text: This gastrogem instantly connects me with my former lifetimes in India Rani dishes up some sumptuous homestyle food at the back counter with the love of a dotting grandmother The tangy and fresh chutneys accompany her rich and flavorful vegfare perfectly Her pakoras are a hearty treat and one of the few deep fried foods I will indulge in because how can you say no to your adopted Indian grandmother The rest of the store is a delectable journey through spice I can easily lose track of earthly time here To my lesstraveled western epicurians know this is not like the International Isle at Whole Foods Expect Hindi TV gheescented air tables sticky with Chai resin and dusty nag champa boxes to abound All part of the authenticity and love that is Rani World I recently read that India does irradiate their spices like we do in the West so buying Indian spice products are both costhealth effective but do check expiration dates My staples from these illustrious isles include star anise tumeric chana besana flour rose water peppered pampadams yellow splitmung beans aspativa basmati rice mustard seed cinnamon bark ghee and the beauty of fresh curry leaves from the produce section