Spices!

[kentgirl]

Since I'm starting to cook more, I'm buying more and more spices and herbs. To ensure that I was storing them properly and knew the shelf life of spices, I did some research and found this great web site that gives good information on how to store spices, how NOT to store spices, how old is too old, and some links on where to buy spices. I thought I'd share this with you. http://www.creativeseasoning.com/HrbSpcSections/ShelfLife.htm

Now the question I have for everyone, what method do you have for storing your spices? Do you keep them in the original container? Do you store them alphabetically to find them easily? Do you date them when you purchase them? Any additional advice on purchasing and storing spices and herbs.

ThankS1

[MrsReber]

I store my spices in the original containers. Unfortunately, I do not really have any method of keeping them orderly. I'm sure my husband would love for me to find a method! Since he likes to keep the spices in a very high cabinet which only he can see into, I do have a hard time finding things and sometimes get frustrated. What I really want is a rack with steps (I don't know what it's called-something with different tiers) so I can actually see what spices are in my cabinet! Right now they are all on the same level and frequently get moved around. I do keep a mental note of what I have on hand, however, so at least that's something!

[sneezles]

I keep my spice in their original containers if they are glass or plastic but some I buy is cello bags so those I bottle (using one I have emptied and make labels for on the computer). I have the tiered racks and I alphabetize them. I never use to then one day when I was cleaning that cabinet I found 4 bottles of ground ginger and duplicates of many others!

[This message has been edited by sneezles (edited 11-02-2000).]

[Ohioan]

I keep my herbs and spices in their original Penzey's jars, and I mark the month and year of purchase on the labels so I can track them. Also, since I have so many of these jars, I keep them arranged in categories: peppers (black, white, cayenne, etc.), herbs, Indian and Mexican spices (these go together because they "share" cumin and coriander, but they're next to the herbs so the Mexican oregano can be next to the Greek oregano), fruit peels, dried veggies, and so on.

Okay, so I'm obsessive-compulsive. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif But without a system, I'd never find anything!

Cheers, Phoebe

[MrsReber]

Phoebe, can you come to my house and fix my spice cabinet?

[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 11-02-2000).]

[Ohioan]

Originally posted by MrsReber:
Phoebe, can you come to my house and fix my spice cabinet?

Only if you make me a big mushroom pizza! Heeheeheeheehee.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Cheers, Phoebe

[lorilei]

I usually buy my spices in bulk, so most of them end up in glass jars that I've labeled myself. I have a beautiful old spice cabinet with 12 shelves -- so I have a tendency to categorize my spices by "flavor"... SPICEY on one shelf, SAVORY on another, all of my CURRIES and ASIAN spices are together, and all of my baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, cardamom) lurk together on a shelf of their own. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kentgirl]

lorilei, where do you buy your spices in bulk?

Also, on that website I posted, it mentioned the following:
"Frankly, the merchants that stock those grocery shelves are counting on the fact that most consumers don't know where else to buy their seasoning. Consequently, the prices are as high as they think they can get away with! Instead, find an alternative source for your herbs and spices."

This was surprising to me....I didn't realize grocery store spices were overpriced. For those of you that buy your spices elsewhere, do you really see a difference in prices?

[sushibones]

I have 4 Rubbermaid(?) lazy susans (should I take offense?) in one cabinet. One is for seasoned salt, garlic powder, a variety of flavors of Mrs Dash, and a variety of different kind of spicy blends. That's my generic throw-something-in- to-pep-it-up turntable. They're grouped by type: spicy, Mrs Dash, etc

Then I have a double tiered turntable with the regular spices/herbs. Those are alphabetical.

A third turntable has larger containers (think large cinnamon) and most of my whole spices: nutmeg, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cloves, crystallized ginger. They're just up there, willy-nilly.

The fourth turntable has things like liquid smoke, meat tenderizer (which I mostly use now for bee stings--came in very handy several times this summer), ground mustard, hungarian paprika, and my pepper grinder.

I have dated some of the jars/tins, but that's pretty depressing sometimes, so usually I don't. I wish I could say that I cook so much that my herbs and spices are always fresh, or that I actually use everything that's in my cabinet, but that would be fibbin'. On the other hand, knowing that my cabinet is full of nearly everything I might ever need gives me a great sense of peace and contentment. I get the same sense of pleasure looking at the hundreds of books in my 7' x 12' set of bookcases (a mere portion of the total number of books we own): memories of good times enjoyed, and anticipation of good things to come.

Re: spice prices. Our local albertson's puts all the spice island stuff on sale for 50% off once or twice a year. I try to stock up on then on the spices I use the most (definitely cumin and bay leaves and chili powder).



[This message has been edited by sushibones (edited 11-02-2000).]

[Beth]

Originally posted by kentgirl:
I didn't realize grocery store spices were overpriced. For those of you that buy your spices elsewhere, do you really see a difference in prices?

Yes. I buy a lot of spices in bulk in health food stores, at import stores, ethnic grocers and mail order (Penzey's and The Spice House). I started buying bulk to buy a small amount of something I needed for a special recipe. One thing led to another, and now about the only thing I buy at the grocery store is table salt. When I do look at spices in the grocery store, I suffer sticker shock. Like other things you might mail order, try to order several things to make the shiping charge worthwhile.

[lorilei]

kentgirl - Like Beth, I buy most of my spices at my local health food co-op, Penzeys and the SpiceHouse. I'm lucky enough to live close to both of the latter, so I've never had to mail order. Ethnicgrocer.com is also a good source for ethnic spices, most of which you can buy in plastic bags...

I've noticed a significant difference in the price of spices when buying them bulk. Penzey's also has a great variety of /types/ of spices... 3-4 different types of cinnamon, basil, oregano, etc. And if you don't live close enough to one of their stores, their mail order catalog is FULL of cool stuff and their delivery charge is reasonable! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[emilycat]

Speaking of spices, does anyone know where you can buy small amounts of saffron so you don't have to pay 15.99 for it??? All you Atlantans, do you know of any good resources?The new Whole Foods that's closest to where I live managed to "forget" to install a bulk spices section, so I'm out of luck there http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif Thanks! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lorilei]

You can buy small amounts of saffron at ethnicgrocer.com -- they have a pretty good variety, so you're sure to find something that appeals http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Here's a link: =http://www.ethnicgrocer.com]www.ethnicgrocer.com (http://=http://www.ethnicgrocer.com]www.ethnicgrocer.com)

Try doing a search using the word "saffron". Easy. Easy. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 11-03-2000).]