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Hey! This nursury specialized in seeds for (particularly Asian) communities, and has a really great mission as well. They may have things you otherwise have a hard time locating in the US:

https://www.kulanursery.com/plants

So pleased to see this topic! Keep the responses coming, please.

What Indian or Asian or other cuisine's vegetables and herbs have members grown themselves? I've only gone as far as tomatillos (easy & abundant) and poblano chiles, also easy and worth growing especially because they freeze well after roasting. Oh, and about a decade ago I grew a fairly anise-y tasting plant sold as "Mexican oregano" by a local greenhouse but without a botanical name. The leaves were tasty in Mexican dishes calling for oregano, but the seller's no longer in business and I've never been really sure that was authentic.

I'd like to try growing epazote, which is reputedly beyond easy, to the point of weediness (needs deadheading to avoid too much self-seeding). You only need a few sprigs at a time, mostly for black beans.

The 'Lemon Drop' chile a friend grows & made delicious preserves with is one I'd like to grow; it's a close relative of the Peruvian aji amarillo, another on my 'someday' list. She gets many of her veg seeds through Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and I think the Lemon Drop pepper came from there.

I have been growing shiso for the past ten years or so.  It is a beautiful plant and grows really well here in NW Oregon.  It has been fun searching out new recipes that call for it on EYB.  I originally got it for a Thai appetizer recipe I loved but then found out that it is also called Perilla in the Philippines.  That set off more searches on EYB.  I usually just pick up a little plant of it at the herb growers' stand at the farmers' market.

Thanks for all the tips!

Originally Posted by: Io.veronicascott

Hey! This nursury specialized in seeds for (particularly Asian) communities, and has a really great mission as well. They may have things you otherwise have a hard time locating in the US:https://www.kulanursery.com/plants

Ooh these look great, awesome resource especially for those on the west coast. I ended up trying a few varieties at https://www.seedsofindia.com/ I ordered a curry leaf tree from them a few years back that did well. Other favorites: https://store.experimentalfarmnetwork.org/ Lots of fun stuff, I grew their fava beans last year. https://www.fruitionseeds.com/ Not super internationally types but a fun earnest little business and their seed quality is amazing, everything I have grown from them has great germination and is robust. I have tried several Paprika varieties from Fedco seeds that have done well in our climate and I dehydrate for powder. I also find a few fun things on Etsy, but it’s not quite as reliable as “real” seed companies. I’m trying a couple of Korean peppers but can’t report back yet 😊

Actually it's not really weird that birds are snacking on your peppers as they don't feel the heat from hot peppers as they don't have the same pain receptors as mammals do and so they play a hugely important role in seed spreading (which is actually the point of fruiting plants producing seed laden fruits :)