Palmyra Public Library’s Spice of the Month offers unique blends and recipes

People might head into their local library to use the computers or check out a book, but for residents of the Palmyra area, a monthly trip to the library can mean leaving with a new, unique spice and multiple recipe ideas to try.

The Palmyra Public Library started offering a Spice of the Month in 2021, and executive director Chelsea Weibley said the program has taken off.

“I had heard of another library that was doing something similar, and I love cooking, so it was definitely something that piqued my interest,” Weibley said. “I also love learning about different countries and cultures, and I think food is such a great way to do that, so I thought, what better way to help the community learn about countries and culture through food and really just give them a chance to explore cooking different foods with different ingredients that they might not be exposed to.”

The spices are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, with library-goers responding on social media or calling to reserve a kit to be picked up the next time they visit the library. Weibley said kits are usually claimed within one or two days.

Each kit also comes with an information page about the spice that includes background on its history, cultural uses, health benefits, and flavor notes. There are three provided recipes, and Weibley said there’s enough of the spice to try at least one recipe.

Shichimi togarashi, berbere, and speculaas are just a few examples of spices that have been offered. Even if visitors weren’t familiar with the seasoning before the month, the sample is sometimes enough to get people hooked.

“There’s definitely been spices that people have responded to well, said this has now become a pantry staple, or some of the recipes,” Weibley said. “I know multiple people have said recipes have become a part of their families’ rotating dinners that they have never tried before, and now they’re cooking these specific recipes that they’ve found through [the Spice of the Month Club] on a rotating basis.”

She said the Spice of the Month has also become a social event for some. People take to social media to share what they made, and a few have turned it into a monthly family event where they cook a new recipe together.

“We really want to bring the community together,” Weibley said. “We want to help connect the community, find ways for the community to work together, explore together.”

People might not expect to have a new spice to try when they leave the library, but she said sharing knowledge on all topics is part of the mission.

“Libraries are all about providing information, good quality information, to help people learn about whatever they want to learn about, and food and cultures are no exception,” Weibley said.