[tadghostal]

One of the valuable tips I learned from someone (maybe Alton Brown, but probably someone else)...

When you have a choice between whole nut/seed spices vs ground, opt for the whole and grind it yourself.

These last longer, and impart stronger/fresher tastes when used.

Whole Nutmeg vs ground, Peppercorns vs ground pepper, Cinnamon sticks vs ground, cumin seed vs ground cumin, etc, etc.

Additionally, several spices can be roasted first, then ground, giving different, more unique, and often better flavors. This is especially the case with cumin.

 

[stickshift]

I certainly do this with pepper but I haven't gotten to the point where I do it with any other item. And roasting them? I have a long way to go.

I don't drink coffee so I've never had the tool around to try it but I've heard a coffee bean grinder works really well for grinding your own spices.

 

[tadghostal]

I certainly do this with pepper but I haven't gotten to the point where I do it with any other item. And roasting them? I have a long way to go.

I don't drink coffee so I've never had the tool around to try it but I've heard a coffee bean grinder works really well for grinding your own spices.

I certainly do this with pepper but I haven't gotten to the point where I do it with any other item. And roasting them? I have a long way to go.

I don't drink coffee so I've never had the tool around to try it but I've heard a coffee bean grinder works really well for grinding your own spices.

Of course roasting only applies to certain ones. Most spices, like peppercorn, don’t need to be.
I do use a cheap mr coffee grinder for some spices. For larger things like nutmegs, I use l little cheese grater like this one
https://a.co/d/8w12xb5

 

[Wooleybooger]

Yeah I do that with seeds such as cumin. Roast them and grind with a Mr. Coffee grinder.

 

[tadghostal]

Yeah I do that with seeds such as cumin. Roast them and grind with a Mr. Coffee grinder.

<fist bump>

 

[Wooleybooger]

<fist bump>

Back at cha.

 

[Roll_Bones]

Yep whole spices. Toasting then grinding them as well. I keep all my spices in the fridge. Seems to keep them fresher longer.

 

[Steve-o]

When you have a choice between whole nut/seed spices vs ground, opt for the whole and grind it yourself.

[snip]

Additionally, several spices can be roasted first, then ground, giving different, more unique, and often better flavors.

Excellent point!

I actually learned that in an (southeast Asian) Indian cooking class. The instructor (Raghavan Iyer, before he became known as a cookbook author) passed around cumin, in its whole form, ground, freshly ground, and whole but roasted. It was easy to pick up different aspects of the spice. He then did the same with a few other spices frequently used in Indian cooking. I'm a convert and have adopted that technique in other cuisines.

And I have a spare coffee grinder used only for grinding spices. Still takes a lot of rice to clear it out between mixtures, but you've got to do it or eventually every spice mixture will smell the same.

 

[tadghostal]

Excellent point!

I actually learned that in an (southeast Asian) Indian cooking class. The instructor (Raghavan Iyer, before he became known as a cookbook author) passed around cumin, in its whole form, ground, freshly ground, and whole but roasted. It was easy to pick up different aspects of the spice. He then did the same with a few other spices frequently used in Indian cooking. I'm a convert and have adopted that technique in other cuisines.

And I have a spare coffee grinder used only for grinding spices. Still takes a lot of rice to clear it out between mixtures, but you've got to do it or eventually every spice mixture will smell the same.

Hey I love the rice idea for cleaning! I’ve never heard of that, and cleaning out the previous spice from my poor old mr coffee spice grinder has really been the only downside. Thanks for that!

 

[PickyPrincess]

What is y'all's source for whole spices? Just whatever you find on the grocery store shelves, or is there a better/fresher option?

 

[Wooleybooger]

I got a 2 lb. bag of cumin at a Fiesta grocery in Houston many, many, many years ago. Put the seeds in a Rubbermaid container and they've stayed good. Still have some and they seem like they were when I bought them. Lately I've bought bulk seeds on Amazon and Webstaurant Supply. I bought bulk marjoram and thyme from an Amazon seller, bad buy. I'd say the herbs grow them yourself and use fresh or dehydrate them yourself.

 

[Steve-o]

I think there almost always are fresher option than grocery stores, at least if you live in a moderate-sized metro area (as I do).

For spices I don't use often, I buy just the amount I need from the bulk containers at my local food co-op. Teaspoon of tarragon? No problem.

For spices I use much more often or in larger quantities, I find they're fresher and cheaper at markets that cater to a cuisine that uses them. I've gotten more into Indian cooking; buying cumin and fenugreek and turmeric at the Indian grocery, even in the multiple-ounce packages they sell there, is much less expensive than buying them in that quantity at the co-op or grocery store. Of course, I live in a metro area that can support several Indian grocers (as well as several Asian supermarkets and markets dotting the landscape that serve Filipino or Russian or Swedish or Latin populations) so the inventory turns over regularly.

For what's left or for a few specialty items I haven't found elsewhere, there's Penzeys (we have a couple in town) or Spice House (for when I don't want to deal with strident company owners).

 

[Wooleybooger]

Yeah Spice House that's it. I bought some spice mixtures from them years ago and had forgotten all about them. Agree on the ethnic stores.

 

[Roll_Bones]

What is y'all's source for whole spices? Just whatever you find on the grocery store shelves, or is there a better/fresher option?

I buy mostly online with so so results. Rani seems to be good.
I bought some Aleppo pepper recently and I'm not sure if its good or not? It has no aroma and I tasted it and it had no taste or any heat all all. I know its supposed to be very mellow and not hot, but I'm thinking its old as Moses. No date on the package either.
What do you guys think?

 

[Steve-o]

If it has no taste and no heat, I'd compost it and buy fresh.