ISO: Your opinions on buying spices/seasonings

[SandyM]

I started the cinnamon thread, saying I had purchased Vietnamese cinnamon from King Arthur Flour and how awesome it was. It just got me thinking about the rest of the spices in my possession now, and how ready I am to just pitch them in the trash and start over! I just wonder - is everything better when it's purchased from Penzeys or King Arthur? Oregano? Cilantro? Peppercorns? I'll pay extra for shipping if I know I'm getting a better product. Thanks everyone.

[Grace]

I would have to say that everything from King Arthur's and Penzey's (in the way of spices) would be better than anything you could get at your local grocery store. Also, they are MUCH less expensive (the grocery store charges over $3 usually for those little plastic bottles - Penzey's is usually half that for the same size bottle). Anyhow, that combined with the fact that you don't pay tax on the website, and you do in the store, even with shipping and handling, I'd say you'd probably come out paying LESS! But like you said, even if it is more, I'd be willing to pay for it too, since it makes such a difference in your finished product. I buy everything at Penzey's, just because there is a store here in our area. But if there weren't, I'd be on the website all the time ordering everything!

[SandyM]

Thanks Grace. Somehow I got on the Penzeys snail mail mailing list, but I got so confused looking through it - I mean, how many kinds of vanilla can one possibly need? However, I will now pay closer attention and re-stock my stash.

[JodiL]

I recently received both Penzeys and Spice House catalogs and was thinking about placing an order. I was just wondering if you usually get the glass bottles, or the plastic ones? They don't really have good pictures and I wondered which was best...

Also, can you recommend some good spice mixes? They have a lot of "custom" spice mixes that look good.

Thanks for the advice http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lorilei]

Jodi -

I'm not a big "spice mix" person, as I prefer to mix up my own or use the "add as needed" approach...

HOWEVER - I will recommend the Penzey's/Spice House rib rubs hands down. They're excellent for grilling in the summertime and great for roasts and baked meats in the winter.

I've traditionally purchased the glass jars for my spices -- I like keeping my spice cupboard uniform and (to me) my spices seem to stay fresher longer in good glass jars.

[Ohioan]

Jodi, I usually like to mix my own, too, but I can recommend the Penzey's Sunny Paris mix, which I believe contains shallots, chervil, tarragon, and a couple of other things. I use it mostly in salads, steeping it in the vinegar before I mix the dressing.

As for the jars, I usually get the glass jars for things I use a lot of, and the plastic jars for things I use just a pinch of here and there -- especially when I'm running out of space and have to stack jars. Someone here said recently that she doesn't like paying for jars each time, but I often wash out the old jars and reuse them for holding bits and scraps of things, like chopped parsley, shaved cheese, slivered almonds, and (believe it or not) paper clips!

Cheers, Phoebe

[JodiL]

Thanks guys.

So, are the plastic jars the same shape as the glass ones? From the pictures, it looks like the glass jars are like the McCormick seasoning jars (more vertical in shape). But it sounds like the plastic ones are smaller. (I'm sorry, it would appear that my anal compulsive side is coming out http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif)

Also, thanks for the spice mix recommendations. I've also heard good things about the bicentennial rub...i'll probably just buy a few and experiment!

Jodi

[Beth]

I thought the question was whether Penzey's ships in glass or plastic jars. The spices that are not in bulk are shipped in plastic 1/4 cup jars or galss 1/2 cup sizes. The 1/2 cup is about the average spice jar size. They also sell glass jars separately.

I use glass jars for most of my spices. They stay fresher in glass, you can see them better, and it does keep things more standardized. You might want to check a Cost Plus, Crate & Barrel, Container Store, local health food store that sells items in bulk to see if they have glass jars for less. Also, that way you wouldn't have the possibility of broken jars in your shipment (I'm sure they pack carefully, but my experience is that UPS and others get brutal as the temps come on for the holidays), and you can have the jars washed and waiting to be filled when the spices arrive.

If replacing everything seems a bit daunting, figure out a plan for replacing the most used, the emptiest, the oldest and working from there. If you're buying jars and spices all at once, it may seem like a lot, but the spices alone will be fresher, probably better quality and less expensive. You might have a friend who'd be interested in splitting shipping charges on an order.

I never had blends until the Penzey's catalog tempted me, and I've found that a few a very handy shortcuts. We use pasta sprinkle (alone with just a touch of olive oil, butter or chicken broth or as a base for sauces), Bangkok Blend (jazzes up Peanutty Noodles and stir fries), California Seasoned Pepper (in a shaker along with the black pepper grinder), and Bicentennial Rub (for roasted chicken and turkey, even makes the gravy tasty).

I'm almost afraid to check out King Arthur, but I will have to after reading they carry more than the flours my grocery store sells. There are worse habits.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 10-17-2000).]

[JodiL]

Thanks Beth. I think I've decided to go ahead and get the glass jars. In fact...I'm looking through their catalog right now at work http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif. LOL, the things I do for good cooking!

Jodi

[Wienie]

Originally posted by JodiL:
I recently received both Penzeys and Spice House catalogs and was thinking about placing an order. I was just wondering if you usually get the glass bottles, or the plastic ones? They don't really have good pictures and I wondered which was best...

Also, can you recommend some good spice mixes? They have a lot of "custom" spice mixes that look good.

Thanks for the advice http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

JodiL,
If you do a "search" on the BB for Penzeys Spices (9/22/00) I responded with a list of my favorite spice blends and what I use them for.
Hope this give you some good ideas.
Wienie

[Tiger]

I just ordered Penzey's and King Arthur catalogs. My girlfriend's brother is a chef and he always says the spices you use are the most important in making the recipe the best it can be. Are Penzey's spices really better than the ones in the grocery store? I never considered buying them anywhere else.
Does anyone have a trick for storing and organizing your spices? I have one turntable but it still takes me forever to find them.

[Lynn B]

oops! duplicate post! crazy computer... sorry!

[This message has been edited by Lynn B (edited 02-04-2001).]

[Lynn B]

good grief... having some serious technical trouble over here!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Lynn B (edited 02-04-2001).]

[Lynn B]

Tiger,

I alphabetize my spices in my corner (lazy susan-type) kitchen cabinet. Not TOTALLY alphabetized http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif but "loosely" so! (All the "A"s are together, the "B"s, etc. --but the cinnamon MIGHT be before the cardamom!) Anyway, it works pretty good (at least narrows the search!) -- although DH and DD don't seem to know their ABC's!!!
I will be eager to hear if anyone has any better ideas/suggestions! Great question!

Lynn

PS Could someone please post the 800#s for King Arthurs, Penzeys & Spice House? I would love to call and request their catalogs. Apparently I am one of the few cooks in the western world not on their mailing lists! THANKS!

[DanaSD]

http://www.penzeys.com

you can request a catalog from their website.

I love their Sate seasoning - sprinkle on chicken strips, throw them on a grill pan and make a salad - easy dinner.

I also love their vanilla - it smells so good.

[SusanL]

Lynn B -thank you for admitting your organization of spices on your lazy susan. My brother comes to my house and reorganizes my spices there to see if I will notice! The spices I use most frequently are on the top shelf when you open it, the rest are all loosely alphabeltized for convenience. My DH never goes there but continues to laugh and encourage my sneaky but sweet brother. He thinks that I am too anal, having never heard of anyone organizing their spices like that! It is the family joke! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[Joyce]

Funny I should see this thread this morning. I just went to the Corning/Revere outlet this weekend and they have great LARGE glass jars at $1.00 and smaller ones at 6 for $3.99. I bought a bunch for my Penzey spices. Actually I bought 48 of the small ones, and I am going to have DH build a bookcase type spice cabinet to go around the corner of my counter so everything will be handy. If any of you are near Corning outlets, I understand they have these all the time.

[Kelli Kerrigan]

One of my most favorite things in the world is spices!!! (I haven't met one I didn't like yet!) I have been a customer of the Spice House for gosh, at least 8 years. When I first started shopping them I'd drive up to Milwaukee, but now they have stores in Chicago. They also have a website www.thespicehouse.com. (http://www.thespicehouse.com.) Penzy's and the Spice House are related.....parents started it YEARS ago. I buy all my stuff there and have been giving it as gifts to everyone. They grind spices there daily, so its tons better then the grocery store stuff. I make all my own curries with whole spices from them that I toast and grind. Boy does it make a difference. They would be happy to send a catalog, visit the website or call 847-328-3711. Try the Herbs De Provence sprinkled on hash browns with a little chopped apple....Yum!!!! The chip dip mix is great too-- makes fat-free sour cream even taste good. Now I'm hungry...... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I could go on forever. Good luck restocking!

[Lynn B]

Thanks all for the great information! I'm off to call for catalogs...
WOO HOO! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Lynn B]

Uh oh! The web site, "www.thespicehouse" doesn't work?! "No such URL could be found"?!! I even tried just "www.spicehouse" and got a... <ahem> ... porn site! REALLY! HELP!!!

Also, does anyone have a # or web address for King Arthur's Flour?

Thanks!
Lynn

[Beth]

Originally posted by Lynn B:
Uh oh! The web site, "www.thespicehouse" doesn't work?! "No such URL could be found"?!! I even tried just "www.spicehouse" and got a... <ahem> ... porn site! REALLY! HELP!!!

Also, does anyone have a # or web address for King Arthur's Flour?

Thanks!
Lynn

Lynn, I found the "Spice House" site the first time I looked too. I didn't get the above link to work, but I did a search and found where Gail had posted it as http://www.thespicehouse.com/ and it worked when I clicked on that. King Arthur Flour's site is www.BakersCatalogue.com (http://www.BakersCatalogue.com) and the 800 # is 1-800-827-6836. Hope that helps.

[Kelli Kerrigan]

The site needs "The" in it, unless you get that 'kind' of site.Sorry!!www.thespicehouse.com It should work

[Curleytop]

I go to Cost+ and get some of my whole spices there. They are in little plastic bags, and you can put them in glass jars (which they also sell for $1.00). I get dried basil, thyme etc.
Take a look in Whole Foods as well. I buy
poppy seed there, in a bag, for very little money. It is very expensive elsewhere.

[This message has been edited by Curleytop (edited 02-05-2001).]

[Lynn B]

Beth,
THANKS! I got it to work from your link. I DO NOT know what in the world went wrong the first time. (Kelli, I did have the "the"!) I swear this computer has a gremlin! Anyway - I'm off now to check out the web sites... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Thanks again to all!
Lynn

[Tiger]

I checked out the King Arthur's site. You can buy a lb. of yeast! they say you can freeze it. I wonder how long it lasts?
Does anyone order from here? What's your favorite products?