How To Get The Best Deal On Spices?

[questions]

Now that I cook at home even more, I've noticed the exorbitant amount
I pay for spices (things other than salt and pepper).

Are there any options/alternatives people can choose from to buy spices? Online vs mom & pop stores vs big box grocers. Where are the best deals and how do you reduce the costs involved when purchasing spices?

[threebeansalad]

Try Penzeys.com if you want high quality spices at a modest (but not cheap) price. If you're not really into food and just looking for the basics, try CVS-- they have their own line of spices which cost ~$1 / jar. Also try the Dollar Tree, and at the grocery store, look at the very bottom of the shelf for the "Spice Classics" brand. Spice Classics doesn't have a huge variety (ie no Tumeric, rosemary, etc.) but for basics like oregano, basil, garlic salt, etc the price is ~ $ 1 / bottle.

Depending on what your current supply is, you might consider buying a spice rack that comes with filled jars. You can find these at someplace like a department store or Bed Bath and Beyond. I got one for less than $20. I was worried that the spices might be old, but everything seemed OK by my standards.

McCormick and Spice Islands have coupons in the Sunday paper from time to time, as well. Happy cooking! I agree that buying spices gets pricey, but once you have a collection, you'll be all set.

[Daylily]

Try a natural health food store. They usually sell spices in bulk. You can buy just a small amount for a recipe of a spice that you won't use often rather than buying a whole jar full.

[tinapbeana]

big lots in my area usually sells spices.

if there are things you use a lot of, or have friends/family who would be willing to split it with you, consider buying in bulk from http://www.frontiercoop.com/

for instance, you can get a
16 oz Foil Bag of Cinnamon Powder A grade $8.60 ($0.54 per ounce)
16 oz Foil Bag Rosemary Leaf Powder $8.60 ($0.54 per ounce)
16 oz Foil Bag Garlic Granules $8.30 ($0.52 per ounce)

most of the bottles at dollar tree are a half ounce for $1, or $2 per ounce, so buying this way and splitting it up with a few folks can save you significant money if you're looking to stock....

[PRICEPLUS]

I buy spices in bulk from the the Atlantic Spice Company. I use cinnamon in my coffee, oatmeal, and a number of other dishes so I buy it by the pound.

www.atlanticspice.com

[Staceyy]

The San Francisco Herb Company sells spices in bulk.

[ThriftyChick]

I purchase most of my spices in the bulk section of Fred Meyer -- it's soooo much cheaper. They provide small plastic bags to put the spices in so you can buy just a small amount. It's great for dried spices like bay leaves, dill, oregano, and basil since they're so light in weight. I bought some chili powder once and it wasn't a great savings since the chili powder was pretty heavy in weight. If you don't have a Fred Meyer in your area, I think most health food stores have a bulk spice section with reasonable prices.

[fairy74]

Go to a Mexican (or Chinese or middle eastern store) spices are higher quality and way, way cheaper!

[boefixepa]

Ethnic stores are a great buy and hands down Sam's Club wins in my area. I cook lots from scratch so I use alot of spices. They have the lowest per oz price I can find. You do have to buy a large container, but they last. Plus their secletion of spices is 4 times that of costco. I've never had spices 'go bad'. Also I grow some herbs that I use often. Oregeno, rosemary, thyme, chives, and a few others. I've really enjoyed that and have found I really like fresh rosemary bread! They are simple plants to maintain and they live forever as long as they have sunshine and water.

[LuckyRobin]

I grow most of mine, and they are very easy. Most can be grown in pots on your porch or or in a sunny window. The easiest ones to grow are oregano, lemon balm, mint, marjoram, sage, rosemary, cilantro, coriander, parsley, paprika, lovage, borage, salsify, summer savory, winter savory, chammomile, dill and thyme.

Seed packets can be had as cheaply as 4/$1.00 and most of the above self seed year to year, or don't die down in places with winters that don't get colder than 9 or 10 degrees F.

[ozzy gurl]

Ethnic stores are your best bets, but Wal-Mart is cheaper than any grocery store if you don't have any near you, or you can't find what you're looking for in there.

When I get my own place, I'll be growing my own. I can't wait!

Look in the ethnic section of your grocery. There is usually a section for spices that hang in plastic bags or in bigger containers. It is two aisles over in my grocery and the prices are much cheaper!

[trillium]

I've bought in bulk from a kitchen supply store.

[PRICEPLUS]

I am still working on the three pounds of Cinammon I bought.

[Aleta]

If you're not going to use them up in time, it is best to buy in the ethnic aisles. They're in smaller packages and a lot cheaper than their bottled ones. Name brands are BADIA. I buy cinnamon sticks like this as well. For more often used, I like Walmart's prices.

[Scanner]

Dollar store.

[th_tan]

I've been buying spices from $3-$6 a bottle at super markets, and it does take a toll after awhile. I think I'll try cvs next as mentioned above.

[Nikki Sixx]

Only problem with buying spices in bulk is according to the people at the food network and other cooking shows I watch spices lose much of their flavor after 1 year

[leggzz66]

if you use tupperwares spice containers, they have a longer shelf life. im sure rubbermaid has thier own version also.

[howk055]

kilcher - Thanks! I'm trying to keep it updated now that I'm back on this site. How's the wedding planning going? Are you having fun?