10
I was blending my own spice blends for a year before I did the math
Last month I finally added up what I spent on individual cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric from the bulk bin at my local co-op in Austin. I thought I was being smart avoiding pre-mixed jars. Turns out I was paying $3.50 per tiny bag and using half of it before it went stale anyway. Has anyone else realized a small store-bought jar of garam masala actually saves you cash in the long run?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
margaret_flores173mo ago
Girl, you are speaking my language. I did the exact same thing with my chili powder and cumin last year. Bought little bags from the bulk section thinking I was being so resourceful, only to dump half of it out after three months because it smelled like cardboard. I finally broke down and bought a standard jar of pre-mixed chili powder at H-E-B and it lasted me almost a year and cost less than those four little bags combined. Now I only buy whole spices in bulk if I know I'll use them up in a month, like for a big batch of pickles or something. Everything else I just grab the jar and call it good.
7
luna5191mo ago
Wait, wait. "It smelled like cardboard" got me. I literally had to pause and go back to read that twice because that is the most accurate description I've ever heard for stale spices. I've never been able to put my finger on that exact sad, dusty smell and now that you've said it, I can't un-smell it. That single phrase just validated every single bag of cumin I've ever thrown out in shame. You're right about the whole spices for pickles though, that's the only time I'll mess with bulk now too.
1