El Fenicio is a Lebanese bakery where busy workers get up early each morning. Good pita bread is hard to find, but they make it fresh here every day. They also carry fresh hummus, empanadas, plain yogurt, tahini, and baba ghanoush. The hummus has a great flavor and is sold in different sizes with the smallest at just 45 pesos. Olives and other spices are available. It is easy to miss the store because it sits back off the road but is on the left after first turning onto the street. Calle 19 No. 92C, Col. México; 999-944-5099
Chehuan Mid looks like a typical grocery store but they have so much more. The spices are what first caught my eye in the window. They carry pumpkin spice, nutmeg, fennel seeds, sage, and cloves to name a few. Remember Ovaltine chocolate mix? They are carrying it here. They have all types of Planter’s peanuts, chocolate, beef jerky, kalamata olives, specialty cookies, and snacks. The kalamata olives are 58 pesos for 300 grams. They are also doing beautiful gift baskets for 600 to 1050 pesos. A great idea for slightly unusual Christmas presents. Avenida Cupules, No. 65, Mérida; 999-725-2339
Aromatic Herbs is a great place to purchase healthy plants. Jhonatan Adan Almeida Aviles has been selling aromatic carnivorous plants, succulents, and orchids for six years. His mother started the business after the loss of her husband and Jhonatan has been intrigued ever since. This is all done at home and sold online. He delivers to your home for no extra charge and each plant is only $45 pesos. I have purchased rosemary, thyme, basil, chives, and sage plants, but he carries quite a bit more. His products arrive looking healthy and are ready to be potted or planted in the ground. He is responsive and delivers quickly. There is not a shop to drop by, but Jhonatan may be reached on Facebook groups like Marketplace Yucatán, or at 999-387-8834.
Monique’s Bakery and Fermentation Kitchen is a place we have visited for the amazing sourdough bread but the menu and fermentation kitchen make it worth another look. Their big vats of molasses and sauerkraut are so appetizing. A kilo of fresh sauerkraut is 100 pesos. They also carry fresh yogurt for 25 pesos a liter. The beautiful liter bottles of kombucha cost 100 pesos. The area to sit and have lunch is beautifully shaded and the staff is welcoming. They carry a great cold brew for 110 pesos or a healthy lemonade for 40 pesos. The selection of pizza from Mediterranean to just plain cheesy ranges from 133 to 145 pesos. Sandwiches on the fresh sourdough bread range from 145 to 270 pesos. If you just want to take home bread they carry gluten-free, too. Specialty breads like pumpernickel and rye are available by pre-order. Finally, desserts include brownies or healthy choice muffins for 45 pesos. A well-rounded shop. Calle 79 No. 191A between Calle 36 and Calle 38, Montes de Amé, 999-970-0394.
Poinsettias are my favorite flower to decorate in the house this time of year. The bonus is that with the climate here, it is possible to plant them for next year. The business is run out of the owner’s private home and doesn’t have a name, so you really should just drive by. Calle 59 No. 356D, Centro.
Sembra is a place we wrote about in July, but now they are carrying even more products. They now have a section of dried fruits and candies, and you can mix a bag to go. Also, they are carrying ghee, tahini, homemade soaps, and oils. In the refrigerator section, you will find dip such as baba ghanoush. I like watching as they expand their products. Calle 18 No. 98-B, Itzminá; 999-909-1320.
