Frequently Asked Questions

Products and Services

What is Molinos de la Especia? What do you offer?

Molinos de la Especia is a specialty spice house offering dried herbs, spices and gourmet food items. The name "Molinos de la Especia" is a Spanish translation for ‘spice mills.’ To learn more about us and what we do, visit our About page.

How do you package your spices?

Our spices are packaged in glass jars, food grade foil or PP bags, and they are tamper-evident. This helps keep the spices as good as new and well-protected until you're ready to open and use.

Do you use MSG and other flavorings on your products?

No. We only use wholesome and natural spices and herbs. We do not use extenders and artificial flavorings in any of our products especially our spice blends. However, some natural anti-caking agents might be present in products such as onion powder and garlic powder.

How are you different from other places selling spices and herbs?

We get our products directly from the source. We are not tied to any brand so we have the flexibility to adjust to our market in terms of product offerings and competitive pricing.

We keep a small enough inventory so our spices and herbs do not sit in our warehouse for a long time. This helps us maintain the quality of our products.

How are your powdered spices different from branded spices?

Most of our spice powders and house blends are ground on demand and prepared in small batches to avoid overstocking. This is because powdered spices lose their essential oils faster when they are ground—causing them to lose their flavor and aroma over time. By processing on demand, you are guaranteed that your powdered spices and herbs have rich flavors and aroma.

There are a few exceptions though: chili powders, garam masala, curry powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. These products are procured in their powdered form and have longer shelf lives.

How long can I keep my spices?

Spices don’t spoil and make you sick. However, they lose their essential oils that give flavor, color, and aroma after some time. Whole spices such as whole black peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon sticks can be kept for up to four years when properly stored. Ground spices have a shorter shelf life. Although you can keep them in your pantry for up to 2 years, it is best to use them within six months of grinding. Stale spice powder doesn’t smell like anything and tastes like wood shavings.

What is the best way to store my spices?

Spices are best kept in a cool, dry place inside an airtight container. It is not advisable to put spices and herbs in the fridge because of the moisture and it is best kept away from direct sources of heat and moisture. The least recommended place to store spices is by the cooking range or stove as the heat and moisture will cause the essential oils to dissipate faster and the powders to cake up.

I want to resell your products. How can I be a distributor?

Grab this opportunity to sell our products in your locality to your customers and earn in the process! We have attractive distributor pricing for bulk orders. Please get in touch with us to discuss.

Ordering

How do I place an order?

Add the products you wish to buy to the cart and complete the checkout. Our sales team will contact you to confirm your order. You can also place an order by calling us or by email.

What is your order processing time?

Our sales team will contact you to confirm your order and advise you on the processing time. Confirmed orders are normally processed and delivered within 1-3 days.

Do you provide free delivery?

We strive to provide you with an affordable delivery service. As the delivery fees are a source of income for our delivery drivers, we currently don't provide free delivery unless your order is highly exceptional.

Can I pick up my purchase?

Yes, you can pick up your purchase at our location during our operating hours. Self-collection is free for a purchase of any amount. Please choose “local pickup” when you checkout your order.

Do you ship outside Cebu? What is the shipping rate?

Yes, we ship to other parts of the Philippines. The shipping cost quoted by the courier/shipping agent (typically around 180 to 450 pesos based on weight) will apply as an additional charge to the order. There is no minimum order requirement for orders sent via a courier or shipping agent. We don't offer free shipping, and we don't ship internationally.

How do I pay for my purchase?

You can pay online, pay by GCash or deposit the quoted amount (including shipping charge) in our bank account. We will deliver or ship the items upon confirming payment.

For deliveries and pick up, you can also pay in cash upon receiving your purchased items. This option is not available for shipped orders.

How do I cancel my order?

Send us an inquiry in our Contact page and indicate “Cancel Order” in the subject line. Please provide your order number and contact information so we can contact you to confirm that your order is cancelled and to process any refund.

How do I make changes to my order?

Please send us an inquiry in our Contact page to change your existing order. We will do so in the back-end and update you with the revised order.

Can I purchase spices in a different pack sizes aside from what is available?

We have different pack sizes available for food services and for personal consumption. If you are a proprietor of a business, you can request for our sample packs to test the spices in your production facility.

I am interested in buying a spice that is not in your list. Can you source it for me?

We are continuously reviewing our product offerings to make sure we have what you want. If you are looking for a spice, herb, or other specialty food item that is currently not part of our product list, please send us an inquiry in our Contact page indicating your expected weekly or monthly consumption. We will study the feasibility of whether we can source it out for you.

Do you offer discounts for wholesale purchases?

Yes, we offer discounts depending on the quantity. Give us a call or send us an inquiry so we can discuss in detail.

What is your return policy?

We stand behind our products and services and we want you to be satisfied with your purchase. If you are not happy with the products, you can return it for a full refund or exchange within seven days of purchase. Items to be returned must be in its original packaging. For safety and hygiene purposes, we will not accept returns or exchange for items that are already opened or showing signs of tampering and improper storage.