One way I save money is by buying high quality bulk spices of those I use often. When I see I’m going through a specific spice jar too often, I turn to buying in bulk. Cumin, Ceylon Cinnamon, Cayenne, and Thyme are some that I use more days than not. I just save the empty glass jar and refill it with the bag of bulk spice for ease of use. A funnel works great to fill the jars. The following contains spice tidbits along with high quality bulk spices + brands I use.
How Long Do Spices Last?
Ground spices last up to 2 years, but some can lose their potency and flavor beforehand. If you are unsure, take a sniff and see how potent it smells. You might also tell if you are adding the spice to a dish and have to add more than usual to get any flavor. It’s generally how I can tell. I’m not one to chuck it at two years if it’s still in my cabinet, but if it’s at year 3 (and still has a good enough scent), I’m making sure I use that spice up quickly. Whole dried herbs like thyme last 1-3 years and whole spices like whole cloves and cardamom pods that are not ground up stay fresher for longer – about 4 years. Of course, the fresher, the better, but as long as the spices are tightly sealed and stored, you can get some longevity out of them.
Why It’s Important To Buy Quality Spices
There is a whole lot of crap hidden behind many spices unfortunately. I’ve learned MSG, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, sugar, salt, flour and more are commonly hidden in spices without disclosure. Organic spices are supposed to be grown without chemicals and preservatives and are not fumigated or irradiated, but not every organic brand is fully pure either. Overall I just do my best to decipher between and buy quality spices, mostly organic. A few spices that I use like the Trader Joe’s Umami powder could be better quality I’m guessing, but I have not found a better one. If you have a good organic mushroom blend, let me know! I would absolutely buy better if I know of a better brand with similar flavor.
Benefits of Spices
Spices add so much to our food. When we eat a healthier diet or cut down on salt, we can really count on them to add more flavor. Some spices not only deliver on flavor, but can be warming, comforting, and provide us with many health benefits.
High Quality Bulk Spices + Brands
One brand I always trust is Simply Organics. While the spices are pricier than others due to quality, it might not be as high as it seems. I’ve noticed their jars have more ounces than many others. You can also buy them when they go on sale which is what I do unless I can’t wait. However, when I’m going through the jars fast, I turn to the bulk brands to save money and refill the empty jars. The following are my go-to brands I look to first to see if they offer a spice in bulk. I gave some spice examples I buy under each brand, but of course each brand offers more. I will say the seals on some of the bags after you open them are not the best. If bags don’t seal back up well, I’ll put them in large airtight jars. You may like the Jars + Storage section under my Amazon shop.
- Anthony’s
- Starwest Botanicals
- From Great Origins FGO
- Jiva Organics
- Frontier Coop Organic
- Terrasoul Superfoods
- Sunwarrior Organic Turmeric Root Powder – comes in an easy resealable container (container is made from recycled material and BPA free).
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