Spice and Tea Exchange adds flavor in Rehoboth

Just in time for barbeque season, visitors in downtown Rehoboth Beach can zest up their grilling experience at The Spice and Tea Exchange.

Opening two weeks ago at 10 Rehoboth Ave., the Rehoboth store is the franchise’s first foray into Delaware. Manager Brenda Pfautsch said owner Joy Quinn also owns locations in Alexandria, Va. and Annapolis. Quinn decided to open in Rehoboth on a recommendation from Pfautsch, who recently moved to the resort.

“We’re excited to be here,” she said.

The Spice and Tea Exchange began in Florida 10 years ago, Pfautsch said, and has come to include more than 30 stores nationwide, most in resort towns and large cities.

Pfautsch said a highlight of the store is its custom spice blends, which are made in-store.

“What we do is we take all our spices and herbs – our peppers, our sugars, our salts – and we make all different kind of rubs, basically,” Pfautsch said.

Blends such as the Butcher’s Rub, Backwoods Hickory, Chef’s Choice and Signature Espresso can be used for steak or pork chops. Pfautsch said the Tuscan Blend is the most popular and can be used as a rub for chicken or mixed with olive oil and served with bread.

“It’s really an all-purpose blend,” she said.

The store also offers Southwest-style blends for Mexican foods and grilled fish and salmon rubs with tea flavoring. Pfautsch said the salmon rub uses tea in its blend. There are also blends for popcorn, pizza and bloody Mary mix, which Pfautsch calls the party blends.

“They’re very versatile,” she said. “You’ll find you can use them on a lot of different things.”

Pfautsch said some blends take five minutes to make; others take longer depending on what the ingredients are. Customers can watch  chefs making the blends.

The Spice and Tea Exchange also offers 30 varieties of tea, from herbal teas to flavors like green tropical and Earl Grey. The store also sells spices, infused or flavored salts and sugars, and plenty of accessories, such as tea infusers, grinders and jars.

Pfautsch said all the products can be purchased by the ounce in pre-made one or four ounce bags or jars.

For those looking for a bit more education on the product, the store offers tea tastings, and, eventually will host special sessions with a herbologist, Pfautsch said.

The Spice and Tea Exchange is open Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beginning Wednesday, May 15, the store will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, call 302-227-3327 or visit www.spiceandtea.com.