I'm really surprised at the lack of spices available in the supermarkets around where I live (Mid-levels). I have been trying to find star anise, which I thought was a common, basic ingredient in Chinese cooking - I've tried several shops and been unable to get it, not in the spice/dried herb shelves nor around the Chinese sauces. Where is the best place to buy whole spices? And for Indian spices e.g whole coriander seeds?