A local market carries spices and dried herbs in bulk, and I'd like to
restock my spice drawer with fresh stuff.

Some spices I use very infrequently and I don't like the idea of
having to buy a whole new jar of something just because I need a half
a teaspoon. So this way I can buy only what I need, and not have a
whole container going to waste.

So my question is, what would be the best kind of container in which
to store spices? Glass, plastic or metal?

Cathy

cathy wrote:
> A local market carries spices and dried herbs in bulk, and I'd like to
> restock my spice drawer with fresh stuff.
>
> Some spices I use very infrequently and I don't like the idea of
> having to buy a whole new jar of something just because I need a half
> a teaspoon. So this way I can buy only what I need, and not have a
> whole container going to waste.
>
> So my question is, what would be the best kind of container in which
> to store spices? Glass, plastic or metal?
>
> Cathy

Spices and herbs should always be stored in a cool, dark place
(sunlight has a very bad effect on spices & herbs).
Containers should be non-porous, with tight fitting lids so the
volatile oils can't escape and air & moisture can't penetrate. Buy
spices/herbs in glass, never cellophane - which breaks down and
'breathes' which is not good for the product. Heavy duty polythene bags
are OK though, so I'm lead to believe.
Whole spices retain more of their essential oils & flavour, so if
possible buy whole seeds, pods, sticks etc.
I use the small (100g) Mocchona jars, or jars with tight fitting screw
on lids, or stainless steel cannisters (small).

LadyJane
--
"Never trust a skinny cook!"

LadyJane wrote:
> cathy wrote:
>
>> A local market carries spices and dried herbs in bulk, and I'd like to
>> restock my spice drawer with fresh stuff.
>>
>> Some spices I use very infrequently and I don't like the idea of
>> having to buy a whole new jar of something just because I need a half
>> a teaspoon. So this way I can buy only what I need, and not have a
>> whole container going to waste.
>>
>> So my question is, what would be the best kind of container in which
>> to store spices? Glass, plastic or metal?
>>
>> Cathy
>>
>
> Spices and herbs should always be stored in a cool, dark place
> (sunlight has a very bad effect on spices & herbs).
> Containers should be non-porous, with tight fitting lids so the
> volatile oils can't escape and air & moisture can't penetrate. Buy
> spices/herbs in glass, never cellophane - which breaks down and
> 'breathes' which is not good for the product. Heavy duty polythene bags
> are OK though, so I'm lead to believe.
> Whole spices retain more of their essential oils & flavour, so if
> possible buy whole seeds, pods, sticks etc.
> I use the small (100g) Mocchona jars, or jars with tight fitting screw
> on lids, or stainless steel cannisters (small).
>
> LadyJane
> --
> "Never trust a skinny cook!"
>
>
I buy most of mine nowadays from Herbies, and they come in those nifty
resealable plastic bags. I keep them in a cupboard in a couple of little
plastic box thingies. I keep the nutmegs in a little Moccona jar, and
the dry mustard and curry powder comes in little tins already.

Christine

cathy > wrote in
:

> A local market carries spices and dried herbs in bulk, and I'd
> like to restock my spice drawer with fresh stuff.
>
> Some spices I use very infrequently and I don't like the idea
> of having to buy a whole new jar of something just because I
> need a half a teaspoon. So this way I can buy only what I
> need, and not have a whole container going to waste.
>
> So my question is, what would be the best kind of container in
> which to store spices? Glass, plastic or metal?
>
> Cathy

I freeze mine in their original jars, small baggies or tiny
plactic containers.

sandi wrote:
> cathy > wrote in
> :
>
> > A local market carries spices and dried herbs in bulk, and I'd
> > like to restock my spice drawer with fresh stuff.
> >
> > Some spices I use very infrequently and I don't like the idea
> > of having to buy a whole new jar of something just because I
> > need a half a teaspoon. So this way I can buy only what I
> > need, and not have a whole container going to waste.
> >
> > So my question is, what would be the best kind of container in
> > which to store spices? Glass, plastic or metal?
> >
> > Cathy
>
> I freeze mine in their original jars, small baggies or tiny
> plactic containers.


Dark jars that block the light and that can be sealed airtight.
Freezing is good as long as you keep it air (and moisture) tight.

Aloha!

Barb