etc. The spices can be both organic and conventionally grown, but common to all of them is an uncompromising focus on quality, taste, and responsible farming methods.

David de Silva is the founder of Kandy Spices. He is a spice expert and a trained chef. With roots in Sri Lanka and many years of experience in professional kitchens, David has a deep understanding of the origin, use, and quality of spices. He works to find new spices, enter into sales agreements, and develop products, and his efforts are driven by the desire to convey authentic spices with respect for craftsmanship, tradition, and the people who cultivate the spices.

Lea Allingham is responsible for Kandy Spices' back office functions, webshop, design, packaging, and everything else that keeps the company running. She ensures that the products meet high quality standards and are presented professionally, and she keeps track of the many ongoing projects.