I've often wondered about how the hobbits got some of their more exotic foodstuffs. No doubt the dwarves have something to do with it. I've always imagined the dwarves as being great at bartering. And they do have dealings with men. Things like coffee, tea and spices no doubt come to the Shire over a circuitous route via men of the south, to men of the north, to dwarves and eventually to hobbits.