Story Behind Swīfan

Martha Pichardo, Swīfan’s founder, is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, and passionate eater. She is an inquisitive taster, always asking to tour the kitchen, lift open the bubbling pot, and understand the ingredients that bring the magic of exceptional food and shared meals to life.

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Martha moved to New York in 2019 and saw the need for fresh, high-quality spices like those that had seasoned the food of her childhood. With a family that was involved in the grocery business, Martha learned that too often industrial production of spices resulted in products that lost their aromatics and complexity of flavor.

Through a family connection, Martha was able to learn from the fabled Golombeck spice purveyors, whose wholesale spice business drew on a network from around the world established over six decades. Not only does the country-of-origin influence quality, but the specific regions, farmers, foragers, and methods and time of harvesting all influence the scents and subtle flavors of the final product.

Martha is dedicated to sourcing the very finest spices in each category and making them available to restaurants and home chefs at an affordable price. From single-source spices to enticing blends, Swīfan is dedicated to bringing more flavor into your life.

Our team is dedicated to bringing the highest quality spices and blends sourced from around the world to our customers.

All our products are:

•  Curated from the very best sources based on decades of trusted relationships.
•  Guaranteed to be non-GMO, sustainable, and gluten-free.
•  Transported whole and ground in the USA to preserve the maximum freshness, aromatics, and flavor.

After building our reputation selling at selective markets and respected chefs, Swīfan recently launched our direct-to-consumer business. Now home chefs can have a remarkable culinary experience with spices full of pure flavor like those used at the finest restaurants. 

Spices are often the ingredients that cost the least for a meal but provide the most flavor. Our customers care about quality and eating delicious food. 

Our quality is 100% guaranteed and if you are not thrilled with our product contact us and we'll make it right with no questions asked. But more likely you will be discovering the full range of products that Swīfan offers to discerning cooks and delighted diners.

First time visiting the Golombeck's Brothers in Brooklyn, 2019.

They were acquired later that year.

Morris J. Golombeck Facility.

Where the journey began.