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    Whole spices + cheap coffee grinder = savings

    Spices are one of the most expensive ingredients (per unit weight) that most people use, but unfortunately ground spices don't last very long. Sources vary in their recommendations–McCormick says ground spices fade in 2-4 years, whole spices in 3-4 years. Bon Appetit recommends replacing ground spices every three months (!!) and whole spices every 8-10 months. (I can't imagine many people are throwing spices away that often, except maybe professional chefs.)

    But my point is–whole spices last longer than ground. A couple years ago I got a cheap coffee grinder (for free! from my local Buy Nothing group), and it has greatly improved my spice game, and is saving money and reducing waste.

    I still have some ground spices around that my husband likes to use or that seem like they last relatively longer (cloves for example). But for most spices, I just grind what I need, give the grinder a quick wipe, and have better-tasting food.

    Whole spices + cheap coffee grinder = savings
    byu/TheCrabappleCart inFrugal



    Posted by TheCrabappleCart

    7 Comments

    1. Beginning-Row5959 on

      Agreed that having a spice grinder is great. I’ve burned out multiple cheap ones over the years so I invested in a nicer one last time – fingers crossed this one lasts longer. I mix up my own spice blends, too, like seasoned salt, pumpkin pie spice, pickling spice, curry powders, and chili powder

    2. sbinjax on

      Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers can stretch that to 5-10 years. I buy my spices in mylar bags and reseal them after taking some portions out.

    3. djn3vacat on

      Another option is cleaning out old glass spice containers and going to your natural food store for bulk spices! Way cheaper.

    4. Tasty_Impress3016 on

      Exactly!

      Honestly the Bon Appetit estimate is closest to reality. Whole spices and grind as you go is far superior. But your last line should be emphasized. It tastes much better. You are buying spices and herbs for flavor. Why do you not want the best you can get. I can think of only a few spices that you can not buy whole. The little electric grinders work great.

      Here’s a Mr. Wizard at-home experiment. Dig that blue tin of ground pepper that says it expires sometime this decade out of the cupboard. Get some black peppercorns whole and whiz them in the grinder. Compare the smells and the taste. ‘Nuff said.

    5. MrBreffas on

      How do you clean the grinder between uses? I have one, and it takes forever to get it really cleaned up because you can’t wash it — and I don’t want my baking spices tasting like Sichuan peppercorns.

    6. BirdSwimming7462 on

      Bonus, you can toast your spices before grinding for bonus punch. Just 30 seconds to a minute on a dry hot pan and they’ll be more fragrant.

      I will caveat that my spice grinders dont always last super long due to the cheapness. I’ve had a few self obliterate when given cinnamon chunks or other bigger pieces to work on. But, luckily theyre only like 15 bucks

      Like you, I also use a quick wipe out to clean. Since nothing gross is in them, they dont frequently need a full wash, but on occasion after something super pungent that I dont want getting in other foods (thinking white or sichuan pepper, or chilies) I’ll take a damp soapy sponge to it and then wipe out with a clean damp rag.

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