If you do not have older spice bottles, look at places like the "as is" Goodwill store, use baby jars that are cleaned, or check freecycle or other local recycling places!
It's easy to make "tags" for your new spice containers. I use "season greetings" tabs I got for a dime at a yard sale and they work great! You can easily "make" your own from blank paper, old envelopes, piece of typing paper, etc. Simply put on with scotch tape. This way the spices and herbs are used quickly and don't have the time to get "old" on you!
Also if you come across an excellent buy, but aren't sure how you would ever use that much say, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice,. you can give to others to use.
I found out about checking out Asian markets when checking recipes online
By MzScarlett from Medford, Oregon
By
11/06/2010
Forgot to mention. When you change out spices or update them, set the old ones out for air fresheners. Stale cloves, ginger, pie spice, etc. I freshen every couple years if in my cupboard. I keep them in a dark place.
By
11/06/2010
I belong to a food co-op and that small amount or larger amount is your choice.
My husband's work place was doing lab samples of a solution used in their equipment. Well, cases of 4 oz jars with lids, all came my way when they changed procedures. These were the same jars I would buy for my spices. Free.
Frequently used spices go in the cupboard, others I pop into the freezer, especially if expensive ones used. Some of my spice I buy in quart sized quantities for use (cinnamon, basil, It seasoning, etc) and they last a long time. Make sure to mark them unless you are sure you can tell. I also buy baking powder a quart at a time and freeze it.
By
11/06/2010
I wish i could find that option here, but agree, less is more when it comes to spices because it becomes almost tasteless in less time than most think. I do use the whole nutmeg because of that, and grate off just what I need. What a taste blast after using stuff ground who knows when, and maybe on my shelf way too long. Of course I try to grow a couple varieties of basil, and grew greek oregano this year, not spices, but still lose flavor with time. So mine is fresh frozen. Glad you spoke up when so many talk about buying in bulk. Loretta from AL
By
11/05/2010
When we moved to Houston in the early 80s I took a Smuckers grape jelly jar and cut the label of a salt box and scotch taped it to the side. I still have my salt protected from the Houston humidity in a jar with the purple and white gingham checked lid. Smuckers used to have a lid with just the checks and no name or anything written on top. Scotch tape will hold a label in place till you remove it. Great for thrifty funners.
Below you can read previous posts and comments about this topic. The discussions on this page have been archived 3 times. Select a discussion and read the feedback here.
(Archived Nov 30, 2009)Saving Money on Spices
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By AuntyB
If you go to the grocery store, you have to buy a jar of the spice. Then the spice will probably sit in your cupboard for years before you will be able to use that amount.
Buying bulk will give you the ability to buy as little as a few teaspoons at a time and you'll always be able to have FRESH spices in your cupboard. Just compare the prices, you'll be amazed at the money you save by buying at the bulk store.
By Mikki
By thriftsavvy
By GH in OK
Pure garlic powder, 7 dollars a pound instead of 4 dollars for a 4 ounce bottle. Salt-free "Mrs. Dash" type seasoning, 7 dollars a pound instead of three dollars for an ounce and a half. Whole black pepper for pepper grinders, 7 and a half dollars a pound instead of...
Too much for your own use? Split the cost and the spices with a friend.
By Speedwell
Get together with some friends and order them by mail order from http://www.bulkfoods.com, so that you get them very inexpensively, plus you don't have to drive anywhere to get them.By teachpad
By Shirley
By Megan's mom
Jess in Portland, OR
Never buy spices at the grocery store. You have no way to know how long those spices have been on the shelf and the staff will not know anything about them, nor can you buy small amounts. Scout out local co-ops and health food stores that have a bulk spice area where the spices are sold fast enough to keep them fresh and the help should be able to help you with questions you may have and may even share a favorite recipe with you. Ask your friends where they shop for spices and ask questions at the stores too about the age of the spices where they came from, etc.
Grow your own. Few will be able to grow a nutmeg tree but you can easily grow basil, chives and many others in your yard in the summer months, on a bright window shelf or under lights in the winter.
Freeze or dry your extra harvest for later use. Freezing fresh herbs like basil in a little water will keep a lot of the color and flavor too. Put your herbs chopped in a ice cube tray with enough water to cover, freeze and you will have "fresh" basil whenever you need it.
By Denise
Feedback:
Mexican Spice Mix Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions Combine all and mix well. Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place up to four months.
Fines Herbes Seasoning Mix Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Fresh herbs: Chop finely and combine. Because these herbs quickly lose their flavor when heated, add to the cooked dish at the end of the cooking process.
Dried herbs: Combine dried herbs in equal proportions. Place in a glass airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to four months
Herb Salt Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Combine dried herbs and spices and mix well. Place in a glass airtight container and store in a cool, dark place up to four months. Use on all types of savory foods. Yield: about 1/3 cup months.
Poultry seasoning mix
A Little Italian Seasoning
In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the ingredients. Process for 30 seconds until finely ground. Transfer to a tightly sealed container, label, and date. Store in a cool dark place for up to 3 months (01/26/2007)
If you do a lot of cooking, then buying the more common spices in bulk is perhaps prudent. (01/26/2007)
By Debbie52
I drive 50 miles (ok, I visit my Grandfather too) to go to a health food store in Santa Cruz, CA that sells bulk vanilla, it's cheaper than those nearly $10 bottles of Real Vanilla in the grocery store and SO good, my daughter and I use it in lots of things. We always buy tons of bags while there, new things to try (can't beat the bulk bins for that) and to add to our spice cabinet. Sometimes the stores even have bottles that you can fill right there (ex. for vanilla, pb, honey and sometimes even spices). Coming from my Mom whom is a chef at a "Nuts and Granola" college in AZ, I've learned the value of good spices, drying takes some of the punch, but AGE takes a LOT of it. Buy often and you'll be surprised at the difference you'll see in your foods! (01/27/2007)
By michawnpita
By jessie
By Sue
In a month, you'll have mild vanilla flavor - three months for strong. It keeps till the brandy's gone and keeps getting stronger. Use it just like real vanilla extract in your recipes. The alcohol bakes out. (11/12/2007)
By 4libros
(Archived Nov 04, 2010)Saving Money on Spices
By CaroleW from Indiana
Feedback:
I'm a little iffy on the Dollar Store/ Big Lots spices - have tried both and they seemed to have a shorter shelf life to me. You've gotta remember that these big-big-box stores often don't pass along savings to customers just by being able to buy in large quantities; a lot of times you're getting a deal because they got a deal on almost-ready-to-expire stuff - or lesser quality items. ( Saying this from experience - I was a retail manager for 25 years).
The Hispanic cello packet spices are also generally offered in smaller quantity than the mainstream spices; the advantage to this is that if it's an occasionally used spice, your chances of using it up while still at its peak - six months, tightly capped or sealed - are better. (01/29/2010)
By PupperMom
(Archived Jan 29, 2010)Saving Money on Spices
The Hispanic Food section for cinnamon and oregano and other spices can save you at least $1.00, and probably more.
Source: Always checking the bottom line and being frugal (cheap)!
By meoowmom from Columbia, MO
Feedback:
By Deeli
The spices were the best! I still have some of the peppers and now that we can get a lot of Mexican products here in Alabama and Georgia that were in AZ. I am now able to afford all the spices I love to keep on hand again now! (12/01/2009)
By Bama_Jypsy1
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